the ocicat, reviewed
that is my verdict. now see if you can even recognise this breed →
The Ocicat is the great bluff of the cat world: it wears the spotted coat of a wild ocelot and has not a drop of wild blood in it. It was built entirely from domestic breeds, and underneath the jungle costume is a sociable, athletic, dog-like cat that wants to be involved in everything. It scores highly for looks and personality, and loses fluff points for having almost none. Here is the honest review.
Origin: The United States, an accidental cross of Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair.
Size: Medium to large, athletic and muscular, heavier than it looks.
Coat: Short, smooth and satiny, with distinctive scattered spots in several colours.
Temperament: Active, confident, social and dog-like. Trainable and deeply people-oriented.
Lifespan: Around 12 to 18 years, generally a robust breed.
Good for: Active homes wanting an involved, playful cat and the wild look without the wild animal.
what is an ocicat
The Ocicat was created by accident. A breeder crossing Abyssinians and Siamese produced a spotted kitten, and the look was so striking that a new breed was built around it, later adding the American Shorthair for substance and silver colouring. So despite the ocelot name and the leopard-spotted coat, the Ocicat is one hundred percent domestic, with no wild ancestry at all. It is a triumph of costume over content, and that is meant as a compliment.
temperament: a dog in a wildcat suit
Behind the exotic coat is one of the most sociable, extroverted cats you can own. The Ocicat is confident, energetic and endlessly involved, following you room to room, greeting visitors rather than hiding from them, and taking readily to tricks, harness walks and even fetch. It bonds hard to its people and does not enjoy being left alone for long stretches, so it does best with company, human or feline. This is not a cat that decorates a shelf. It is a cat that participates.
care and health, the honest part
The short satiny coat needs almost nothing, an occasional wipe and it gleams. On health the Ocicat is generally sound and hardy, benefiting from a broad genetic base, though because of its Abyssinian and Siamese heritage it can carry a small risk of certain inherited conditions, and responsible breeders screen for them. Its real requirement is not medical but social: an Ocicat left bored and lonely becomes a destructive, unhappy cat, so the honest health note here is that its mind needs feeding as much as its body.
is an ocicat right for you
If you want the drama of a wild-looking cat with the temperament of a devoted, trainable companion, and you can give it company and activity, the Ocicat is a wonderful choice. If you want a placid ornament that entertains itself, look elsewhere, because this cat will find you and insist on being entertained together.
the chairman's verdict
Eighty. The Ocicat pulls off a magnificent con, all the glamour of a spotted wildcat wrapped around the soul of a friendly, needy dog. It forfeits points only for the flat coat and the demands on your time. Deliver the attention and you will not find a more engaging cat in fancy dress.
Ocicat or ordinary spotted moggy, upload a photo and get your own cat rated across all five categories. Free.
rate your catRelated reading from my desk: the Abyssinian and Siamese that helped build it, and more in the cat breeds guide.
Scores are the Chairman's opinion, offered in good fun. For real advice on an Ocicat's needs, health, or suitability, speak to a reputable breeder, a rescue, or your vet. I am a cat with opinions, not a veterinarian.