The Ocicat is a medium-sized purebred recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association. These exotic looking cats are actually not exotic at all as they are 100% pure domestic cats. They were named after the Ocelot, a medium-sized wild cat with a beautiful dappled coat that can be found in places like Texas and South American rainforests.

The Ocicat is an athletic cat that is graceful and slim with long and muscular legs, large ears, and oval eyes. Their coat is smooth and short, and it comes in 12 colors with the signature spots that are generally thumbprint size. They come in blue, blue-silver, lavender, lavender-silver, chocolate, chocolate-silver, cinnamon, cinnamon-silver, fawn, fawn-silver, ebony-silver, and tawny (which is essentially a spotted tabby).

Ocicat Kittens – Before Bringing One Home

The Ocicat is a highly energetic cat that, while long-lived and healthy, does have a number of health issues that will be discussed later on. They are one of the more trainable cats as they are intelligent and devoted to their family, and they are highly social cats that love everyone they meet.

What’s the Price of Ocicat Kittens?

The Ocicat is a highly desired, purebred cat that you might find priced at $700 up to $2,500, depending on the breeder. Be sure you’re dealing with a responsible and reputable breeder; ask lots of questions and request to see their cat’s medical history. A good breeder will not send a kitten home with you that hasn’t been checked by a vet and should be open and honest about everything related to their cats.

Kittens should also spend the right amount of time with their siblings and mother. The kittens are weaned by about 8 to 10 weeks and are usually ready to leave their mothers when they reach 12 to 13 weeks of age. This is essential as a kitten removed from her mother too young will be prone to health issues and behavioral problems.

You could also consider adopting an Ocicat from a rescue organization, but given their rarity and popularity, this might be a challenge. However, if you do find an Ocicat through a rescue group, the fee tends to range from about $100 to $300, and you’ll be giving a cat a second chance at a better life.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Ocicat

1. The Ocicat is the result of an accidental breeding.

In 1964, a breeder crossed an Abyssinian with a Siamese only to have a litter of beige-coated, spotted kittens, which was not the expected outcome. At a later time, the American Shorthair was crossed into the mix, which is where the modern Ocicat gets the silver color and some of the bone structure and color patterns that we see today.

2. The Ocicat can be dog-like.

They can be trained, are very social, and are even devoted to their family (they’ve been known to walk on a leash and taught to play fetch as well).

3. The Ocicat likes to rule.

They tend to dominate over others, including other cats and even dogs, and are possessive of their toys. Expect the Ocicat to rule the house.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Ocicat

The Ocicat is a loving and devoted cat that will follow you around the house and might even enjoy a ride on your shoulder. They love to play as much as curl up on your lap and will seek you out for a nice long petting session. The Ocicat does have a Siamese background, so she might talk a little more than other cats, but she won’t be nearly as vocal as the Siamese.

Ocicats are highly intelligent and sensitive cats and will probably respond well to verbal corrections. They are very adaptable cats, but they do not like to be left alone for long. If you need to leave the house for work every day, you should seriously consider providing your cat with some company, like another cat or a dog. They are also smart enough to figure out how to open doors and latches, so be aware and take any necessary precautions.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

The Ocicat makes an excellent fit for a family. They are very playful and social cats and will enjoy playing with children of all ages. If you have young children in your household, they need to be taught to respect your cat and not always pick her up and carry her around. Sitting down next to the cat and giving her gentle pets is the best treatment for the sensitive Ocicat.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Ocicat gets along very well with all other pets, even dogs, as long as they are cat-friendly, and their personalities and energy levels are a good fit. As already mentioned, the Ocicat might tend to rule over all pets in the household, but she will definitely love to have another cat as company.

Things to Know When Owning an Ocicat:

Food & Diet Requirements

Start by looking for a high-quality dry cat food and follow the guidelines provided on the back of the bag to help you figure out how much you should feed your Ocicat every day. If you’re ever worried about your cat’s weight or health, do speak to your vet. Also, be aware of when you first bring a cat or kitten home that you should introduce a new food slowly or stomach upset might occur.

Another consideration is the water intake for your cat. Providing your Ocicat with canned food once a day is a great way to add additional moisture to her diet. Plus, investing in a cat fountain will encourage extra water consumption as cats prefer to drink from running water. This way, you can hopefully avoid kidney problems in your cat’s senior years.

Exercise

Exercising your Ocicat is easy, considering how naturally athletic this cat is. They are very active and will enjoy spending a lot of time playing with cat toys and maybe look into cat puzzles to help keep her engaged and occupied. They are also very active jumpers, so be sure your cat can access high places or even some cat shelves. The Ocicat is even known to walk on a harness, so be prepared for a lot of attention if you decide to walk your cat.

Training

The Ocicat is one of a few breeds of cats that are actually trainable. She might enjoy playing fetch and may learn to respond to verbal commands (she will definitely learn to respond to her name). You can even train your Ocicat to stop unwanted behaviors, such as jumping on your counters, as long as you give her another alternative, such as her own chair to oversee everything.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming the Ocicat is decidedly easy as she has a short, smooth coat that she will usually take of herself. But getting into the habit of brushing your cat is a wonderful bonding experience, and she’ll become accustomed to it, which will come in handy in her senior years.

Also, be sure to regularly trim her claws and invest in a cat scratcher to help keep your furniture intact. Brushing her teeth is another grooming habit that you should get into when she’s a kitten, but you can also give her dental treats to keep her teeth and gums in good shape.

Another excellent way to help your cat maintain their nails is by introducing them to a cat scratcher. The Hepper Hi-Lo is the perfect alternative to a regular scratching post or cat tower and doubles as a fun and exciting way for them to keep their nail length at bay. Cardboard is the main attraction, because we all know how much cats can't resist it, and the scratcher itself was created to encourage play with its multi-position design.

If you are looking to keep nail trims to a minimum and your cat entertained for hours, the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher is a must-have. 

At Excited Cats, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

Health and Conditions

The Ocicat is a healthy cat, but she might be susceptible to some of the same health conditions from her Siamese heritage. It’s a great idea to educate yourself in these conditions for future reference should it ever become a problem.

Male vs. Female

The female Ocicat is usually smaller than the male; the average female will weigh between 6 to 9 pounds, and the male weighs 9 to 14 pounds.

The next difference between males and females depends if you elect to have surgery for your cat. Spaying the female Ocicat will stop her from going into heat and is usually a more expensive operation than neutering. Neutering the male is an easier surgery and will stop him from spraying and possibly more aggressive behaviors.

There are many that believe that male cats are generally more affectionate than females and that females might take longer to trust you and, therefore, will be more cautious. However, how your kitten was raised, how long they were with their littermates and mothers as well as how they’ve been treated by their humans will really be the true test to their personalities.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an Ocicat breeder, they are easily found online, but there aren’t as many of this breed of cat as there are the more popular varieties, so be prepared for a search. Get in contact with any local or national cat clubs if you’re having difficulties locating one and consider putting a message out on social media.

If you’re looking for a cat that will get along with everyone she meets and is show-stopping in her appearance, the Ocicat might just be the perfect fit for your family.

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Featured Image: dien, Shutterstock