Ocicat Breed of Cat:

The ocicat is a kind of domestic cat breed that resembles the wildcat but in fact does not have wild blood in it.



In appearance this cat is spotted just like the wild cat but is temperamentally similar to a domestic one. The ocicat gets its name from its similarity to the ocelot. The ocicat originates from interbreeding between the Siamese, American Shorthair and Abyssinian. The American shorthairs were deliberately mixed in solely to give the breed their bone structure, silver color and special markings.



Incidentally it is the only domestic breed that is selectively bred specifically for the purpose of emulating the wild cats. It is a large cat with an athletic appearance, it is well muscled and has a tight satiny coat.

The ocicat may look like its wild counter part but in actuality it is an outgoing breed with a temperament very similar to that of a dog. They are not shy with strangers, can be trained to walk on a leash, fetch, speak, lie, sit, walk when commanded to just like a well trained dog.



Some even like the water.  Their sociable disposition thus makes them an ideal choice for any household. They do not require any special care making them easy pets to look after. Ocicats follow the same diet as any other domestic cat. They do not have any special dietary requirements. Their coats need to be groomed and washed once in awhile. Weekly brushing of their coats is advised. They are not particularly prone to any health problems; this might be due to their broadly mixed genetic backgrounds. Hence in general they are fairly vigorous and healthy animals. There are some controversies surrounding the possibility of genetic diseases occurring due to the mixed breeding of its ancestors, but most breeders do agree, that in general the ocicat appears to be free of these.

Most breeders put the ocicat kittens up for sale between twelve and fifteen months of age. Basically after twelve weeks the kittens are given their basic inoculation. By this time they will also have developed social and physical stability. Keeping them indoors, spaying them or neutering them help them maintain long and healthy lives. They should also be provided with scratching posts and enough playing time. They are a naturally active kind and will get their exercise without any coaxing. If kept indoors, they should be provided with adequate toys. Ocicats are intrinsically social animals and hence do not like to be left on their own.