1. Key Characteristics

• Weight: 6–9 pounds for females, 9–14 pounds for males
• Life Expectancy: More than 15 years

The ocicat is a medium-to-large spotted cat with a smooth and satiny coat. The markings are well scattered around the body and the belly. This feline is muscular, graceful and resembles a wild cat.

Ocicats have large, almond-shaped eyes, moderately large ears and fairly long tails. Colors vary from brown and silver to blue and lavender. The cool thing? Each hair contains more than 1 color.

2. Where They Came From

The ocicat was created by crossing Siamese and Abyssinian cats, then later crossed with an American domestic shorthair cat.

The first known ocicat was Tonga, owned by Virginia Daly of Michigan. She created and maintained the breed, which was registered in 1966 with the Cat Fanciers’ Association. The breed earned championship status in 1987. This was the first cat to be bred with the markings of a wild cat while keeping the disposition of a domesticated cat.

3. How Friendly Are They?

The ocicat has a larger-than-life personality. These cats are outgoing and friendly — even to strangers — and will often welcome company. They are not aggressive and are devoted to their humans. Playful, curious and highly intelligent, they can be trained. They crave companionship and do not like to be alone for long periods of time.

Ocicats look at many things as toys, so it’s best to lock up anything you don’t want to go missing. Some ocicats have been known to become possessive of their toys.

If they get bored too much or often, they can be mischievous — if you work long hours and don’t have any other pets, you might want to consider getting 2 ocicats to keep each other company. These cats have high energy levels and high intelligence, so they need physical exercise and mental challenges to keep them happy.

Because ocicats are so friendly and outgoing, they travel well and adapt to new surroundings easily. They also do well with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. Keep a lookout when in the shower or tub, though — ocicats are known to like water.

4. Is This the Right Cat for You?

This video shows several examples of the ocicat breed:

• Don’t Miss: 8 Exotic-Domestic Cat Hybrids That Will Make You Go Gaga

5. Where to Adopt One

If you consider getting an ocicat, please check adoption resources — even purebred animals end up in shelters. Try Pets Adviser’s pet adoption center. (Select the “Cats” tab.)

Additional Resources