Ocicat
The Ocicat is a spotted domestic cat that looks wild but has no wild cat blood — it is entirely domestic, developed from crosses between Siamese, Abyssinian, and American Shorthair.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
12–18 years
Weight
3–6.5 kg (7–14 lbs)
Height
25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality food appropriate for an active, muscular breed.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Ocicat is a spotted domestic cat that looks wild but has no wild cat blood — it is entirely domestic, developed from crosses between Siamese, Abyssinian, and American Shorthair. The spotted pattern was an accidental discovery in 1964 when Virginia Daly crossed a Siamese with an Aby-pointed Siamese — the result included a spotted kitten that looked remarkably like a small Ocelot. The breed was named for its resemblance to the Ocelot. The Ocicat combines the Siamese's intelligence and sociability with the Abyssinian's athleticism, producing a highly interactive and dog-like companion.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
Discover which pets match your lifestyle
Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Ocicat is a large, athletic, well-muscled cat of substantial bone and body weight. The coat is short, tight, and has a distinctively bold spotted pattern — thumbprint-shaped spots arranged in a bull's-eye pattern on the sides, with smaller spots on the legs and tail. The coat has a satin-like sheen. The face has characteristic "mascara" markings. The pattern closely resembles the Ocelot despite containing no wild cat genetics.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
smooth
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Ocicats are highly social, playful, and dog-like. They can be leash-trained, enjoy fetch, and form strong bonds with their family. They are sociable with strangers — unlike many breeds that are shy with new people. They are intelligent and need mental stimulation.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
5/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Ideal Weather
15°C to 30°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Outdoor
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
50%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
quiet
Stress Signals
over-grooming, destructive behaviour, spraying, restlessness
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Minimal grooming — weekly brushing. Interactive play daily. The social and dog-like nature means they do well with a companion cat.
Nutrition Notes
Abyssinian × domestic tabby × Bengal. Spotted wild-look. Moderate calorie needs. Generally healthy.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
PkDef possible (Abyssinian heritage). HCM. Generally healthy. Developed by TICA geneticist. Spotted tabby pattern. 12-16 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Amyloidosis from Abyssinian lineage. Progressive retinal atrophy (from Abyssinian genes). Pyruvate kinase deficiency (DNA test available). Generally a robust, healthy breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Spotted wild-look domestic. India: suits climate well.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$75 to $350
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Ocicat was discovered accidentally — Virginia Daly was attempting to produce Aby-pointed Siamese (colourpoint Siamese with Abyssinian-like facial features) when the first spotted kitten appeared as an unexpected result.
Despite looking like a wild cat, the Ocicat has no wild cat genetics whatsoever — the ocelot-like spotted pattern is produced entirely by domestic cat genes.
Ocicats are one of the few cat breeds that reliably enjoy meeting strangers — most cats are cautious with new people, but Ocicats tend to greet visitors enthusiastically.
