Origin of the Ocicat cat
The Ocicat cat breed , along with the Egyptian Mau and the Bengal , is one of the three wildest feline breeds. They are medium-large in size and have a wild, robust appearance, with a rounded head and pointed ears, similar to lynxes. Their eyes are large, expressive and usually almond-shaped in color. Never blue.
Being a descendant of Siamese cats , it shares their athletic side, elegant bearing and is stronger and more muscular. The Ocicat breed has an exotic and eccentric power.
The Ocicat is a breed from the United States . Its name is a contraction of the English words ocelot and cat , as it has a particular spotted coat like a wild cat.
In 1964, an American breeder crossed a Siamese-Abyssinian crossbreed cat with a Chocolate Point Siamese cat, from which she obtained Tabby Point Siamese cats .
Seeing these exotic results, other breeders decided to continue what this small breeder had started and could not continue. So, they made crosses between Siamese, Abyssinians, Spotted Orientals and American Shorthairs, until they reached the current and eccentric morphology that we know of the Ocicat breed.
Today, such crossbreeding is absolutely prohibited. Of course, the Ocicat cat is incredibly popular in the United States, while in Europe it is a striking breed. In 1988, it was authorized as an official breed. Four years later, in 1992, it was also officially approved in Europe and finally in the rest of the world.
Types of Ocicat
There are exactly 12 varieties of the Ocicat breed of different shades and colors. Six of them are silver and six are not. Without a doubt, the coat is its distinctive feature and, by the way, very similar to the wild ocelot .
Colors
There are 12 varieties of colors and two completely defined styles: the spotted and the tabby cats . As we said, six of them are silver and six are not.
The spotted Ocicat can be black, blue, chocolate, lavender, cinnamon and fawn. All these colors are also available in silver .
Types of hair
The coat is fine, soft, silky, with a satiny sheen , of strong build and is what distinguishes it from the rest.
In their tabby variety , Ocicat cats have a slightly tabby coat, silver -gray , orange or brown in color. Another identifying feature is the “M” pattern on their forehead, about which there are many stories and myths.
The Ocicat Cat Cub
The Ocicat breed is a domestic animal with a wild soul. Both as puppies and throughout their lives, they are very expressive and meowing animals . They are extremely affectionate with their owners and as babies, they are more hyperactive than any other breed.
Character and behavior of the Ocicat
They are very active and receptive to stimuli . They are capable of opening doors and latches. Curiously, the owners of Ocicat cats, in their great majority, refer to this escape ability.
They have a beautiful temperament , are playful, energetic by nature and are ideal to be raised with children. In addition, they are born leaders, since if they live perfectly with younger felines, they take care of them. Due to their great hyperactivity, they need your time, company and daily stimulation.
How to feed an Ocicat based on its age?
Ocicat cats do not require a specific or specialized diet based on their breed. But of course, they do need a balanced diet in stages.
Feeding in stages
Like all cats, at birth they will only need their mother’s milk . Once weaning approaches , around 2 months, their milk intake will be combined with a porridge mixed with water based on kitten food. After two months , Ocicat kittens will begin their diet with kitten food until they reach their adult stage, at one year of age , where they will begin to eat their usual food until they grow up. Once their senior stage begins , they can begin to be given a food adapted to these new needs.
Ocicat cat health
The genetic enrichment of its lineage means that, to date, it has no known associated congenital or hereditary diseases .
Caring for an Ocicat cat
With Ocicats you must have the basic care that you would with all cats: a balanced diet, going to the vet at least 3 times a year, examining them, giving them all the required vaccines and deworming them .
Hair
The Ocicat’s coat is fine and short . You should brush it at least three times a week and give it occasional baths only when you feel it is necessary.
Fur
A cat’s skin is the largest organ of a feline, accounting for 12-24% of the animal’s weight. Both the coat and skin of your Ocicat send out fairly reliable signals regarding its overall health.
What are the warning signs? Excessive hair loss , if the animal scratches itself continuously or licks itself excessively. Also, if the hair has become rough and dull, it is also another reason to consult the vet. The reasons can be various such as poor nutrition, parasites , allergies , dermatitis and hygiene problems, among others. It is always advisable to consult a professional.
Others: Eyes and ears
Cats’ ears , like their eyes, are very delicate. Cats are very self-sufficient and clean animals. The warning signs are that your Ocicat shakes its ears constantly, scratches itself, the appearance of black pigmentation on the tips, itching in the ears, etc. Irritation in its eyes, redness or secretions are the first warning signs that you should know.
In any case, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian before cleaning your pet yourself. This way, you will do it safely and with the right product.
Adopting an Ocicat
The Ocicat breed , for obvious reasons, is very popular in the United States and is more accessible to obtain. However, in Spain, for example, getting an Ocicat is a more complex task. It is advisable that you approach feline shelters and see the possibility of adopting a similar, mixed breed or that you ask for advice to know where to begin the search to give a chance to your new life partner.
From Tiendanimal stores we will help you with everything you need and we will advise you so that you can find your ideal companion.
