Ocicat

Temperament

The Ocicat is often described as “a dog in a cat suit.” It is devoted to its people without being pushy, and quickly learns to come when called, fetch and walk on a harness. It is a natural extrovert: it usually greets guests itself instead of hiding under the bed, and it explores new places with curiosity. It likes to talk to the family, though its voice is gentler than the Siamese’s. It has lots of energy and needs daily play, climbing and mental challenges; puzzle toys and clicker training work brilliantly. Many Ocicats travel well, and some like water. Its weak spot is being alone: the CFA stresses that the breed does best in a home with other animals or with someone who works from home.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Ocicat for?

The Ocicat suits active people and families who enjoy teaching a cat tricks and are often at home or have another pet for company. It does well in an apartment if it has places to climb. It is not a good choice for someone looking for a calm couch cat or who only comes home to sleep.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The short, glossy coat barely sheds and needs minimal grooming: a weekly wipe with a chamois cloth or rubber grooming glove is enough. The real work is providing exercise and stimulation. An Ocicat needs a sturdy cat tree with perches, several play sessions a day and new things to learn; fetch, tricks for treats and harness walks tire it out well. Without them, a bored cat will find its own entertainment. The breed has a fast metabolism and rarely gets fat, but it is worth setting portions and food type with your vet, especially since Ocicats are predisposed to urate stones. Females not intended for breeding should be spayed: in a Swedish study, the breed had an increased risk of pyometra. A second cat is a good solution for busy owners.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Ocicat is considered a healthy breed, but the CFA lists three problems worth asking the breeder about. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in cats and is detected with a heart ultrasound. Amyloidosis can damage the kidneys or liver. Progressive retinal atrophy leads to blindness, but DNA testing has made it a minor problem. Population studies also point to an increased risk of urate stones in the urinary tract and of pyometra in unspayed females; in a Swedish study, Ocicats ranked third for how often this disease occurred. VCA gives a lifespan of 15–18 years.

• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)Listed by the CFA among the breed’s problems; heart ultrasound is recommended for breeding cats.
• amyloidosisBuildup of amyloid protein can damage the kidneys or liver.
• progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Leads to blindness, but DNA testing has made it less of a problem.
• urate stonesIn a US review of more than 5,000 cases, Ocicats had a markedly higher risk of urate stones.
• pyometraIn a Swedish study, Ocicats ranked third for how often pyometra occurred.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The breed came about by accident. In 1964, Virginia Daly of Berkley, Michigan, crossed an Abyssinian with a Siamese, hoping for a completely different result. One litter, however, produced a spotted male kitten named Tonga; he looked like an ocelot, hence the breed’s name. Breeders continued the program and later added the American Shorthair, which strengthened the build and brought in silver coloring. The CFA accepted the Ocicat for registration in 1966 but granted championship status only in 1987. TICA recognized the breed in 1986, and FIFe in 1992. For a time, the British GCCF also kept a separate tabby variety (the Aztec), now merged into the Ocicat.

Fun facts

• The first Ocicat, a male named Tonga, was born in 1964 from a cross between an Abyssinian and a Siamese.
• The breed is named after the ocelot, a wild cat of the Americas, though the Ocicat has nothing to do with it.
• The CFA standard recognizes 12 Ocicat colors, including six silvers.
• More than 20 years passed between CFA registration and championship status.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. 1CFA – Ocicat breed profilecfa.org
2. 2VCA Animal Hospitals – Ocicatvcahospitals.com
3. 3Wikipedia – Ocicaten.wikipedia.org
4. 4FIFe – Recognised breedsfifeweb.org
5. 5WCF – Breed standards shorthairwcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.