The Ocicat cat breed appeared relatively recently, but its history is filled with interesting facts and events. In the veins of these handsome men with a predatory appearance there is no blood of wild animals. This spotted cat has nothing to do with the American wild representative. It got its name only because of its resemblance to it.
Breed history
In the 20th century (1964), a felinologist from Berkeley (USA) Virginia Daily crossed an Abyssinian-Siamese and Siamese cat. The purpose of her experiment was the desire to get a new breed of spotted animals. The first kittens born were Abyssinian. And in the second litter, in addition to the Abyssinian-Siamese mixed breeds, a cute spotted kitten was born. He was named Tonga, and the breeder’s daughter came up with the name of the breed.
The first kitten of the new breed was castrated and sold. The current oocytes are the offspring of kittens from the third litter. Then a special program for the cultivation of Ocicatus was launched. During its development, many breeders joined the Virginia Daily. A little later, an American Shorthair cat was connected to the breed. This made it possible to obtain an additional amazing silver color, as well as a stronger physique.
The first Ocicat cat was registered by CFA in 1980. Seven years later (1987), representatives of the breed took part in the exhibition. After that, the cat Ocicat, whose photo was immediately published in many special publications, was recognized by other felinological organizations. The final breed standard was approved in 1988. It is relevant at the present time.
Ocicat breed standard
Quite often, Ocicots are confused with ordinary spotted yard cats. Outwardly, they quite often do have similarities. So that you are not deceived when buying a kitten, below we will present a detailed description of the standard of this breed of the TICA association.
The head is rounded, with a powerful chin, but not pointed. The muzzle is almost square and elongated in profile. The ears are large, sometimes there are brushes on the tips. Set low, at an angle of 45 degrees.
Eyes - large, expressive, almond-shaped. They are widely planted and slightly slanted. Color scale: gold, yellow, green, orange. The standard allows the discrepancy of eye color to the color of the animal. However, blue eyes are considered a disqualifying factor.
The body is muscular, powerful, athletic. The line of the back is slightly raised towards the tail.
The limbs are muscular and long. Paws are oval.
The tail is thin, long, with a narrowed dark tip.
The coat is thin and short. It is silky to the touch, with round or oval spots of contrasting color.
Ocicat cat is medium in size, although sometimes it looks quite powerful. The average weight does not exceed five kilograms, although cats are also larger - up to seven kilograms.
Color
Ocicat is a cat, the description of which we presented above, in accordance with the standard, has a short and dense coat. A characteristic feature of the ocicat, experts call ticking - a contrasting and clear pattern on the wool. The Ocicat cat is distinguished by its color features from its distant and close relatives. The main thing is ticked wool. In other words, each hair coat should be painted in several shades. Thus, an original spotty pattern is obtained: wool with light tips are placed around darker inclusions.
Another characteristic feature of the breed is a pattern resembling the letter “M” on the forehead of cats. The remaining spots are located on the animal’s head with ripples, and are arranged in a row along the spine. Paws and tail cover transverse lines.
Types of colors
The standard allows twelve colors, which are divided into eight classes:
Tan
Dark brown (almost black) spots are located on a red background. The nose is dark red, surrounded by a darker rim, the paw pads are black or dark gray.
Chocolate
Brown spots are scattered on a delicate, milky background. The nose is pink, the border surrounding it is chocolate-colored, the paw pads are light brown in color.
Brown
Beige spots on a milky background. The nose is pink, with a brown border, the paw pads can be painted in various shades of pink.
Blue
Dark blue spots are located on a pale blue or light yellow background. The nose is pink with a blue border, bluish paw pads.
Purple
On a pale yellow or pinkish background - purple spots. The nose is pink with a dark purple stroke, the paw pads are pink with a delicate purple hue.
Tan
On a milky background, yellow-brown spots are located. The paw pads and nose are pink.
Six more colors are acceptable, which are those mentioned above with the addition of silver. White is acceptable only around the eyes, nose, chin and upper neck.
Disqualification Defects
This spotted cat may be disqualified from the exhibition for one or more defects:
- white spots in places not defined by the standard;
- hidden or visible tail defects;
- fluffy or long hair;
- Blue eyes.
In addition, animals with unauthorized pedigree or non-standard color will not be allowed to the exhibition.
Ocicat character
The predatory appearance of this animal is deceiving. Ocicat is a cat whose character will appeal to all lovers of these pets: both experienced and beginners. This is an affectionate and friendly four-legged friend, perfectly adapted for living next to people. Ocicat the cat, the photo of which you can see in this article, is smart, quick-witted, and sometimes tricky. They like to solve various riddles: to climb where you can’t climb for some reason, and to discover what the owner has closed from them. They instantly remember their name and are easy to train. Yes, and okcikets will not refuse a walk on a harness.
Need for communication
We do not recommend having such a pet for those who are rarely at home. Ocicat cat needs human society. Like most representatives of artificially bred breeds, she is difficult to endure loneliness and gladly makes contact with a person. Interestingly, asking for something, these animals look into the owner’s eyes.
This cute pet feels much better in large families, where there is always the opportunity to chat with someone. And if there are children in the house with whom you can always play, your friend will be happy. Surprisingly, despite such an urgent need for communication, the Ocicat cat does not tolerate tenderness at all, if at the moment she has other plans. A pleasant discovery for the owner will be the fact that his pet easily accepts the family’s daily routine and never bothers him at night.
Attitude to family members
Ocicat cat is a very loving person. When she has a need for affection, she will declare it very persistently, and literally “kiss” her master. These cats are loved by both children and the elderly. For the elderly, these are irreplaceable listeners and interlocutors. For kids - the best companions for outdoor games and pranks. But at the same time, the child must understand that the cat is not a toy. The Ocicat is a strong animal; it will not tolerate liberties and familiarity and can always stand up for itself.
There is another interesting feature of the character of the ocicat that distinguishes it from its fellow tribesmen - it refers to strangers without the usual feline alertness. If the guest liked the cat, he will immediately demonstrate it: he will offer to play, he will jump onto his knees in anticipation of affection.
Care
It’s easy to take care of the Ocicat. For bathing brown, tan or chocolate individuals use a bronze shampoo. Blue, lilac, beige animals can use pearl shampoo, while silver ones need whitening.
For hair care, in addition to ordinary brushes, you will need a suede napkin, which will help maintain the shine of your pet's fur coat.
Feeding
The diet of the ocicat must be carefully thought out and carefully treated by the recommendations of experienced breeders and veterinarians:
- if you decide to feed your pet dry food, then get premium formulations that are recommended for oriental or Siamese cats;
- the basis of the natural diet should be meat: boiled beef or chicken; in addition, the cat should regularly receive fermented milk products;
- supplement the diet with boiled sea fish, as well as chicken eggs and vegetable crops, such additives should be given once a week.
Products such as pork, river fish, sweets, spicy foods, fried foods, and milk are strictly prohibited. The use of powdered bioadditives and a special paste based on vegetable oils is justified. All natural products are given to animals in warm, freshly prepared form.
Health
Ocicots are hardy and healthy animals. But we should not forget that they were bred as a result of crossing three breeds, each of which has hereditary diseases. This may be pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK), anemia and, as a result, renal amyloidosis.
Along the line of Siamese ancestors, a predisposition to serious heart disease is possible, which causes sudden death of young animals. In addition, there is a risk of plaque formation on the teeth and the development of periodontal disease. To prevent these diseases, veterinarians recommend the use of special toothpastes, which are applied using small brushes. If you fail to master this procedure, you will have to regularly visit a veterinary clinic. The life expectancy of the Ocicat is about twenty years.
Progeny
Cats of this breed tolerate pregnancy and childbirth, as a rule, they pass without problems. Okotsety are magnificent mothers who are distinguished by affection and care: they patiently raise their cubs. Little Ocicat kittens are big owners: they are very jealous of their toys. If you have children, explain to them that children should not take toys, hide them.
Kitten cost
According to the owners of cats, this breed has only one, but rather serious drawback. Ocicat is a cat whose price is quite high. This is due to the rarity of these animals in our country. In a kennel with a good reputation, a kitten of this breed costs from thirty thousand rubles and above. Breeders selling purebred Ocicats will explain to you the prospects of a kitten: for example, mandatory sterilization or castration, the opportunity to participate in exhibitions and so on.