Ocicat Cat: Breed Profile, Facts & Care

Ocicats are an interesting mixture of a wild look with a sweet nature. This breed of cats is athletic fur balls that are quite affectionate and playful, making them a very loving pet to have. 

They are well-known for their exotic looks, they have golden or brown-shaped spots along with their bodies. Ocicat’s fur colors include cinnamon, blue, chocolate, lavender, tawny, and even a few shades of silver. They have an athletic built and may be heavier than they look. Male Ocicats weigh between 9 and 15 pounds while females weigh between 6 and 9 pounds.

They have almond-shaped eyes that are quite large and come in a wide range of colors apart from blue. Their ears are also large and some Ocicat may have ear tufts on the tips of their ears. The tails of an Ocicat are long and have a dark tip on the end; their legs are muscular and powerful. 

Ocicats have sleek and short fur with a shiny look; you will only need to brush their fur at least once a week to maintain their coat condition. It is recommended to brush their teeth daily to prevent any dental diseases; however, if you can only brush their teeth once a week, this will be sufficient. Ocicats’ nails will also need to be trimmed, and it is recommended to wipe their ears weekly. 

These cats are very playful and have a sweet nature which makes them great for families with children or even other pets that are family with cats. However, Ocicats do usually show dominant behavior so if you do have other pets, this is an important trait to keep in mind before getting the Ocicat. 

Ocicats are an athletic breed that requires regular exercise. This means that they will need a large safe space to move around freely in. You should never keep an Ocicat in a confined space over along. 

This breed is fairly new and only appeared in 1964. Ocicats are a mix of Abyssinian, Siamese, and American shorthair cats. 

Ocicats have a playful temperament and are very loyal to their owners. This social breed enjoys following their owners around, sitting on their laps, playing with toys, and going for walks on a leash. Ocicats must have regular exercise and mental stimulation games as they are an athletic and intelligent breed. 

This breed is healthy but can be prone to certain genetic health issues. This includes heart disease, retinal atrophy, and liver health problems. This is another reason why Ocicats require regular exercise and a healthy diet. 

Advantages:

• Affectionate 
• Intelligent 
• Wild/exotic appearance

Disadvantages: 

• Prone to health issues
• Require regular dental care
• Require regular exercise

Origin

United States

Health

Dr. Adedapo Adisa:

Despite having the appearance of wild cats, the Ocicat cat is a domestic cat without a genome of wild cats. Created from a cross of Abyssinian, Siamese, and American shorthair cats, Ocicat cats are known for their excellent social personality.

Despite having a relatively high life expectancy that falls between 10-16 years of age and good health history, Ocicat cats are prone to inherited health conditions. These inherited medical conditions in the Ocicats result from their shared genomic pool with breeds like Abyssinian and the Siamese cats.

Some inherited conditions found in the Ocicat cat include Amyloidosis of the kidney or liver and a heart condition known as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Amyloidosis in the Ocicat breed is an inherited condition whereby a complex protein that the body can’t absorb, known as amyloids, begins to deposit in various organs, especially the kidneys and liver.

The deposition of these amyloid proteins eventually leads to the degeneration and failure of the affected organs in Ocicat cats. Amyloid formation is due to a genetic mutation in the Ocicats.

Although the onset of the Amyloidosis condition in the Ocicat cats varies. Amyloid proteins can start depositing in organs and tissues from five years of age, while symptoms may appear in the Ocicats at about seven years. Some common symptoms include,

• Increased urination in cats
• Increased thirst and water intake.
• Blisters or ulcers around the mouth.
• A Foul-smelling breath or uremic breath.
• Loss of weight and general weakness.
• Abdominal pains.
• Internal bleeding may be observed.

It is best to screen Ocicat cats for Amyloidosis before engaging in breeding activities because there is no known cure for this condition.

However, if any of these signs have been identified in the Ocicat cats, it is best to report them to your Veterinarian as soon as possible.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is another health condition found in the Ocicat breed. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is due to a genetic mutation whereby the walls of the Ocicats heart, especially the left ventricle, thickens.

The abnormal thickening of the cardiac walls prevents the heart from carrying out its circulatory functions adequately in the Ocicat cats. This eventually causes some cascade of events such as blood clots around the upper left atrium, fluid build-up around the lungs, and a reduced pumping action of the heart fr ventricle, leading to a condition known as congestive heart failure in Ocicat cats.

Some common signs of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy present in the Ocicat cats include;

• Irregular heart rhythm in the cat.
• Exercise intolerance can be noticed in the cat.
• Weakness.
• The rush of blood from the heart may be heard, known as cardiac murmurs.
• Fluid may begin to build up around the lungs
• Clots may break and occlude vessels leading to paralysis or even stroke.
• Increased breathing in cats.

If Ocicat cats show any of these symptoms, it is essential to immediately reach out to your Veterinarian.

The Veterinarian may carry out a couple of diagnostic tests before reaching a confirmatory diagnosis.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be managed if detected early in the Ocicat cats. Once the Ocicat has been screened and found to have this medical condition, it is essential to stop breeding.