Cat breed · Shorthair
Ocicat
Looks like a small wild ocelot but is entirely domestic — Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair ancestry. Confident, sociable and fetch-loving.
Illustrative cover using relevant category imagery; it does not depict the exact subject.
Breed characteristics
- Group
- Shorthair
- Origin
- United States
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3–6.5 kg
- Height
- 25–30 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–18 years
- Coat
- Short, spotted 'wild cat' coat in twelve colours
- Temperament
- OutgoingDog-likeAthleticSocial
History
Created accidentally in 1964 Michigan when an Abyssinian-pointed Siamese cross produced a spotted kitten.
Appearance
Athletic, muscular cat with thumbprint-shaped spots, a long tail and large ears.
Exercise and activity
High; needs climbing trees, interactive play and ideally a companion.
Care and grooming
Easy short coat; the real work is meeting its social and activity needs.
Health considerations
- Generally healthy
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (screen)
- Periodontal disease
Honest challenges
Before choosing a Ocicat
- Treat the breed profile as a starting point, not a guarantee of temperament. Meet the individual and discuss its history, needs and behaviour with the rescue or responsible breeder.
- Check your routine can support the activity described here: High; needs climbing trees, interactive play and ideally a companion. Allow for age, weather, health and recovery rather than imposing a fixed target.
- Ask the breeder or rescue and your vet about problems reported in this breed (such as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (screen), Periodontal disease), which of them have recognised screening tests, and the parents' results where relevant. Screening reduces some uncertainty but cannot promise a healthy lifetime.
- Plan grooming, veterinary costs and care during holidays. Children and other pets still need careful introductions and supervision whatever a breed's typical rating.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Sources on this topic
Pages on this specific subject from recognised organisations. They are cited for further reading and do not mean the organisation has reviewed this page.
- Ocicat breed profile — Cat Fanciers' Association
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.
- RSPCA — animal care and welfare advice across species
- PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice
- International Cat Care — cat health, behaviour and welfare advice