Origin and uniqueness of the breed
The Ocicet is a cat that looks wild but is completely domestic in origin. It has not been crossed with wild cats like Bengals or Savannahs, although the look hints at this. The breed was created by accident in the United States in 1964, when breeder Virginia Daly crossed Abyssinian and Siamese cats to produce a new type of Siamese with a warm, reddish hue. The offspring produced a kitten with a spotted leopard-like coloring. This cat became the first Ocicetus.
The name comes from the word ocelot – that is, “ocelot”, a wild spotted cat from Central America. But this is where the similarity ends: the ocicet cat has no genetic affinity with wild species. The breed became established through further crossbreeding with Siams and American Shorthairs. In 1987, it was recognized by CFA, and later – other international organizations.
Today the Ocicet is valued for its appearance, intelligence and ease of living. It can be compared to a show car: it looks exotic, but functions as a reliable pet.
Appearance, coloration
Before anyone has time to ask whether it is definitely not a wild cat, just one look at the ocicet is enough: short, shiny fur tightly adheres to the body, and the whole body is covered with clear spots on a contrasting background. This spotted coloration is the main sign of the breed. It should be symmetrical, without blurring or stripes. Acceptable colors – chocolate, cinnamon, blue, silver, purple, beige, etc. The eyes are large, almond-shaped, usually green, amber or yellow.
The Otsiket is a medium to large-sized cat with harmonious musculature, flexible body and strong neck. Its weight is from 3 to 6.5 kg, and its movements are always smooth and energetic. The cat looks sturdy but not massive.
Wool is short, smooth, shiny, almost has no undercoat. That is why the otsiket practically does not molt and does not need complex cat grooming. But this shine does not appear by itself – regular care is needed. Once a week a light brushing with a rubber brush or glove and the coat will remain in perfect condition. It is especially important not to skip the changing seasons: even if the shedding is imperceptible, skin impurities can spoil the shine.
Character, life span and housing conditions
Otsiket is extremely social, not afraid of guests, gets along well with children and other animals. If you already have a cat, a dog or even a parrot – the otsiket is only more interesting. He does not like to sit alone and quickly gets bored without attention, so he is ideal for an active family or people who spend a lot of time at home.
The Ociket breed loves socializing, understands intonation, is easily taught simple commands and loves interactive toys. Its intelligence is dog-like – it can fetch objects, open doors, and even turn on lights (unfortunately). Ociket is not confrontational, but quite stubborn: if he decides to explore something – it will be difficult to stop him. It’s also a great companion for people who work from home – it won’t lie on the sidelines, but will constantly be included in the routine.
Lives otsiket on average 14-16 years. The breed is considered healthy, but like all cats, it needs basic care: annual checkups at the vet, teeth and weight control. Because of its high activity level, it rarely gains excess, but this does not mean that you can neglect the quality of the diet. You need a high-protein food and plenty of water, either a fountain or several bowls in different areas of the house.
On grooming – as mentioned, the ocicet does not require complicated grooming. But that doesn’t take away from the attention to detail. Regularly check the eyes, ears, trim nails, brush teeth – and your cat will be beautiful and healthy. If it’s important to you that the coat is always shiny, a gentle massage with a special brush is enough – even once a week will be enough to maintain the perfect look.
