Felis catus
Ocicat
Featured photoocicat.jpgThe Ocicat is a fully domestic spotted breed that originated as an accidental hybrid in 1964 when Virginia Daly crossed an Abyssinian with a Siamese seeking Abyssinian-pointed Siamese kittens. A spotted kitten named Tonga was produced unexpectedly. Daly resumed the programme; American Shorthair was subsequently added to the breeding lines. CFA granted championship status in 1987; TICA recognized the breed at its 1979 founding; and FIFe in 1992. The standard describes a large, athletic cat with a distinctive spotted coat.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- United States
- Origin period
- 1964 accidental cross (Virginia Daly; Abyssinian × Siamese × American Shorthair); CFA championship 1987
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Tawny, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Blue, Lavender, Fawn, Silver variants of each, Chocolate Silver, Cinnamon Silver, Blue Silver, Lavender Silver, Fawn Silver, Tawny Silver
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Recognition
- CFA 1987 · TICA 1979 · FIFe 1992
Origin
In 1964 Virginia Daly of Michigan crossed an Abyssinian-pointed Siamese with a typical Siamese in an effort to produce Abyssinian-coloured points. Instead, a spotted kitten named Tonga appeared unexpectedly in the litter. Daly's daughter coined the name Ocicat based on the kitten's resemblance to the ocelot. CFA geneticist Dr. Clyde Keeler encouraged Daly to resume the programme, and American Shorthair was later added to increase bone size and introduce the silver colour class.
Recognition
The International Cat Association recognized the Ocicat at its 1979 founding. CFA granted championship status in 1987 after the breed held provisional status. The Fédération Internationale Féline recognized the breed in 1992. The GCCF does not maintain a separate Ocicat championship register. The breed is recognized in twelve CFA colour divisions spanning tawny, chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, fawn, and silver variants of each.
Standard
The CFA standard describes a large, well-spotted, athletic cat with a long body, deep chest, and substantial bone. The head is a modified wedge of medium length with a broad muzzle and defined chin. The coat is short, fine, and ticked with distinct dark spots — thumb-print shaped and scattered randomly across the body and flanks. Twelve colour classes are recognized: tawny (brown), chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, fawn, and silver variants of each. All spots must show clear contrast against the agouti ground; blotched or marbled patterns are not accepted.
Sources & further reading (3)
- registry-breed-profile — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- fife-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ocicat a wild-cat hybrid?
No. The Ocicat is a fully domestic cat breed with no wild-cat genetics. Its ocelot-like spotted appearance is the result of accidental hybrid crosses between Abyssinian, Siamese, and American Shorthair bloodlines. The name 'Ocicat' was coined by Daly's daughter based on the kitten's resemblance to the ocelot, but the breed has no ocelot ancestry.
When did the Ocicat achieve championship status?
CFA granted the Ocicat championship status in 1987. TICA recognized the breed at its 1979 founding. FIFe recognized the breed in 1992. The GCCF does not maintain a separate Ocicat championship register.
How many colour classes does the CFA recognize for the Ocicat?
CFA recognizes twelve colour classes: tawny (brown), chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lavender, fawn, and silver variants of each of the six base colours. All twelve classes must exhibit the distinctive spotted tabby pattern with clear contrast between the spots and the agouti ground.
