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I happened across a picture of an Ocicat the other day, and I was struck by how beautiful they are.  The Ocicat is a combination of three domestic breeds: Abysinnian, Siamese, and American Shorthair.  Contrary to the name, Ocicats are not descended from Ocelots or any other wild cat, but are so named because they bear a resemblance.

Ocicats are a short haired cat with a spotted coat.  They are very striking, with strong, athletic bodies and a satin sheen to their coats.  Bred accidentally in the 60’s, Ocicats have become increasingly popular and were accepted for shows by The Cat Fanciers' Association in 1987.

Ocicats are somewhat doglike in personality, taking well to learning tricks and even being walked on a leash.   I am sure they are quite the attention getter when walked down the street, because they look like something straight out of the jungle.  Be prepared to get asked about whether or not they are from the wild, as is apparently common with Ocicat owners.

Ocicats enjoy the benefits of hybrid breeding and are healthy and vigorous, with no known inherited health problems.  They come in a wide variety of colors – mainly silvers -- , and some are even solid, but of course excepted from show status.

The main attraction to the Ocicat was initially their beautiful, exotic looking coat, but their winning, easygoing personality has made many Ocicat owners diehard fans.

If you are looking for a cat that is uniquely beautiful, easy to care for and very athletic, look no further than the distinctive Ocicat.