It’s a good idea to keep an Ocicat as an indoor-only cat to protect him from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Ocicats who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such an unusual cat without paying for it.
The Ocicat’s short, smooth coat is simple to groom with weekly brushing or combing to remove dead hairs. A bath is rarely necessary.
Incorporating three sets of genes from 3 recognizable breeds tends to result in a more robust and healthy cat. The breed is the only example of selective breeding to produce the wild cat look (as opposed to wild cat/domestic cat hybrid).
When the Cheetoh cat breed was first created, the goal was to develop a breed that resembled a big, spotted cat from the jungle even more than the foundation breeds did, without having to add more wild cat genes in the mix. With the stunning looks of both breeds, as well as the intelligence and loyalty of a Bengal and the friendliness and docility of the Ocicat, the end result was a cat breed that exhibited a combination of all the desirable traits. Although registered with The International Cat Association as an experimental breed, the Cheetoh is yet to be recognized as a pedigree breed by this organization.
The first Cheetoh kittens were brought to the world in 2003. The relatively new breed was developed by Carol Drymon of Wind Haven Exotics cattery, after a year and half of research on wild/domestic cross breeds. As the Bengal is the most reliable breed that has wild origins, it became Drymon’s main choice for the breeding program. Not long after, reputable breeders throughout the United States were asked to help establish the breed, following the approved standards for both health and appearance. Although the breed was created and developed in the United States, there are now registered breeders in Australia, New Zealand and Canada that have kittens for sale. The usual price for a Cheetoh kitten is around $400 to $800.
Les chats peuvent se reproduire à partir de 8 mois. La gestation peut durer entre 56 et 71 jours. Une portée comporte en moyenne 3 à 5 chatons et peut se produire deux fois par an. Cependant, les chats de grande taille ont souvent plus de petits. La chatte allaite ses petits pendant six semaines environ.
TICA makes no representations or warranties with respect to the breeding or business practices of any of the persons listed. TICA strongly recommends that transactions with breeders be undertaken with the same caution and due diligence as one would devote to any important business matter.
This is a relatively new breed from the United States. The creation of this breed was an unforeseen result (a pleasant accident) of an experimental breeding program. Here is a potted history in table form. Due to the accidental nature of the creation of this breed it was called “Accicat” at one time. To add a bit of spice to the discussion there is (I think the breed is current or experimental) an associated cat breed called the Classicat.
The goal the creators of the Cheetoh breed had was to develop a feline that resembles a wild cat more than any other domesticated breed. That’s why they have more prominent ears and smaller almond eyes, as well as chiseled face features. Their jaw is strong and their muzzle broad and more defined, giving them that signature cheetah appearance. Larger than both the Ocicat and the Bengal, the Cheetoh cats can weigh between 15 and 23 pounds, with males being larger than females. Their athletic figure and muscular build, however, isn’t the only thing about their bodies that gives the impression you have a miniature leopard walking around. The Cheetoh cat has a characteristic low-shouldered walk, similar to the one seen with big cats of the wild, a trait inherited from the Ocicat.
The gentle and playful Ocicat is well suited to life with families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He can learn tricks, enjoys interactive toys, and loves the attention he receives from children who treat him politely and with respect. Supervise young children and show them how to pet the cat nicely. Instead of holding or carrying the cat, have them sit on the floor and pet him.
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The devoted and playful Ocicat loves people and will trail their footsteps through the house or ride on a shoulder. Guests are welcomed by this generally social cat as new opportunities for petting or lap sitting. Ocicats don’t even mind being carried around as long as they are with you. As with any animal, they come in a range of personalities, so some are more shy than others.
The Ocicat stands out for his spotted coat, which gives him the look of a small wildcat. The short, smooth, satiny coat comes in 12 colors, all of which feature dark thumbprint-shaped spots on a light background. Like the Abyssinian, which was one of his ancestors, the Ocicat has what’s called an agouti coat, meaning that each hair has several bands of color (the exception is the tip of the tail). The spots are formed where those bands of color meet.
