The Ocicat was created to resemble a wild ocelot without using wild-cat ancestry.
The breed began in the United States in the 1960s when Virginia Daly bred Siamese and Abyssinian cats. A spotted kitten named Tonga appeared during the program, and breeders developed the spotted look through later crosses, including American Shorthairs. The name “Ocicat” refers to its resemblance to an ocelot.
Despite its wild-looking spots, the Ocicat is a domestic breed rather than a hybrid of a domestic cat and a wild species. That distinguishes it from breeds such as the Bengal and Savannah, which have documented wild-cat ancestry in their development.
Ocicats can display several base colors, but their defining visual feature is the pattern of contrasting spots. Their athletic build and social temperament add to the impression of a miniature wild cat.