The Ocicat breed’s name refers to the ocelot, a spotted wild cat of the Americas. The name reflects the Ocicat’s appearance, especially its bold spots, rather than a close genetic relationship with ocelots.
The first Ocicat was produced in the United States in 1964 when breeder Virginia Daly crossed Siamese and Abyssinian cats. A spotted kitten named Tonga attracted attention, and later breeding introduced American Shorthair cats to broaden the gene pool and add desirable traits. Despite its wild-looking coat, the Ocicat is a domestic breed.
The Ocicat is often confused with hybrid breeds such as the Bengal or Savannah. Unlike those breeds, it was developed from domestic cats rather than by crossing a domestic cat with a wild species. Its spots can occur in several recognized colors, while its body remains that of a social, athletic domestic cat.