Personality
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) profile for the Ocicat recognizes that “never before was there such an effort to develop an entirely domestic cat which can offer the spotted beauty of the wild cats, while maintaining the lovely, predictable disposition of the domestic cat.” The Ocicat indeed does look wild. However, it is neither ferocious nor fierce in disposition, nor is it shy or retiring in temperament. This is an affectionate, loving breed that is unfailingly devoted to its owners. Ocicats are not overly demanding, pushy or clingy. They tend to be extroverted, self-confident animals that are friendly and outgoing, even with strangers. Because of their personable and highly social nature, Ocicats get along well with most other household pets – including cats and dogs. However, they are not well-suited to being left alone for long stretches of time, as they require companionship and attention. Ocicats usually can be brought into a household that has existing companion animals with little confrontation or adjustment. The intelligence and overall friendliness of the Ocicat are a testament to its close Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair ancestry.
Activity Level
The Ocicat is an active, alert, agile and athletic animal. It is full of vim and vigor, yet still retains its natural overall balance and gracefulness. Ocicats are playful and inquisitive. They enjoy meeting and romping with new friends, almost as much as they do curling up on any available nearby lap. Ocicats make wonderful companions for people living in urban or rural environments.
Behavioral Traits
Ocicats are smart and quite easy to train, compared with many other domestic cat breeds. They are known to retrieve, play fetch, happily walk on a leash and quickly learn to respond to a variety of voice commands. They are unusually adaptable and typically take very well to traveling. This breed’s unusually exotic appearance, combined with its friendly personality and innate intelligence, make it an especially delightful feline companion.