Korat – a rare breed of cats from Thailand

Thailand is the home of the unusual and historic Korat cat breed. Known for its eye-catching silver-blue coat and vivid green eyes, this breed has long been revered as a lucky charm in its native country.

The Korat breed, in contrast to many others, has remained relatively uncommon and is still little known outside of Thailand. It is the ideal companion for anyone searching for a devoted and caring pet because of its kind, loving disposition.

The Korat is a unique breed of cat that stands out from other popular breeds due to its rich history and strong ties to Thai culture and tradition. It is really unique due to its serene disposition and inherent beauty.

The Korat is a rare and historic breed of cat from Thailand, distinguished by its eye-catching green eyes and striking silver-blue coat. These cats are prized for their cuddly disposition, sharp mind, and close ties to Thai culture, where they are considered lucky charms. Although Korats are uncommon outside of Thailand, their gentle yet playful personalities make them devoted companions for cat lovers.

History of origin

Thai natives are the originators of korat cats. "The Cat Book of Poems," an old manuscript, contains the earliest references. The animals were found in the region of Thailand’s high Korat mountain range. These cats are revered and respected by the Thai people as a sign of prosperity and wealth. In their native country, korats are not sold. Thais like to present them as presents. Animals are given as gifts to farmers, newlyweds, and people in positions of authority.

It is said that the owner of a cat gains wealth and success together with their pet. The King of Siam was responsible for the cats’ enormous fame. He was astounded by the sharp shifts in financial well-being after receiving a Korat as a gift, and he even gave the animals the name shi-sawat, which translates to "the light of money."

The Korats arrived in America for the first time only after the 1920s. They quickly spread throughout Europe, starting in England. However, the breed is rare and their numbers are small. It is even rarer to come across a member of the breed in Russia. It is thought that korats are an uncommon and rare breed.

Characteristics of the Korat breed

Russian blue or British cats are mistaken for korat cats. However, native Thai people have breed-specific traits.

The animal’s strong muscle corset, shiny silver eyes, and rich emerald eyes are its distinguishing features. Cats are small in stature but heavy and powerful due to their strong muscular corset and lack of subcutaneous fat.

Standard

An explanation of the external features:

• Body: the animal is stocky, small in size, but heavy. An adult animal weighs about 4-5 kilograms, although it looks small. The absence of a fat layer makes the animal muscular, strong, flexible.
• Paws: like the body, strong, with developed muscles. The color of the pads is blue-purple.
• Tail: stands out with a thick base and tapers towards the end. Cats with various kinks in the tail are rejected.
• Head: heart-shaped. Eyes are set wide apart and disproportionately large.
• Ears: the auricle is elongated, covered with short hair on the outside, and long hair on the inside.
• Eye color: the main feature of the breed. A kitten is born with blue-blue eyes, then the color of the iris becomes amber, and by the age of 4 the cat acquires emerald-green (sometimes amber-green) eye color.
• Wool: medium thickness and length. Hair is silvery-blue, shiny, shimmering when moving. All shades, except blue with silver, are considered non-standard and are rejected.

Crucial! The lips, nose, and paw pads are assumed to have dark purple skin according to the breed standard. The lack of undercoat is another characteristic that sets this breed apart. The coat is close-fitting and thin. It gives off the appearance of being silky.

Health

Without any hybrids, korats are the only true representatives of their breed. They are in good health because they are representatives of the native species. They live for around 13 years on average. If given enough care and attention, they have a 20-year lifespan. Due to their lack of undercoat, animals are more vulnerable to viral infections and colds, so it’s critical to keep them warm and dry.

The following genetic disorders are known to be breed-specific:

• gangliosidosis (symptoms of neurology, yeast, developmental delays);
• atelosteogenesis (disorders in the process of bone formation).
• a small proportion of cats are susceptible to gallstone disease .

Long-term good health can be maintained with routine veterinary visits.

Character

Because of their intense emotional attachment to their owner, korats are bored easily and cannot endure extended separations.

Korats are by nature amiable, hospitable, and tender. Their ability to maintain friendships with family members sets them apart. However, they also have a low threshold for loneliness and are susceptible to depression. Korat representatives will be more at ease and content if they are arranged in pairs.

These cats’ heightened curiosity prevents them from being kept close to rodents. It will be your constant responsibility to keep their home tidy and organized to prevent losing personal items. Korats will conceal and drag away anything that they believe to be attention-grabbing or blatantly false.

Cats have a strong sense of jealousy. Other animals shouldn’t be kept in the same room as them. The animal will stop at nothing to ensure that nobody else approaches the owner but itself.

For Korats, peace and quiet are paramount. Cats are scared by loud noises and hum, which can also lead to stress, bad health, and health deterioration. Having them is not advised if you have young children. Living with an elderly couple or with grown children is the ideal situation. Pets often become depressed when they are around a lot of people and noise.

Certain members of the breed prefer to communicate with their owners by growling or meowing, while others choose to remain silent.

Cats have a keen sense of their owners’ wellbeing. When someone is ill, the Korat will undoubtedly attempt to climb up and lay on the sore area, applying its heat to soothe it.

Its gentle disposition and submissive nature make it simple to train. Even with its curiosity and playfulness, a kitten that is worked with from the beginning will quickly pick up on the rules, know who is the foster child and who is the owner, and not cause trouble.

Possible problems

Like all living things, korats have unique physiologies and personalities.

1. The animal is very jealous and has a strong attachment to the owner. You should not get a Korat if you live next to dogs or parrots.
2. Cats do not tolerate loud sounds, constant noise and crowds. It is better not to get them if you have small children.
3. Native Thais are not adapted to living in cold latitudes. You will have to carefully monitor the health of the animal, avoid hypothermia, drafts, dress after washing.

Care

Wool

This breed’s primary coat is medium in length, and it lacks an undercoat. The coat does not fall out and tangles do not form. Cats are fully capable of taking care of their own fur. Its owner must comb it once a week, very infrequently. The kitten will quickly adjust to the process if it is accustomed to it from an early age.

Using a specific brush with natural bristles is worthwhile. A fine-toothed comb is an option that will help you spread sebum uniformly throughout the hair’s surface and identify any parasites.

There is no urgent need for bathing, because they are susceptible to colds. You can bathe once every six months or before exhibitions, significant events, photo sessions.

Nutrition

Kittens should consume their mother’s milk from birth for a minimum of one month. After a month, the fermented milk products cause the diet to gradually expand. Add the cottage cheese and kefir gradually while keeping an eye on the outcome. The portions are raised if there is no negative response.

After 3 months of life, the kitten"s body needs protein. It is necessary to gradually introduce meat in small portions. It is advisable to use low-fat varieties:

Make sure the diet of an adult cat contains enough protein. At least half of the food should be made up of meat. Taurine, which is essential for the korat (a crucial component for vision and the nervous system), is found in raw meat. Due to its detrimental effects on the gastrointestinal system, pork should not be included in a diet. In order to disinfect meat, it should also be thermally processed or at the very least scalded in boiling water. Gradually add new items to the diet while keeping an eye on the response.

Offering a drinking schedule is crucial; boiled or distilled water should be used.

For pedigree cats, feeding them ready-made food is encouraged; canned food is preferred. Here is our rating for moist food. However, it’s crucial to make sure the following items are present if you intend to cook the pet:

• low -fat meat (at least half of the diet);
• Fish – weekly, 1 time;
• offal with the content of cartilage;
• sour -milk products;
• vegetables;
• cereals;
• Chicken eggs (once a week).

It is not necessary to follow a special diet without the veterinarian’s advice. All you have to do is keep an eye on the diet’s balance.

A mature cat should eat twice a day on average. There are four meals given to the kitten.

Eyes, ears, teeth

The ears of the Korat are fairly big. They must use a cotton pad to clean them once a week. Using cotton pads or special napkins, eyes are wiped as they become contaminated. Every week, the teeth are brushed with specialized toothpaste and brushes.

Walking a pet

Koruta are ideal pets for apartment or country home living. They are highly susceptible to noise and loud sounds. Street walks typically result in anxiety in the animal, particularly if the kitten was not walked during its early years.

Using a dedicated cat carrier and avoiding rush hour are the best options when taking your pet to an exhibition or the veterinarian.

An animal is allowed to roam around the property of a country home, but you should not allow it to go farther. Korat has the ability to flee its home territory and avoid danger when it hears a loud noise or sees a car approaching.

Breed card

Cat characteristics		Notes
General information	A beautiful, very characteristic breed with a rich history	Lilac cats appear in some Korat lines
Character	A very stubborn breed, active, playful and sociable
Appearance	Characteristic color. Short blue hair with silver tipping, green eyes
Behavior at home	Does not like the cold, since it has no undercoat. Very "talkative", love to play and climb	Korats do not have a layer of subcutaneous fat that would warm them
Care	Occasional brushing is enough. The fur is not prone to tangling and matting.	The absence of undercoat facilitates the shedding process
Health problems	Like all Asian breeds, Korats are susceptible to respiratory infections	Follow the vaccination schedule, do not leave the cat in a draft or in the cold

How to choose a kitten

Buying korat kittens is an expensive endeavor. Seldom are they purchased for enjoyment. For sale and future breeding, kittens are bought. The majority of nurseries are found in Thailand; the remainder, though few in number, are found in America and Europe. Russia does not have any official Korat nurseries.

A Korat can be purchased for 500–1000 dollars. The cost is a result of the breed’s rarity and difficulty in finding mates. Such a costly purchase needs to be accompanied by the required paperwork. Examine the animal’s vaccination record, veterinary passport, and pedigree with great care. The kitten is worthless without them and is unfit for display at exhibitions.

You must evaluate the kitten’s appearance and physical state after reviewing the paperwork.

What to search for:

1. The kitten"s belly should be round, but not bloated. Bloating means digestive problems or the presence of worms.
2. The condition of the mouth. The inside color of the mouth of a healthy kitten is soft pink, without an unpleasant odor.
3. The anus. The condition under the tail should not be wet or with matted hairs. This indicates diarrhea and weakness.
4. The animal"s body should be clean, smooth, without tumors and wounds.
5. The general condition of a healthy kitten is playful and active. But if the baby has just woken up, it may be a little lethargic.

It is preferable to adopt a kitten that is three months old and has been breastfed since it has acquired all the antibodies and immunity required for adulthood. It is important to be aware of the immunizations needed at this age of life.

Breeding

Korat cat breeding is an expensive, labor-intensive endeavor. It is strictly forbidden for Korats to mate with other species, and finding a partner can be challenging. Russia and the other CIS nations don’t have nurseries. Every Korat nursery is situated overseas.

The requirement to perform genetic testing on animals prior to mating in order to rule out breed-specific illnesses like gangliosidosis and atelosteogenesis exacerbates the issue.

Characteristic	Description
Origin	Thailand
Coat	Short, sleek, silver-blue
Personality	Affectionate, intelligent, loyal
Eyes	Large, green, bright
Size	Medium, muscular build
Lifespan	Up to 15 years or more
Special Trait	Believed to bring good luck in Thai culture

The intriguing Korat cat breed is distinguished by its distinct look and lengthy history. In the world of cats, these cats are genuinely exceptional due to their remarkable silver-blue coat and bright green eyes.

In addition to being loyal and loving, Korats are also often intelligent and active, which makes them an excellent companion for people who prefer an interactive pet. They are also a good fit for households with kids or other pets because of their peaceful disposition.

A Korat is a beloved breed in Thailand; to own one is to be responsible for a bit of cultural history. The Korat is unquestionably a breed worth taking into consideration if you’re searching for a unique, loving, and active feline companion.

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