Did You Know?
The Korat is considered a good luck cat breed for brides for her unique heart-shaped head.
Size
The Korat is generally a small to medium sized kitty, weighing 6-10 pounds
Coat
Short, single coat
Color
Silver-tipped blue coat
Life Span
10-15 years
One of the “good luck” cats from Thailand, the Korat is a people-friendly cat with a strong sense of hearing, sight, and scent. Active and playful, the Korat thrives in the company of humans and expect cuddling from their favorite people. They are gentle with children and love to sit by your side. They live up to 10-15 years.
Physical Characteristics of Korat Cats
A medium-sized cat, the Korat has a “heart-shaped” head structure, which gives her a captivating mystique. Her unique coat color, with a shimmering aura, is matched by no other cat breed. The “rain-cloud gray” color with a “sea foam” silvering effect appears to absorb light, creating a “halo” effect. The light silver blue roots give way to a deeper shade up the shaft until the silver tips.
The short single coat with its silver-tipped blue color adds to the beauty of the charming kitty. Her large, wide-open eyes are always alert and observant. The amber to golden-green eye color changes to peridot green as the kitty matures. Their eyes appear totally round when fully open but give a slanted look when closed.
They agile feline is slow to mature and may take 5 years to reach full maturity.
What accentuates the beauty of the feline is the eyebrow ridge and the round-tipped ear set with a flat base, creating an “alert” expression. Every single facial feature complements the heart-shaped face and adorns her undisputed beauty.
Her semi-cobby body tapers at the waist. Her weight belies her looks, and she weighs more than she appears to be. She carries the bulk of the weight at the front. Her rounded, muscular shoulders with a fairly short and heavy neck are slightly wider than her broad chest.
A first look at the Korat gives you an impression of a firm, steel-spring. Despite her muscular, cobby body, the Korat is a graceful cat, who is agile and boasts tremendous strength.
Personality and Temperament of Korat Cats
The Korat will follow wherever you go. So, you have got to be a real cat lover to own a Korat. Else the passionate kitty will drive you crazy, with her footprints following you in every nook and cranny.
The lap cat is extremely loyal to her people and does not want to be left in isolation. She craves for your company and pairs well with other cat-friendly pets. If you leave a Korat alone, she may develop behavior problems because she detests loneliness. However, she is smart enough to switch her affection and adapt to a new situation and family.
The “good luck” kitty of Thailand is highly energetic and playful. She enjoys playing fetch and learning tricks. Korat will not disappoint you when it comes to learning household rules. She expects your love, petting, or a reward in return. She is quick to learn and enjoys walking on the leash.
For households with multiple pets, it is important to keep a share of toys for the Korat. The kitty is possessive about her toys and can be stubborn about sharing them with others. They go well with other pets but expect a pride of place.
Under supervision, the kitty can become a good companion for your kids, because they appreciate the attention they receive from children.
The smart and opinionated feline is generally a quiet cat who loves to be in a peaceful environment. The Korat is not known for being talkative, but can amaze you with her different sounds. Do not be surprised if you get to hear a different sound every time she wants to get her point across.
Korat Cat Health and Care
The Korat is vulnerable to a genetic condition, which can turn fatal without proper treatment. The disease comes in the form of GM-1 and GM-2 gangliosidosis. Luckily, there is a genetic test to identify carriers of the disease.
Keep your Korat of a healthy weight to protect his overall health. They need occasional grooming.
History and Background
The ancient cat from Thailand enjoys a cherished place in the Thai culture. The Korat appears in an ancient book that dates to the Ayudhya period (1350-1767) of Thailand. The book entitled “Cat Book Poems” describes the silvery-blue beauty as a good luck cat. The enchanting beauty was a favorite gift during the period, when she was gifted in pairs to bring good luck to the recipient.
The cat breed was introduced in the United States in 1959, when two Korats – Nara and Darra – arrived with a couple. The cats were gifted to the couple after their retirement from the U.S. Foreign Service in Thailand.
The breed got its recognition from the Cat Fanciers Association in 1967.
