Korat Cat Breed

Registration: GCCF, TICA, CFA, FIFe
Country of Origin: Thailand
Hypoallergenic: No
Size: Medium
Coat: Short
Colours: Blue with Silver tipping
Temperament: Energetic, Affectionate, Gentle, Loyal, Friendly, Intelligent, Curious

History

The Korat was discovered in Ampur Pimai, Korat province in Thailand. The earliest identified record of the Korats appears in The Cat-Book of Poems or Smud Khoi of Cats, which was produced between 1350-1767 during the Ayudhya Period of Siamese History. This book presents the 17 "good luck" cats of Thailand, which includes the Korat. It is now presently located at the National Library of Thailand in Bangkok.

It's uncertain when Korats first came to the West. However, in 1896, there was a cat that looked like a Korat exhibited at a cat show in England. Whether it was actually a Korat or basically a self-blue Siamese, it is still not known.

The first known Korats that were imported into the United States arrived in 1959. In 1966, The Cat Fanciers Association recognized and accepted the cat breed as championship status.

Appearance

The Korat has a distinctive colour, characterised as silver-tipped blue, which gives it a gorgeous shimmer. The colour appears to absorb light, which produces a "halo" effect. Their coat is short, single and close lying. Their hair does not glide off when they are petted or stroked, so most people with cat allergies find their closeness bearable. The Korat only comes in the silver-tipped blue colour.

The Korat has a one-of-a-kind head structure that is based on a "heart shape." There are a total of five hearts associated with Korats. Their head comprises three of these heart-shapes. The first heart can be seen by looking straight at the Korat, appearing as a Valentine-shaped heart on their head.

The second one is found by looking down over the top of their head, and the third, which is associated with their head, is their nose. The fourth is located in the muscular area of their chest when they are in a sitting position. The last and the most commonly forgotten heart is the one inside them. As the Korat matures, the heart shapes become more visible.

The Korat's body is semi-cobby, with a tapering at their waist. They do not appear to have much mass but are unexpectedly hefty. The bulk of their weight is carried towards the front through muscular, rounded, well-developed shoulders. Their relatively short neck is heavy, connecting to their broad chest, with their shoulders slightly wider than their chest.

Korats grow gradually and can take up to five years to reach their full maturity. Their eye colour also takes time to develop. As kittens, they have blue eyes. This then changes to amber with a green tinge around their pupils in their teenage years. Finally, they change to peridot green when they are two to four years old. Compared to fine wine, Korats get better with age.

Personality

The bright and opinionated Korat is possessive of their family. They like to stay close by and won't leave them for visitors. They give their hearts to one or two people they prefer or with whom they spend most of their time. Still, they are certainly eager to accept affection from others too.

This cat breed is not a loner and they do best with companionship, whether from a human or another animal. According to stories, traditionally, they were always given in pairs, as they don't like being alone. A Korat often left alone or ignored may develop behavioural problems such as separation anxiety.

This cat breed is energetic and enjoys playing fetch, learning tricks, and even walking on a leash. It's not difficult to teach Korat cats household rules, but make sure to reward them with petting or a treat.

If you currently have multiple cats at home, make sure to have plenty of toys to go around. Korat cats are not the best at sharing, so they can be persistent about giving up their toys or other objects that they view as theirs.

These beautiful cats have remarkable senses of sight, hearing and scent. They are gentle cats that move cautiously and dislike loud or harsh noises. Some Korats have an extraordinarily quiet demeanour, while other cats are "chatty", expressing themselves through meows and chirps. Every Korat has a wide array of vocabulary – from a soft chirp to a full meow. However, they usually speak when they have something to express or need to alert you to their needs.

Choose a Korat if you love having a lap cat. They will be pleased to fulfil this yearning any time of the day.

Trainability

When a Korat is appropriately socialised and trained during kittenhood, they will bloom to be a well-mannered and well-rounded feline companion. These affectionate and approachable cats are very sociable, loving and become strongly devoted to their human companion.

The Korat is recognized as a highly intelligent cat who can learn new tricks and commands extremely easily and quickly. This includes playing ball and retrieving toys with their human companion. Because they are so bright, Korats like to be kept busy and enjoy being involved in everything around their environment. If a Korat gets bored, they find their own ways of entertaining themselves, leading to mischief around the home.

Challenge their intelligent minds and keep them attentive by teaching them commands, tricks and games. Give them many puzzle toys that will reward them with treats or kibbles when they learn how to operate them. Korats are bright and adore the love and attention of being clicker-trained and taught tricks.

Coat & Care

Korats' coats are easy to groom and maintain because of their short-hair and lack of undercoat. Weekly brushing or combing in the summer is all you need to eliminate loose hair and keep their coat clean and in excellent condition. During winter, every other week, brushing or combing is sufficient. Their hair does not float off when stroked, making these affectionate cats more compatible with people with cat allergies. Bathing is not typically necessary, nor is professional grooming.

Brush their teeth weekly to prevent periodontal disease. Trim their nails twice a month or when needed. For their eyes, wipe the corners with a soft, damp cloth to eliminate any eye discharge. Make sure to use a separate part for each eye to avoid the risk of spreading any eye infection.

Check their ears weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton ball or soft damp cloth moistened with a vet-approved ear cleaner. If the ear has a foul odour, it is best to contact your vet for treatment.

Their litter boxes should always be clean as they are precise about bathroom hygiene. If left unclean, they tend to use other places in the house.

Health

Korats are generally healthy. Their life expectancy is between ten to fifteen years with a high-quality diet, proper care and adequate exercise. However, this breed is susceptible to GM1 and GM2 Gangliosidosis. This deficiency occurs when cats lack particular enzymes essential for their nervous system's proper functioning and can cause paralysis. Some Korats can also be susceptible to kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.

It is possible to test cats for this inherited enzyme deficiency so we highly recommend you only buy a Korat from a registered breeder who runs DNA tests on their cats. Seeing proof that your new Korat does not have a genetic condition like this will put your mind at ease and ensure your cat lives a long and healthy life.

Children & Other Pets

The welcoming and friendly Korat enjoys playing. That's why they are an exceptional choice for families with children. They will play fetch like any retriever, learn tricks quickly, and they love attention from children who treat them well. However, always supervise younger kids to avoid accidents and ensure they don’t hurt the cat by pulling their fur or twisting their tail.

Korats can live well with other cats and cat-friendly dogs as long as they get plenty of individual attention. Moreover, introduce pets gradually and in controlled environments to ensure that they learn to get along well together.