Korat: Height, Weight, Lifespan, Characteristics Special Info

The Korat is of medium size and is muscular and athletic. They are similar in appearance to the Russian Blue, but have a single instead of a double coat, are more round in shape, and have peridot green instead of emerald eyes.

Women are more polite than men. The head has a characteristic heart shape when viewed from the front and is broad around the eyes. The forehead is large and flat and the nose is slightly downward sloping. The profile has a stop between the forehead and the nose. The chin and jaw are strong and well-defined.

The ears are large and taper from a broad base to a rounded tip. They are set high on the head giving a warning expression. A large set of eyes appear large and shiny, wide open and large in proportion to the face. They are bright peridot green but a slight amber cast is acceptable in show cats.

The body is strong and muscular, neither long like the Siamese nor squat like the British Shorthair. The back is carried in a curve. Legs The back legs should be slightly longer than the front legs in proportion to the body. The tail is of medium length, broad at the base and tapering to a rounded tip.

• Origin: Thailand
• Length: 15 to 18 inches
• Height: 9–13 inches
• Weight: 6–10 pounds
• Lifespan: 10–15 years

Breed Characteristics

The Sundar Korat does not reach full maturity until two to four years of age. But even as an adult, it is not a very large cat, although it is muscular and solid. With its beautiful silvery-blue coat that almost seems to glow, this is a cat that demands attention, and indeed, Korat considers himself in charge of his family.

Affectionate and highly intelligent, Korats usually get along with adults and children alike, as long as they get plenty of attention on their own terms. While these rare cats generally get along well with other household pets, they can become jealous if they feel another animal is taking away their belief that they are rightfully theirs.

Affection Level: High

Friendliness: High

Kid-Friendly: Medium

Pet-Friendly: Medium

Exercise Needs: Medium

Playfulness: High

Energy Level: Medium

Intelligence: High

Tendency to Vocalize: Medium

Amount of Shedding: Low

History

The possible first indication of this breed is in the Thai Tamara Maw, dated between 1350 and 1767 CE and now in the National Library of Thailand. However, the depiction of Korat in this book is not detailed enough to determine the caste depicted.

In recent years, Korat was depicted on postage stamps in Thailand. An example hangs from Korat’s post office in the city.

Korats first appeared in Britain in 1889 and 1896 under the name “Blue Siamese”, but these solid blue cats did not fit the cat show judges’ perception of a Siamese cat, and they had disappeared by 1901.

An early import, “Dvina”, owned by Russian Blue breeder Mrs. Constance Carew-Cox and mentioned in Francis Simpson’s The Book of the Cat (1903), reputedly produced a large number of “Siamese” kittens;

Another, Mrs. B. Spearman’s Blue Siamese male, “Nam Noi”, was disqualified as a Siamese, but was accepted into the Russian or any other blue class in which he placed first (WR Hawkins, “Around the Pens”, July 1896 ).

Spearman tried unsuccessfully to import more of these “Blue Siamese”.

Korats first appeared in the US in the 1950s. In 1959, Cedar Glen Cattery imported the first pair of Korats to the US for breeding: a male named Nara and a female named Dara. In 1966, the Korat was accepted to championship status through the efforts of a Maryland breeder.

Appearance

These small-to-medium-sized cats have solid, muscular bodies that weigh more than you might expect. But what’s really striking about the Korat’s appearance is its defined fur, which is silvery blue without any stripes, white markings, or other colors on the body of an adult cat, although faint tabby “ghost” markings are allowed on kittens.

The skin on the animal’s nose should be lavender to blue, as should the paw pads. The ideal eye color is bright green, but amber is also acceptable. True eye color is usually not fully developed until the cat is two to four years old.

A Korat’s head is heart-shaped when viewed from the front, with slightly large, erect ears that give the cat an alert appearance. Their eyes are also large compared to the size of their heads.

Although Korats have very sleek, short fur that does not shed much, they are not truly hypoallergenic cats.

Temperament

A deeply intelligent cat, the Korat is also a very thoughtful member of the family. Korats are quieter than most cats. They will find time to play and be active, but they are just as happy cuddling on their owner’s lap.

“Korats form deep bonds with their human family and are fond of cuddles,” says Sarah Wooten, DVM. “They are very smart and enjoy food puzzles, enjoy children if properly socialized, [and] enjoy training and games.”

They may be clumsy or aloof around strangers, but they will always look to their family for safety and watch the action from there.

Korats can do well in multi-pet households but tend to do their best with other Korats.

However, due to their social, calm nature, Korats can and do learn to get along with other cats as well as cat-friendly dogs, as long as socialization and introductions are handled patiently. Regardless of what other animals are in the home, make sure there are enough toys to go around.

Personality

Korats are not as vocal as their Siamese counterparts – they have other ways of getting their wants.

At dinner, they’ll wrap themselves around your ankles, climb on your shoulders, and maybe give you a light love bite on the shin if you don’t hurry with the cat food—but to say something important, they’ll speak their mind.

On the cat-activity level scale, they’re an 8: social, playful, and full of life, but not bouncing-off-the-walls hyper. They also have high intelligence. Like Siamese, Korats are chasers of bouncy toys, sunbeams, and scraps of paper, cats whose favorite pastimes involve active participation by their venerable human companions.

Korats crave affection from their humans and will use their brainpower to capture your lap, your hand, and your heart.

Health

As you might expect from a naturally occurring breed that’s nearly 800 years old, according to the KTCA, the Korat’s health is pretty clean. That said, Korats can be susceptible to some common feline ailments.

“Like all cats, Korats are prone to obesity and dental disease,” says Wooten. “And you can go a long way towards preventing disease just by keeping your canine fit and trim, feeding them the highest quality food you can afford, and keeping their teeth shiny and clean.”

Older kits are also susceptible to kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, says Wooten. Some kits can have sensitive stomachs, so watch for frequent vomiting or diarrhea. Wooten says these cats benefit from eating sensitive cat food and avoiding human table food or sudden diet changes.

Care

The Korat cat is highly intelligent, playful, and affectionate. These smart cats can form close bonds with their people and love to be involved in your daily activities. This is why they don’t like to be alone for a long time.

They are social cats and love to be with their special someone. These cats need a companion to keep them company, whether it’s you or another animal. Being alone can lead to separation anxiety and unhappy moods.

Exercise is important for any cat, and the Korat is no exception. However, unlike some cats, Korats love any game they can play with their people. Playtime is bonding time, and these energetic cats soak up every minute of positive interaction with their human companions.

Many Korats also enjoy the game of fetch! Korat’s high intelligence also makes them easy to train. To entertain and challenge them, try teaching tricks and giving them puzzle toys.

Keeping your Korat well groomed will ensure that it stays healthy and clean. With their single-layer short coat, grooming a Korat is a breeze. A weekly brush or two should be enough to keep his shiny silvery-blue fur shiny and in good condition.

Also be sure to trim your Korat’s nails regularly, brush his teeth, and keep his ears clean.

It is worth noting that this blue cat breed is generally considered low shedding. Simply stroking the fur of a well-groomed Korat is unlikely to cause the typical irritation of cat hair that can be problematic for many allergy sufferers. However, they are not completely hypoallergenic.

Best Food For

• Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dry Cat Food
• Hills Prescription Diet – Wet Cat Food – Urinary Care with Ocean Fish c/d feline (156g)
• Hill’s™ Prescription Diet™ a/d™ Canine/Feline
• Hill’s™ Prescription Diet™ c/d™ Multicare Feline with Ocean Fish

Feeding

Korat will need about 70-80 Kcals of food per kg of body weight per day. They are not prone to obesity and tend to eat only what is necessary to maintain their weight.

Grooming

A key part of caring for your Korat cat involves keeping them well groomed. With a short, easily manageable coat, these cats only need to be brushed a few times a week. This can help reduce your friend’s chances of getting hairballs, plus weekly brushing can help remove some of the loose cat hair that’s scattered around your home.

Although there is a different types of brushing, your cat’s teeth should ideally be brushed several times a week – always use a cat-safe toothpaste. Although it may take some time for your feline friend to get used to this part of their grooming routine, dental hygiene is essential for cats of any age.

As needed, you may need to clean the corners of your cat’s eyes. You can use a soft, damp cloth and gently wipe their eyes. Just make sure to use different corners of the cloth, or two different corners, so that nothing spreads from one eye to the other.

The same goes for cleaning your cat’s ears. You can use a soft cloth or cotton ball and a cat-safe ear cleaner to gently clean your cat’s outer ears. It is crucial that you do not use cotton swabs or clean your friend’s ears as this may accidentally cause injury.

Every few weeks to about once a month, your Korat will need their nails trimmed. If you find that your companion isn’t the biggest fan of having their feet handled, you can try different techniques such as trimming one paw at a time or wrapping your cat like a burrito to calm them down while you trim their nails.

Remember to make each grooming item a positive experience and reward your cat afterward with treats and plenty of ear scratching.

Training and Exercise

Consider your home Korat’s personal playground! These cats love to run, jump and climb. Tall cat trees, scratching posts and plenty of toys help protect your favorite belongings from harm while providing safe, socially acceptable ways for your cat to meet their physical activity needs.

Korat cats appreciate the interaction of their human and animal companions. For those times when you’re not available to bring or hang a feather stick for your kitty, consider food puzzles and other engaging toys.

Without proper methods of mental stimulation, these intelligent cats quickly find ways to entertain themselves, breaking into closets and drawers and playing with your belongings.

Adoption center

Finding a purebred Korat can be a little more difficult than some other breeds, but finding the perfect one is well worth your effort! These rare cats are unlikely to end up in a shelter or rescue.

Your best bet is to visit a cat show, where you can talk to breeders of many types of cats, including Korats. You can also find breeders on The Cat Fancier Association website.

Adopt a Cat.com

See More Cat Breeds For Further Research

• Burmilla
• Selkirk Rex

FAQs

Do Korat cats make good pets?

Korat loves people and will enjoy a home where someone is around most of the time. Like most cats, Korats do not enjoy being handled by very young children but do well with older children who can respect the cat’s space and needs.

How do you tell if your cat is a Korat?

The easiest way to identify a Korat cat is to look for a blue, silver-tipped coat and green, glowing eyes.
Check out the heart-shaped face.
Korat’s face is characterized by smooth, curved lines.
Korat’s nose will be tilted slightly downwards towards him.
Korats have strong and well-developed jaws.

Are Korat cats rare?

The Korat is a rare or minority breed in the Americas, mainly due to its small gene pool. And because they are restricted to their native Thailand, breeders are unable to increase the gene pool with imports.

What is the difference between a Korat cat and a Russian blue?

The Korat has a heart-shaped head, native to Thailand, and has a single coat of short, fine fur that is light blue in origin and darkens as it grows before ending in silver tips. The Russian blue cat has a wedge-shaped head, originated in Russia, and has a double coat of fur with silver guard hairs.

Do Korat cats like to be held?

Korats are quieter than most cats. They will find time to play and be active, but they are just as happy cuddling on their owner’s lap.