Photo Credit: heikkisiltala via Flickr
Are you a little down on your luck? Perhaps a lucky kitty could help turn things around! The Korat may not look like much at first glance, but they are a unique cat breed with an intriguing history to match. They know just how to capture your heart too!
The Cool Colored Korat
Photo Credit: Heikki Siltala via Wikimedia Commons
The Korat has a trait that is very rare among cat breeds -they are found with only one coat color. The coat is a Silvery blue color. The hairs begin with a lighter blue shade at the roots, progressively getting darker until the very tip of the hair, which is silver. This gradation of the hair color gives the Korat a bit of a “halo” effect. The silver on the Korat’s coat is most prominent on its muzzle and toes. There are some that claim that the Korat is found also in black and with markings, but these cats are not allowed to be shown at cat fancier shows.
Coat color is not the only unique feature of the Korat cat breed. They also have large, striking green eyes. The Korat’s body has 4 distinctly heart-shaped areas:
- The shape of the face.
- The shape of the nose.
- The shape of the head (when looking down on the cat).
- The tuft of the chest.
These cats are on the smaller size but don’t mistake that for weakness. Korats are solid muscle! They are sometimes referred to as being “a well-coiled spring.” A lot of their weight is held in their muscular chest and shoulders. Their bodies taper down around the waist and they appear to have short necks.
The Korat is a very healthy breed in general. However, it is important to have their health checked before bringing them home. They do have the potential for a genetic disorder known as either GM-1 or GM-2 Gangliosidosis. These disorders will begin to manifest themselves as neurological problems and can be fatal. Tests for both of these disorders exist.
One Lucky Kitty
Photo Credit: Mary-Lynn via Flickr
Though you may not be familiar with the Korat cat breed, there is nothing new about it. These cats were first discovered in Thailand, just like Siamese cats. Also like the Siamese cats, the Korat was written about (and drawn) in The Cat-Book Poems which has manuscripts from between 1350 – 1667 AD. The Korat is listed among one of the 7 “lucky cats.” In the Thai language, the Korat is called “Si-Sawat” which literally means “the color of money.” Traditionally, these cats are not sold, but rather given to new brides to bring them good luck in their marriages. While only the ruling class were allowed to own Siamese cats, Korats were found amongst commoners as well. It is possible that Korat cats were present at the first cat fancier show in London in the late 1800’s. However, they were probably mislabeled as Siamese at the time. The Korat cat breed didn’t become official with the cat fancier organizations until after they made their way to the US with breeder Jean Johnson in 1959. She had a difficult time getting a pair of cats because the Thai people did not believe in selling the cats. She had to wait until someone decided to gift her the pair. In order to keep the gene pool healthy, Johnson crossbred the Korats with Siamese cats. It is rumored that this is how the blue point Siamese came about. Since the breeding stock has become more available, cat fancier associations no longer allow outcrossing of the breed. Today, a Korat cat is still a fairly rare find outside of Thailand.
Master of the Household
Photo Credit: Fotorus via Flickr
There is no mistaking the personality of a Korat! These kitties become very attached to their humans. They want to be as close to you as possible and will want to curl up in your lap. They are not as talkative as Siamese cats are, but they will still want your attention whenever they can get it. It is best not to leave a Korat at home alone for long periods of time.
A Korat will get along the best with his/her human companions and other Korats. These kitties are in charge and they will let the other pets in the home know that. As long as the other pets know that the Korat is the boss, they will get along famously.
Korats are very intelligent and playful, but not excessively hyper. They have very keen powers of hearing, sight, and smell. Games like fetch are welcomed by these cats! They can be very gentle when they play with children.
If you are considering adding a Korat to your family, please check out the adoptable Korat cats on PetFinder!
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet a Korat?
Sources and Digging Deeper
Korats are awesome! I’ve seen a few of them at cat shows.
I think you are the only person to reply to this post that has seen a Korat! You are really special. 🙂 You get to experience a lot of kitty beauty at your shows.
What a beautiful breed! I have never heard of them before!!
They are a fairly rare breed in the US. I don’t know too many people who have seen one in person. They are gorgeous though!
We really didn’t know abot them either, but dang how gorgeous!
I agree! They are beautiful kitties. 🙂 It’s no wonder they consider them lucky. 🙂
I have never met one, but they are cute 🙂
I think they are too. I love those big green eyes. 🙂
Aren’t the just the most beautiful breed!
I think they are gorgeous! If only gray hair looked so good on humans! 🙂
Korats are awesome! We’ve met a few of them, and love their personalities (not to mention their strinking good looks). 🙂
They look a lot like Russian Blues! The head peep has known (and has had) Russian Blues, but not Korats. Gorgeous cats, and they sound pawesome!
I didn’t know that your head peep had Russian Blues before! Very cool. 🙂 I haven’t ever had a Korat either. Once I started reading about them, I knew I had to write about them. They are very unique!
We’ve heard of the breed, but didn’t know the details. Mom Paula wishes there were more cat shows in SC she could go to again to see the various breed.
There aren’t very many cat shows up here in Michigan either. The few that I’ve been too have been really small too. It surprises me that there aren’t more of them in the south! I always think that people want to do show up here because they don’t want to drag their cats out in freezing weather.
Mum has always luved fuzzy gray kitties like these, she wanted one when she found me. I’m somewhat gray you know. 🙂
William
I bet you are a very handsome kitty! Your Mum has great taste. Gray kitties are gorgeous. 🙂
We know a Korat, Lou the shop cat on FB is one. He is So handsome!!
I will have to check out Lou the Shop Cat’s page! I don’t think I’ve seen him yet. He sounds like a cool kitty! 🙂
Korats are really beautiful. I’ve never seen one in person, not even at the TICA cat show I attended.
I don’t remember seeing any at the TICA cat show I attended last year either. Maybe they will be at the next show that comes around! They are a fairly rare breed in the US.
Ah, I had a Korat named Saphira. I loved her so much, she was spoiled terribly. Since a kitten I would give her treats when she asked for it, but it’s not good to give it every time she wanted one. Obviously, I learned my lesson when she grew up, but you should never deny something you allowed a cat when they were young. I never do it with my other cats nowadays. I gave her to a woman who should treat her better, hope she’s well.
I own a Korat cat and she is the most amazing animal I have ever seen or had the pleasure of owning. When I come home from work there she is waiting at the door,and if I don’t pay her any attention she wont let me in the door, she knows how to turn on the light in the hallway by jumping up the wall and hitting the switch with her paws, and when I am watching TV she is right there beside me, also I she doesn’t like what I am watching she will push the remote on the floor.So not only is she a great companion she is also extremely intelligent. I could really write a book about her but not enough room or time.