Cutest Pet Contest

Korat

Weight: 6 - 10 pounds
Life span: 9 - 15 years
CFA rank: 34

  • Lap Cat
  • Intelligence
  • Ease of Training
  • Grooming Requirements
  • Shedding
  • Good with Children
  • Good with Dogs
  • Chattiness
Breed History | Background:

  • Officially recognized by the government of Thailand as a national treasure.
  • According to an ancient manuscript, Cat-Book Poems, the Korat was created in the 1300s in Siam (now Thailand).
  • The Korat were valued as wedding gifts and were trained to check for scorpions before babies were placed in cribs during ancient Siam days.
  • King Rama V was especially a big admirer of Korats and ordered state funerals whenever one of his favorite Korats died.
  • First pair of Korats arrived in the United States in the 1950s, brought back by a couple serving in the Foreign Service in Thailand.
  • In the late 1960s, military returning from serving tours of duty in the Vietnam War brought back more Korats.
  • The Korat, one of the oldest and purest of breeds, garnered championship status by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1966.

Cat Look:

  • This muscular breed sports a heart-shaped head along with huge, luminous green eyes and a lion-looking downward curve of the nose.
  • Its cobby-shaped body is medium sized and muscular with its front legs slightly shorter than the hind legs.
  • The medium-length tail is fuller at the base and tapers to a rounded tip.
  • It sports a shorthaired, single coat that is fine texture with a glossy look.
  • The only Korat color accepted in cat show competition is blue, which is actually silver tipped.
  • Korats do not fully mature until age five.

Behavioral concerns:

  • Extremely bonded to their family and home.
  • Known for extreme intelligence and problem-solving skills.
  • Capable of learning specific words and engaging in conversations using a variety of expressive sounds.
  • Very curious and dexterous, capable of pawing open cabinet doors.
  • Prefers quiet households and being catered to by his people.
  • Can be a bit cautious, which can be misconstrued as being aloof.
  • Likes to be the one-and-only pet and can be territorial and bossy toward other pets in the home.

Grooming:

  • The Korat’s single coat lies flat and does not have a downy undercoat that causes matting, so little grooming is required.

Suggested Nutritional Needs:

Please consult with your veterinarian about the type of diet and amount to feed your cat during their different life stages.  Different breeds may have a greater risk of obesity based upon their diet, metabolism, activity and age. Thus, your veterinarian is your best source for information on this topic.


Medical conditions seen:


Fun Facts:

  • Also referred to as the Si-Sawat in Thailand, the Korat is nicknamed the “Good Luck Cat.”
  • According to Thai legend, the Korat’s good luck increases if there is a kink in the tail.
  • Thai tradition holds that a pair of Korats bestowed to a bride on her wedding day guarantees a happy marriage.