Korat Cat: Breed Info, Pictures, Care, Traits & Facts

If you’re just now hearing about the Korat cat, you’re not alone. The Korat is an extremely rare cat, even in Thailand, where it originates. This breed didn’t arrive in the United States until 1959, when a retired couple returned to the US after living in Thailand.

This stunning cat breed has a heart-shaped head and green, round eyes. They are a natural cat breed, meaning they have no other genetics linked to another breed.

Let’s look at some helpful tips before buying a Korat cat to help determine if they’re your perfect match.

Korat Kittens

Korat cats are known for being energetic and intelligent animals. They do well with most people, aside from young children. When you give them plenty of exercise and take them to their annual vet check-ups, they can live a long and healthy life by your side.3 Little-Known Facts About the Korat

1. Korats are the “good luck cat” of Thailand.

Cats are highly revered in Thailand and believed to bring good luck to the owner for different reasons. In Thailand, Korat cats are known as Si-Sawaat or the “good luck cat.” Korat cats were explicitly used in rain ceremonies because their gray fur resembles rain clouds.

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2. Korats were never sold in Thailand.

Because they are seen as good luck, Korat cats were never sold in Thailand. Instead, they were gifted in pairs to family and friends who needed good luck. This is why the first couple to bring the Korat to the US was given their cats.

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3. The Korat was not used to create other cat breeds until recently.

Korats are believed to be one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. Interestingly, they were not used for crossbreeding for some time.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Korat Cat

Surprisingly, Korat cats have a similar temperament to that of a dog. These cats are highly energetic, so vigorous playtime is a must. They enjoy exploring the house and learning new tricks with their toys. In fact, it’s a good idea to give your cat some supervised outdoor time because of their high energy.

Korats are equally laid back as much as they are active. They love the company of their owners and even other pets, so if you want to relax, your Korat will do the same. Prepare

for your Korat to follow you around the house and try to chit-chat along the way. They can even be possessive. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t love more than one person.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

As we said before, Korats are very energetic. This can be a positive for families with children who want an animal to play with. However, they do better in families with older children. children.

This doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck with owning a Korat. Kids can learn how to respectfully handle animals. As long as your children can uphold the rules of handling your Korat, everyone should live in harmony.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Korats can get along just fine with other pets. It just depends on how you introduce the animals to each other.

Adult Korats can learn to establish a relationship with other pets, or you can raise a Korat around other animals. It’s wise to avoid introducing small pets, like rodents, to your Korat since they may think it’s a new toy or snack—they are cats, after all!

Building relationships only helps your Korat. They are often gifted in pairs in Thailand, so they prefer the company of another Korat cat. However, they will do well with other cat breeds as long as you introduce them slowly.

Things to Know When Owning a Korat:

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Korat cats do best on a diet that’s rich in protein. Dry kibble will have all your cat’s nutrients, including taurine. Wet food is a great choice if you want to add more moisture to your cat’s diet.

You can always try feeding a homemade diet so long as you follow the strict cat nutrition guidelines. Keep

your cat’s age in mind. Cats’ bodies start to slow down around 7 years old, so you may need to make adjustments by adding vitamins or switching to different food.

Weight and energy output are other factors to consider. Generally, house cats should be fed about ¼ cup of dry food twice a day. However, this changes based on the cat’s weight and energy output. Korats will often burn many calories due to energy levels and sometimes require more food than other breeds.

If you’re unsure about feeding requirements, call your veterinarian for advice.

While providing our feline companions with high-quality food is paramount, selecting the right food and water bowl is equally important. The modern yet practical design of our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl combines cat-catered features, like whisker-friendly shallow dishes and slight elevation, with a contemporary style aimed at protecting your floors from messy eating and drinking. The NomNom is entirely dishwasher safe and was thoughtfully created with your cat’s health and well-being in mind. 

Exercise 🐈

You won’t need to convince a Korat to play with you. This cat breed can go from zero to 100 in seconds. Classic cat toys, like mice and laser pointers, are always a great idea. You can even get creative and try installing some kitty shelves on your walls for them to jump on. If that doesn’t interest you, having at least one cat tree in your house is best, but having two cat trees is better.

Playing with your cat is essential for building a relationship, so grab a bird toy or string and prepare for the hunt.

Training 🧶

Your Korat shouldn’t have any issues learning new tricks or commands. Most cats have no trouble learning to use the litter box. Ultimately, house training this breed is no problem.

Leash training a Korat is also fairly easy compared to other breeds. You’ll need to train your Korat to wear a harness before stepping outside. Eventually, like a dog, your cat will associate the leash and harness with the great outdoors.

Grooming ✂️

Luckily, Korats don’t shed a lot. You don’t need to bathe your Korat very often since many cats are excellent groomers. You will have to clean their ears and brush their teeth, and they could benefit from a good coat brushing once a week. However, many Korats can get away with monthly brushing.

You can use water and a cotton ball to clean the cat’s ears or talk to your vet about a prescription ear cleaner if you notice your Korat’s ears are dirty.

Use an enzymatic cat toothpaste to help break down tartar buildup. Doing so helps prevent dental disease further down the road. You can use a baby toothbrush or a finger toothbrush to help distribute the toothpaste on the teeth.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Anytime you’re thinking about getting a new pet, it helps to know what health conditions the breed is susceptible to. Thankfully, the Korat cat doesn’t have any serious health concerns. Even as a purebred, the Korat has existed for hundreds of years and has a near-perfect bill of health.

However, no pet is perfect, and there are always health concerns owners should be aware of.

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Male vs. Female

Female Korats tend to be daintier than males. Males have more prominent features and will weigh a couple more pounds than a female Korat. Despite their gender, all Korats slowly mature. They won’t reach full physical maturity until they’re 3 to 5 years old.

Aside from these differences, your female and male Korat should fit the bill for most of the personality descriptions we’ve given you. Every animal is unique regardless of gender. They each have personalities that truly make them individuals, so expect some variance as you get to know your feline friend.

Final Thoughts

The Korat cat is a special breed not just because it’s rare but because of its long history with the world and how much it loves humans. These cats require a good amount of attention and playtime. If you think this is the cat for you, it’s time to start your search. Now you know what to expect, and finding a Korat shouldn’t be difficult if you believe in luck. They are good luck charms, after all.

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Featured Image Credit: Gino Santa Maria, Shutterstock