Breed History:

The Korat is an ancient natural cat breed that originated in Thailand, where it is known as the Si-Sawat, meaning "colour of prosperity." The breed has been documented in Thai literature for centuries, particularly in the Tamra Maew, or Thai Cat Book Poems.

Korat cats were traditionally regarded as symbols of good fortune, prosperity, and happiness. They were often given as gifts rather than sold, particularly to newly married couples or people who were considered deserving of good luck.

The breed's distinctive silver-blue coat and green eyes were highly valued in Thailand. Korats were kept as household companions and were also appreciated for their alertness and natural hunting abilities.

Korat cats were introduced to the United States in the 1950s, where breeders established the breed while preserving its traditional characteristics. The Cat Fanciers' Association recognised the Korat in the 1960s.

Today, the Korat is valued as an intelligent, affectionate, loyal, and energetic companion known for its distinctive silver-blue coat, luminous green eyes, and heart-shaped face.

Gender	Height	Weight
Male	25 to 30 cm	3.5 to 5 kg
Female	20 to 25 cm	2.5 to 4 kg

Size: Medium

Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Breed Appearance:

The Korat is a muscular, elegant, and medium-sized cat with a distinctive heart-shaped face.

The breed commonly features:

• Heart-shaped head

• Broad forehead

• Tapered muzzle

• Large, rounded ears

• Large, luminous eyes

• Strong neck

• Muscular body

• Broad chest

• Strong legs

• Oval-shaped paws

• Medium-length tail with a rounded tip

The Korat has a short, single-layer coat that is fine, smooth, and close-lying.

The coat is characteristically:

• Silver-blue

• Blue-grey

• Evenly coloured

Each hair is lighter at the roots and becomes darker toward the tip, ending in a silver sheen that gives the coat its distinctive shimmering appearance.

The eyes are typically green, although young cats may have amber or yellow eyes that develop into green as they mature.

The combination of its silver-blue coat, luminous green eyes, heart-shaped head, and muscular body gives the Korat a distinctive and elegant appearance.

Breed Type – Companion / Family Cat:

The Korat is an intelligent, affectionate, loyal, and highly social companion breed.

It is known for being:

• Intelligent

• Affectionate

• Loyal

• Playful

• Energetic

• Curious

• Social

• People-oriented

Korat cats often form particularly strong bonds with their families and may become very attached to their owners.

They are generally good with children and other pets when properly socialised, although some individuals may prefer being the only cat in the household.

Training:

The Korat is intelligent and responds well to positive reinforcement.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation

• Positive reinforcement

• Basic handling

• Harness training

• Recall training

• Interactive games

• Mental enrichment

The breed can learn:

• Basic commands

• Tricks

• Fetch

• Harness walking

• Puzzle toys

• Interactive games

Short, varied, reward-based sessions are particularly effective because Korats enjoy problem-solving and interactive activities.

Health & Care:

The Korat is generally a healthy breed, but it has a known inherited risk of gangliosidosis, a genetic disorder affecting the nervous system.

Potential health concerns include:

• GM1 gangliosidosis

• GM2 gangliosidosis

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Dental disease

• Obesity

• Kidney disease

Genetic testing is particularly important when breeding Korats to help identify carriers of gangliosidosis and prevent affected kittens.

Routine veterinary examinations, genetic screening where appropriate, regular dental care, a balanced diet, appropriate exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The Korat adapts well to indoor living but requires plenty of interaction and enrichment.

Ideal environments include:

• Apartments

• Houses

• Urban or suburban homes

• Families with children

• Homes with other cats

• Homes with cat-friendly dogs

The breed enjoys climbing, exploring, and observing its surroundings.

Cat trees, scratching posts, window perches, tunnels, puzzle toys, and interactive games are useful additions to the home.

Because Korats can become strongly attached to their owners, they may not do well when left alone for extended periods.

Exercise:

The Korat has moderate to high exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Interactive play

• Wand toys

• Chasing games

• Fetch

• Puzzle feeders

• Cat trees

• Climbing structures

• Hunting-style games

• Short training sessions

Around 30 to 60 minutes of active play and exercise per day helps maintain physical fitness and mental stimulation.

Interactive games that involve chasing and problem-solving are particularly suitable.

Grooming:

The Korat has very low grooming requirements.

• Brushing once per week

• More frequent brushing during seasonal shedding

• Occasional bathing when necessary

• Regular nail trimming

• Routine ear cleaning

• Regular dental care

Its short, fine coat rarely mats and is easy to maintain.

Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and maintain the coat's characteristic smooth, glossy appearance.

Advantages:

• Intelligent and highly trainable

• Affectionate and loyal

• Strong bond with family

• Playful and energetic

• Distinctive silver-blue coat

• Beautiful green eyes

• Low grooming requirements

• Generally adaptable to indoor living

• Good natural hunting instincts

Disadvantages:

• Can become very attached to owners

• May not enjoy being left alone for long periods

• Can be reserved around strangers

• Requires regular mental and physical stimulation

• Known risk of inherited gangliosidosis

• Genetic screening is important for responsible breeding

• May not always get along with other cats

• Can gain weight without sufficient exercise