Korat
Korat History
- 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.
Korat Behavior 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.
Look of Korats
- 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.
Grooming Korat Cats
- 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 for Korat
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.
Fun Facts of Korats
- 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.
