A small to medium sized cat, the Korat can be deceptively stocky and many new owners are surprised at their weight after picking them up. Their short powerful body is often compared to that of a coiled spring. Males can range from 8 – 10 pounds, while females are a little smaller at 6 – 8 pounds.
The Korat coat is fairly unique in its color as it shimmers and shines with a silver-tipped blue hue that appears to give off a halo effect when the angle of light is just right. The coat is short and is great for people who suffer with cat allergies, as it doesn’t float off when petting or stroking. The head is beautifully heart shaped, with large expressive peridot green eyes.
Personality
These cats are very affectionate and full of energy. While accepting of other cats and pets you can expect them to rule with an iron paw however, as their place is by their owner’s side, and theirs alone.
Your Korat will form an inseparable bond with you and will tolerate no less than lots of cuddles. They crave company and do not like to be left by themselves for long periods. A Korat who is forced to spend hours in the day alone is a sad sight indeed, as they tend to become withdrawn.
They are a fairly quiet breed and move softly with excellent sight and scent, which also makes them very successful hunters. Due to their extraordinary hearing ability they also tend to dislike loud and harsh sounds.
Korats love children and seem to understand that gentle play is the order of the day when playing with the very young. A trait that speaks highly of their level of intelligence.
Did You Know?
Originally from Thailand, the Korat is a natural breed which has been around for centuries. Popularly known as the “good luck cat’ they are often given in pairs as a gift to newlyweds, to ensure a strong and long lasting relationship.
The correct pronunciation of this breed’s name is ko-RAHT, not KO-rat.
Caring for Your Korat Cat
While generally robust and healthy there are a couple of health issues to be aware of that appear to be genetic in nature: low body fat, making them sensitive to anesthesia, and genetic neuromuscular degenerative disease. Kinks in the tail are also common in this breed, but this is seen as another sign of ‘good luck’ by the Thai people.
Their short coat is easy care and requires only occasional grooming, which is more an opportunity for them to bond with their human companions. Korats are more at home as an indoor cat for extra protection against diseases, other animals, and road traffic.
If you have a Korat cat in your life, please share your experiences below.
Image: Jacob Enos via Flickr
I've lived with Korats for the past 32 years when my folks started breeding them. I couldn't ever have another breed. Each has had very distinctive personalities and routines from lengthy conversations with you to herding us upstairs to bed at exactly the same time each night and Saturday morning cuddles. They don't generally tolerate other Breeds of cat. Gentle with children, as a toddler our boy would push the cat round the floor with not a squeak or scratch ever. Fabulous loving extraordinarily wonderful pets.
We are lucky enough to share our home with Cinza. She is intelligent, has a very large vocabulary, is incredibly communicative and very active and playful. She rules the house and lets everyone know she’s the boss.
When she wants something she tells us: she has a “follow me” chirp and will lead us to what she wants. Usually it’s the “brushing station” as she loves being groomed.
She loves attention but is very affectionate in return. She doesn’t touch or cuddle much but she just loves being with us, going from one to another making sure we both feel her love.
Very possessive, she doesn’t share well with our younger tabby, Zoe. She tolerates Zoe, barely, but was happiest being an only cat.
I’ve never had a smaller cat with bigger personality and can’t imagine life without her.
I used to have friends that bred Korats. They are beautiful cats.
I was not familiar with the Korat breed of cat. They are beautiful and sound like they have a wonderful personality.
I learn so much about kitties from you!
Very interesting ! A friend of Mum is a Korat breeder, and Mum was amazed on how tiny they are compared to us ! Purrs
What beautiful cats! I was just thinking about the Korat breed earlier today 🙂 They definitely aren’t what you picture when you think of an asian cat breed.
Love those green eyes. They sure are striking cats!
I’m enjoying learning about different breeds of cats, since I really only can identify a few visually and don’t know much about personality traits associated with the breeds.
The grey cats I’ve known have been closer to Chartreux, but they weren’t purebreds. I think cats can be pretty either way.
We had never really read up on the breed differences between Russian Blues (one of the cats who came before was a Russian Blue) and Korats, so this was really educational! Thanks for sharing.
I’m competing in a cat show this weekend – I wonder if I’ll be seeing any Korats while I’m there!
We have always loved the Korat breed. Of course, we’ve always been suckers for grey kitties. 🙂
Interesting – Tonkinese, too, are also deceptively heavy. Every one we’ve had has been a “surprise” when people pick them up! 🙂
Didn’t know that Korat were as well!