Peculiarities of appearance, character and maintenance of Korat cats

Briefly about the breed

Advantages and disadvantages

affectionate

playful

smart

doesn't like to be alone

conflicts with other pets

Appearance

This breed is often confused with another breed of similar color - the Russian Blue. But there are a number of differences that set Korats apart from other domestic cats.

These are relatively small animals: the female weighs from 3 to 5 kg, the male is somewhat larger - 4–5 kg. But they are incredibly strong, have a proportional body and well-developed limbs.

The TICA organization has developed a special characteristic consisting of a detailed description of external characteristics that help distinguish this breed from similar ones:

1. Head. Korats are distinguished by their special heart-shaped muzzle. The brow ridges form a rounded upper base of the "heart", and a tapering jaw with a strong, pointed chin completes the figure. The forehead is wide and flat. The head is softly curved and wide.
2. Ears. Set on high, wide at the base and rounded at the ends. Covered with a small amount of fur.
3. Eyes. They are exclusively light green in color, sometimes amber near the iris. Korat eyes are disproportionately large in relation to the head, round in shape, and very expressive. Newborn kittens have blue eyes, but by the age of 2–4 years, the green color characteristic of this breed completely replaces other shades.
4. Body. Body type: semi-cobby. The body is medium in size, strong and muscular, with a wide chest and a fairly large distance between the front legs.
5. Paws. Proportional to the body and have oval feet. The front legs are usually somewhat shorter than the hind legs.
6. Tail. Strong, agile. It widens at the base, is of medium length, and rounded towards the tip.
7. Wool. Short, silky, without undercoat, gives off a bright gloss. The only color possible is blue, and at the ends of the hairs there is a light silver thread.

Due to their great similarity, Korats are often confused with Russian blue cats, but there are several signs by which it is easy to distinguish the Thai breed from the Russian:

1. Heart-shaped head. This muzzle structure is characteristic only of Korats.
2. More squat and stocky body. Korats are slightly larger and stronger, with a more rounded body shape than the Russian Blue.
3. Short coat, lying close to the body. The Russian Blue also has a dense undercoat, which the Korats did not develop at all due to the peculiarities of their native climate.

Origin story

Images of the ancient Korat cat, also known as Shi-Sawat, appear in the book The Cat Book of Poems, which dates back to the Thai Ayudhya period (1350-1767). Shi-Sivat, as stated in an ancient source, brings good luck to a person.

In the history of Thailand, cats have never been sold, but a pair of Korats has always been considered the best gift. Depictions of cats in paintings from the 14th to 16th centuries are very similar to the breed as it is today, and all modern Korats have Thai ancestors in their pedigrees.

It is unknown when korat first came to the West. A cat that resembled this breed in type was exhibited at an exhibition in England in 1896, but whether it was really a representative of the breed or just Siamese blue cats is not known. It wasn't until 1959 that this cat arrived in the United States.

The breed received official recognition in 1966. The first federation to recognize Korat cats was the ACA, and a little later the breed was recognized by the CFA federation.

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Characteristic

Korats are affectionate, loyal and sociable. Pets passionately adore their owners, feel sad when parting with them and cannot stand loneliness. If you are not home much, then this breed is not for you.

They are unusually inquisitive and inquisitively explore the world. Everything around is controlled by the gaze of these wonderful emerald eyes. Cats are not very fussy, although they are energetic. They are not hostile, but will fight back against their opponent.

Korats have a wide range of sounds that help express wishes to the owner. At the same time, clear facial expressions express the mood.

Standard

Korats have a silver-blue coat and large green eyes - “sparkling like drops of dew on a lotus leaf.” They are considered one of the most beautiful cat species in Thailand. It is also known for its heart-shaped head, large ears and wary facial expression.

The breed standard is as follows:

• A kitten's eyes are blue at birth. As the cat matures, the pupils become amber, surrounded by a dark green “fringe.” By the time the animal is two to four years old, the eyes acquire the bright green color for which the Korat cat breed is famous;
• The ears of this breed are large, with rounded tips, set high on the head, which is why an “alarmed” expression freezes on the cat’s face. The hair on the outside of the ears is very short and dense;
• the hairs of the short coat are blue at the roots. Towards the end of the hair, the color smoothly turns into silver, which is why a halo effect is achieved. Unlike some cat breeds, the coat is silver-blue from birth, although Korat kittens may have dark markings on the coat until they are six months old;
• The color of the skin of the nose, mouth and paw pads of cats varies from dark blue to lavender.

Application

This cat breed is an excellent partner for housewives and those who spend a lot of time at home. A temperamental disposition will not let you get bored, and an affectionate character will not cause unnecessary trouble.

Due to their high price, pets are rarely used to catch mice. But Korats are frequent guests at exhibitions, where they take prizes and delight the public.

Character

The Korat loves attention and considers himself an important person, whether he is surrounded by other cats, dogs or owners. If there are cats of other breeds living in the house, they are more likely to prefer each other’s company. Nevertheless, these animals become attached to their owners and get along well with children.

When an animal appears in the house, you should expect that the Korat cat will be closely interested in everything the owner is doing, from reading the newspaper to cooking. The pet will always be close to the person, since Korats are social animals and do not like to be alone for several hours. At the same time, Korat cats do not like loud noises or great excitement.

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These animals are less talkative than their Siamese counterparts, but they definitely know how to communicate clearly with their owner using “body language.”

Korats are energetic, playful and very intelligent. When purchasing cats of this breed, you should be prepared for the fact that your pets will need food for thought. It is recommended to acquire special puzzle toys that will keep your cat occupied if its company is undesirable.

Features of mating and breeding of the caraquet

The main difficulty in breeding caraquets is the sexual impotence of males until the fourth generation. Only females take part in procreation. Males of other breeds are selected as partners for them:

• Abyssinians;
• orientals;
• Ocicats;
• Serengeti;
• Egyptian Mau.

It is optimal to breed caracats at the age of one and a half years and on the 3rd–6th day of estrus. Both partners must:

• look healthy and well-groomed;
• have the necessary documents - veterinary passport, pedigree, club card, evaluation sheets from exhibitions;
• undergo a veterinary examination;
• be vaccinated no more than a year and no less than one month ago;
• undergo parasite treatment a week before the expected event;
• have a fresh manicure so that in the heat of passion you don’t injure each other.

Before mating, a contract is drawn up, which specifies all the conditions, information about the producers, their owners and the date of the event. The “wedding” is held on the groom’s premises, and in order for the bride’s adaptation to go smoothly, you need to take her personal belongings (bowl, tray, bed) with you. The cat spends several days in the new place - as soon as the partner does his job, he will lose interest in her, because the female will lose her characteristic smell. Pregnancy will last from 65 to 79 days, and there will be 1-2 kittens in the litter.

Without harming its health, a cat can give birth once a year - it needs time to recover

An amateur should not breed an experimental caraquet breed - the help of a specialist from the nursery where the animal was purchased is required.

Health

Both purebred and mixed breed cats have a variety of health problems that may be genetic.

Expert opinion

Svetlana Ivancheva

Vet

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Korats are considered a fairly healthy breed with good immunity. However, these cats are prone to genetic neuromuscular degenerative disease and also have low levels of body fat, which can make them sensitive to anesthesia during surgery.

• GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis (characterized by autosomal recessively inherited deficiency of the enzyme GM-b-galactosidase) occur when the animal's body lacks certain enzymes necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system. This disease is rare, however, when purchasing a kitten, you should immediately test for the presence of gangliosidosis;
• Korats tend to have a low percentage of body fat, so veterinarians must take this into account when determining the type of anesthesia when performing any type of surgery on the animal.

With proper care, the pet's age can reach 20 years.

Caring for Korats

This cat breed is susceptible to the potential for developing genetic health problems. Avoid breeders who claim that their cats do not have health or genetic problems, these claims are either untrue or the so-called "breeders" know nothing about the breed.

Korat is susceptible to a fatal genetic condition that comes in two forms: gangliosidosis GM-1 and GM-2. Luckily, there is a genetic test that can identify carriers before they are bred. Do not buy kittens from a breeder who does not provide a written health guarantee.

The Korat has a coat with short, shiny and fine hair. The fur is easy to care for; it needs to be brushed twice a week. However, you will have to brush your Korat's coat much more often in the spring when he sheds.

Equally important is grooming for this breed - regular nail trimming and ear cleaning if the ears look dirty. Use a mild detergent recommended by your veterinarian. Brush teeth frequently with veterinarian-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.

Care and maintenance

Caring for Korats is not difficult, since these animals most often do not have significant congenital diseases and do not require scrupulous handling. The basic rules for keeping a pet are:

• cats have short and unpretentious hair, which, however, requires little care. Weekly brushing is enough to remove lost hairs and rare water treatments if the coat is heavily soiled;
• To prevent periodontal disease, Korats should brush their teeth. Daily oral hygiene is preferable; in extreme cases, the animal should brush its teeth weekly;
• Cats should have their nails trimmed once every two weeks;
• If any discharge appears in the corners of the animal’s eyes, they must be wiped with a soft, damp cloth. In this case, each eye should be treated with separate pieces of tissue to prevent the spread of infection;
• Your pet's ears should be checked weekly. If they look dirty, you should wipe them with a cotton swab or a soft, damp cloth soaked in a mixture of 50 percent apple cider vinegar and warm water. In this case, it is necessary to avoid the use of cotton swabs, which can damage the inside of the ear;
• Your pet's litter box should be kept clean. These cats are very attentive to their own hygiene and the hygiene of the surrounding area.

It is recommended to keep this breed indoors to protect the animal from diseases spread by other cats. Also, dog attacks and other dangers faced by cats allowed to roam. Cats that go outside run the risk of being stolen by someone because they are representatives of a beautiful and rare breed.

The pet will appreciate the attention of a child who will treat him with respect. With proper supervision and training, Korats can be companions for children.

Like many cats native to Southeast Asia, Korats prefer the company of other Korats when interacting with animals. They can get along with cats of other breeds and dogs, but in the case of these contacts they will try to take a leading position due to their temperament, which can lead to a conflict between the cat and another animal.

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However, these pets are social and enjoy company.

Choosing a kitten, keeping, raising

Purebred kittens are bought at an exhibition, in a nursery, or a pet store.
On the market, according to advertisements, cats are sometimes sold that are similar in color to Siamese. It should be borne in mind that the characteristic coloring is not yet a sign of the breed. Before purchasing, it is advisable to examine the baby’s parents, paying attention to appearance and behavior.

If you need a Siamese to participate in exhibitions, choose a show-class kitten that meets the breed standards. They are not cheap. Prices for breeding class animals will be lower. The category includes individuals for breeding that have slight deviations from the standards.

Pet class kittens are relatively inexpensive. Due to disqualifying defects, they cannot take part in exhibitions or breeding

Pay attention to appearance:

• The vertebrae and ribs should not protrude (a sign of exhaustion);
• no tumors, lumps (symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, presence of parasites);
• no skin damage, bald patches;
• no discharge from the ears, eyes, nose, anus;
• no gait disturbances;
• the fur is shiny, smooth;
• the eyes are clean, the teeth are even white, the gums are pale pink;
• The kitten is active, active and friendly.

It is not recommended to choose a baby who shows aggression (scratching, biting, hissing) or, conversely, who is indecisive and timid. There will be problems with taming in the future.

The recommended temperature is 25-28 °C, drafts and dampness are excluded. During the cold season, place a heater near the kitten's resting place. The bedding should be warm. You can put a heating pad by wrapping it in a towel. A comfortable temperature regime is important for preserving the color of Siamese cats.

Prepare a tray with filler, bowls for food, and water. Place bowls away from the toilet. Siamese will not eat where they relieve themselves. The tray should be in a secluded place. Change the litter in a timely manner; if the toilet is dirty, the cat will “do the job” in another place.

Place small objects, household chemicals, and wires out of reach. To prevent your kitten from spoiling indoor flowers, grow catnip and grass, they are sold in pet stores. Do not let your older pet go outside alone if you live in an apartment. Siamese do well in confined spaces if given enough attention.

Give anthelmintic drugs regularly (1 dose every 3 months). Vaccination schedule:

1. At the age of 12 weeks - a vaccine against rhinotracheitis, rabies, panleukopenia, calcivirosis. Revaccination - after 3-4 weeks, then 1 r. per year, during the same period.
2. At the age of 1-6 months. – vaccination against microsporia, trichophytosis. Revaccination - after 2 weeks, once a year.

Features of education

At first, do not leave the kitten alone for a long time, this way it will quickly adapt to the house and its owner. Give your pet enough time. Please note that at the age of 2-5 months. In animals, areas of the brain responsible for mental development are actively developing, incl. for social behavior.

How to behave towards a Siamese: respectful, be patient, persistent, feel the animal’s mood. The only method of influencing the psyche is affection; physical punishment is excluded.

The kitten will quickly get used to its name and the routine in the house. He should act friendly and calm. To prevent the kitten from showing aggression during grooming procedures, accustom it to touch from the first days of life in the house. Take the baby in your arms, stroke the fur, talk affectionately. The process may take several weeks.

Accustoming your pet to a scratching post and litter tray is not difficult. Siamese are quite trainable; they can be taught:

• walk on a harness (leash);
• give paw;
• follow the commands “sit”, “lie down”, etc.;
• bring items;
• jump over a barrier, etc.

The kitten should have toys: ping-pong balls, spools of thread, an ordinary sock stuffed with rags and rolled into a ball.

Siamese are prone to destructive behavior, which is difficult to influence. Just don't leave clothes or any other objects within the animal's reach. One of the possible causes of aggression is lack of attention; you need to regularly communicate and play with your pet. The optimal solution to the problem is keeping 2 cats.

What to feed a Korat

The Korat generally does not have any gastrointestinal problems, so it does not require a special feeding schedule or special diet. These are energetic and active animals, so you should choose a high-calorie diet for them. When feeding Korat cats, preference should be given to natural feeding, but dry food is also suitable for the daily diet.

It is highly not recommended to feed your cat “from the table”, because the presence of a large amount of spices and salt in food can negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system in the future.

If your cat requires a diet due to illness or weight problems, you should consult a veterinarian for advice.

Diet

Korat kittens, one month old, are very dependent on their mother and require exclusively mother's milk. Then you need to gradually introduce additional nutrition in the form of low-fat milk and pureed cottage cheese. You can’t feed your cat cow’s milk, just like you can’t introduce low-quality industrial food into your cat’s diet.

It is necessary to diversify the diet starting from 2.5-3 months of age. His food should contain a sufficient amount of protein. For this, sliced ​​raw meat other than pork is usually used. Pork Korat is contraindicated even in adulthood, it causes stomach upset, liver and pancreas damage. An adult cat is already allowed to be fed dry food of at least premium quality.

Price, where to buy, how to choose

The average price of a show-class Korat cat is 25,000 rubles. It is recommended to purchase an animal with a pedigree from a reliable breeder to avoid hereditary diseases and breed mixing.

Korat kittens.

When choosing a breeder, you should personally visit the house where the kittens are raised, meet the parents and observe the conditions in which the kittens are raised. It is necessary to ask the breeder about the prevalence of health problems in the pedigree and about testing for genetic diseases, not only in kittens, but also in adult cats.

There are no single-breed Korat nurseries in the CIS countries. You can only find a cat of this breed far abroad: in Thailand, Europe, the USA. For example, the website of a French nursery.

When contacting private resellers, you should be very careful not to run into a scammer.

Experts recommend an organization created to protect and popularize breeds - Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), where they will help you choose the nearest convenient nursery.

Wool color

The color is bluish, lighter at the root, the middle of the coat is dark, and its tip is silvery. Thanks to this, the cat has a silver color.

If you look at a photo of a Korat cat or see it live, this breed is very easy to confuse with others similar to it. But there are distinctive features:

• stocky;
• body is round;
• The coat is not thick and without undercoat.

And one of the important distinguishing features is the shape of the head, reminiscent of a heart.

Korat and Russian Blue cat breeds

The Korat and Russian Blue are similar in appearance, so when buying a kitten you should pay attention to its physique, so that an unscrupulous breeder does not sell the buyer a representative of the more common beard. Korats are denser and more muscular, and therefore weigh more than Russian Blues.

This is a Russian Blue breed.

This is a korat.

They are distinguished by a darker shade of their coat and do not have an undercoat, unlike Russian Blues.

Purchasing a kitten

There are few nurseries in Russia that breed Korats. Such animals can be found from private breeders, but most often these are breeders who deal with Russian blue cats or British blue cats, so the future buyer needs to be very vigilant when choosing a baby.

A breeder I know told me that in our city (Penza) there are no such cats at all. I found several advertisements with Korat kittens and decided to contact one of the numbers provided. During a phone conversation, the breeder explained that the cats look like Korats, but in fact they are the offspring of a Russian Blue cat. When I asked why she was misleading people, the woman explained that most potential buyers are not interested in purebreds. They say that people often look for beautiful cats that look like purebred cats, but they don’t even ask about the kittens’ parents.

Most often, kittens of Russian blue cats are passed off as Korats.

How to choose a Korat kitten

Any purebred kitten must meet the following criteria:

• beautiful and well-groomed appearance, its compliance with the breed;
• breed-specific behavior of the baby;
• availability of necessary documentation;
• suitable age.

First of all, the kitten should look healthy. His ears, eyes and nose must be clean, as well as his skin, without wounds, scratches or other damage to the skin. The tail should be smooth (exclude kinks, knots and other tail defects), the tummy should be rounded, but not hard. The animal should be moderately active, playful and friendly. If a small cat is not easy to handle and shows aggression, then most likely he does not receive enough attention from his mother or people, or is afraid.

It is recommended to choose a kitten that will behave better and friendlier than the rest. I usually try to choose those babies who are easy to handle, but not intrusive. Pay attention to all the droppings. Some kittens will ask to be held and meow, and one kitten (usually the smallest) will sit in the corner and be silent. Such quiet people grow up withdrawn. I try to choose “average kittens”. They grow up kind and moderately active.

Only healthy and well-groomed Korat kittens will grow into beautiful and kind pets.

No less important is the documentation that the breeder has. The kitten must have a veterinary passport. In addition to photographs and information about the breed, this document contains information about all medical operations performed (if any) and vaccinations. In addition, the baby must have a pedigree. Such paper is required if the breeder calls a blue kitten a purebred. It lists the cat's parents. This is the only way to confirm the purity of an animal.

To make sure that this is a small Korat and not a simple gray kitten, you can try to recognize it as a blue Thai breed. Korat kittens are stockier and stronger than, for example, Russian Blue kittens. Their legs are shorter and straighter, and their body is more round.

Also, look at the baby’s fur. Russian kittens have a gray undercoat (thin downy hairs hidden in the main coat), but shorthaired kittens do not have such fluff. Part the fur with your fingers and look at the fibers. Their ends should be slightly lighter than the main part of the hair. Korat kittens also have a heart-shaped head almost from birth. The eyes of a silver cat will be gray-blue, but people usually don’t pay attention to their color at a young age. The paw pads should not be yellowish-gray like other gray cats. The tips of the ears should be rounded from birth.

When choosing a kitten, pay attention to the shape of the face and paws

The age of a kitten at which it is better to adopt it

The future owner of the Korat will want to take the pet when he is very young. There may be several reasons for this desire. Some people will want to see how the kitten grows and develops, while others will decide that moving the baby early will help him quickly adapt to new conditions. But in any case, it is not recommended to adopt a kitten until it is at least 3 months old.

One of the reasons for this restriction is the need for the mother to feed the Korat. A cat with colostrum gives its cub antibodies that create the primary immune system. In addition, it is the cat who gives the offspring a sense of security; she takes care of the health of her children and raises them. The cat watches how the calf switches to adult food, uses the tray, and sharpens its claws. Mother teaches kitten to communicate. Until two months he does not know his limits in the game, scratches and does not control his strength properly.

There is a psychological connection between a cat and her kittens. If you tear your baby away too early, he may grow up unstable (aggressive or withdrawn). This will affect the behavior of the animal in adulthood. A cat that has experienced such severe stress at an early age can damage furniture, bite and scratch, go to the toilet in the corners of the apartment, etc.

Up to three months, kittens must be fed and raised by a mother cat.

An equally important reason why a cat can be adopted only after 3 months is vaccination. Between 2 and 3 months the animal will receive its first vaccinations, because by this age the immunity received from the mother will begin to decline. To ensure your cat is healthy and survives in new, unusual conditions, adopt him no earlier than the recommended age.

There are exceptions. For example, if early weaning of a baby from a cat is necessary: ​​the cat has died or is seriously ill, the sick kitten must be urgently isolated from healthy brothers and sisters, etc. But in this case, responsibility for the first vaccinations will fall on the shoulders of the new owner.