All rise, let the King enter. The Korat cat — this small grey feline who has made independence and boldness a way of life. Despite its compact size, it is not intimidated by anything or anyone, and radiates an air of confidence and determination that closely recalls Napoleon. Let's get to know the Thai cat, discover its charm and characteristics, and consider who has the right personality to welcome a Korat cat into their home.
History of the Korat cat
Si Sawat — that is the name by which the Korat cat is known in Thailand, the place where it has lived undisturbed since time immemorial. The earliest records of the Korat cat date all the way back to 1350, when it is mentioned, alongside sixteen other cat breeds, in the book Smud Khoi. Thai tradition still attributes magical properties to the Korat breed today. It is given as a good-luck gift to newlyweds, to a newborn child, or to figures of the very highest rank, such as Kings, Princes and nobility in general.
In Thailand, the Korat cat is never bought but always given as a gift, precisely because its good-fortune powers cannot be measured in a price. Having lived exclusively in Thailand for centuries, the Korat cat has undergone no changes through crossbreeding with other feline breeds; for this reason it is considered one of the purest breeds in existence. In the West, the Thai cat made its first appearance only in 1959, thanks to Jean Johnson, who decided to bring a pair of Korats — Nara and Darra — back home with her after a trip. They would not reach across the ocean, and more precisely England, until 1972.
Korat cat breed standard
The Korat cat is primarily famous, beyond its distinctly unique personality, for the adorable shape of its little face which, viewed from the front, forms a perfect heart outlined at the top by the brow ridges and at the bottom by its delicate, pointed chin. The broad, wide ears sit upright on the head and follow the open shape of the face. The eyes are large and almond-shaped; the definitive colour is a deep green, but to reach it the Si Sawat must be at least one year old. The coat colour is unique — Silver Blue — and its distinctive quality lies in the shading of each individual hair, which is light grey at the root, deeper in the middle and completely translucent at the tips; a characteristic that makes it appear incredibly lustrous. It is a small cat, weighing no more than 4.5 kg, yet its physique is sturdy and remarkably agile.
The hind legs are longer than the front legs, which allows it to make impressive leaps with seemingly effortless ease. The Korat cat is generally healthy and robust and does not require a great deal of care. The complete absence of an undercoat means the cat needs brushing only once a week, while it should be wiped down with a chamois cloth almost every day to remove the layer of dust that dulls its coat. In general it is prone to colds, so care should be taken to avoid sudden changes in temperature. The Korat cat's diet must be rich in proteins and fats in order to sustain the extraordinarily active lifestyle it leads; one egg yolk every two weeks is helpful for keeping the coat shiny.
Korat cat personality
As we mentioned, the Korat is not a cat for everyone — and this is due to its bossy and stubborn nature. This certainly does not mean it is an unfriendly or insolent cat; quite the opposite. Undoubtedly very affectionate with its owner, to whom it is bound by an almost obsessive attachment that frequently turns into jealousy, the Korat cat is simply not willing to submit to anyone. It is a cat well suited to children, as it loves playing with them and with other animals too, provided it always gets its own way in the end. It tends to be hyperactive and needs to burn off its energy using cat toys, which it prefers to enjoy together with its owner.
It hates being alone and is even willing to endure long journeys rather than let its owner out of sight. The female Korat cat is incredibly mischievous — she opens doors and drawers, hides inside them and then leaps out suddenly; much as she does with bed covers, which she lifts in order to slip underneath. She can even turn on light switches and televisions, and if you look at her suspiciously she puts on an innocent expression that is hard to resist. The male Korat cat is a little calmer, especially if neutered, but is still a great playful companion. More delicate in his movements, he can stroll quite happily among china and valuable objects without knocking a single one over. The male is also an excellent parent, and takes an active role both in the birth of the kittens and in their upbringing.
Raising the Si Sawat cat
The Korat kitten possesses remarkable intelligence, learning commands quickly and taking to walking on a lead with ease; it bonds so deeply with its owner that it can even mirror their movements. From a very young age, the Si Sawat shows a far-from-easy temperament — despite being a truly lovable little sweetheart, it simply cannot help asserting itself. This is why, before getting one, you should make sure you are prepared to give in occasionally and let it have the upper hand; in return, you will have a beautiful, small feline full of love and affection for you — and isn't that more than enough?
