Korat Cat

Photo by Catlin Stratila

The first documented pair of Korat Cats (Darra and Narra) were brought to the United States in 1959. And, it didn't take long for the breed to be recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in the championship category - the breed was recognized in 1966 after just a few short years of being shown!

The Korat Cat, originating from Thailand is an ancient breed, and can be dated back to as early as 1350. It is believed that the breed dates back even further - though there is no current evidence.

Korat Cats are known for having the most striking eyes. As all kittens, their eyes are blue in color at birth, however, as they age their eyes develop into a devastating color of green. Couple that with the fact that their eyes are larger than most cats, this makes for a mesmerizing mix. I've heard Korat owners say that to look into their cat's eyes makes them feel as though they are peering through the eyes of an old soul.

Korat cats are extremely attached to their owners, and enjoy sitting quietly on their laps. They also love to receive affection. It is important to note that the breed can be easily frightened by loud, or unexpected noises and movements. It is a good idea to train this breed to get used to sound from an early an age as possible. I suggest leaving a radio turned on in the nursery, and changing the stations often from music, to talk, and everything in between. It is also a good idea to handle the kittens as much as possible, and to make sudden playful movements. This way the kitten will grow-up much more secure, and will experience less anxiety in noisy situations. Some Korat Cats are so frightened by rain and thunder that they hide the entire duration of the storm! While it is best to begin this desentization training as early as possible - it is never too late to start. Just remember to always be calm and positive while exposing your cat too sound, and never try to do too much at once. You don't want to frighten the cat further.

Other than this phobia, Korat cats are quite assertive, and enjoy nominating themselves as Head of Household. They will accept other small animals, however, they will not tolerate other pets that demand too much of your attention. After all we are all just living in the Korat Cat's world.

As for allergy sufferers: they are generally tolerated by those with mild cat allergies as their fur doesn't float when being stroked. However, I would not recommend this breed to those that have moderate to severe allergies, as this would probably not be a good match.