Strange AnimalsThe Korat is a natural breed and one of the oldest stable cat breeds. It originates from the Korat province of northeastern Thailand, where it has lived alongside local people for centuries.
The Korat is also inseparable from Thai cultural traditions of luck and prosperity. In Thailand, Korat cats are considered powerful symbols of good fortune, given as gifts for important occasions, traditionally in pairs.
History: Thailand's Lucky Cat
The probable first allusion to the breed is in the Tamra Maew (Cat-Book Poems), a Thai manuscript authored between 1350 and 1767 CE, though its illustration is not detailed enough to identify the breed definitively. In Thailand the breed is known as Si-Sawat, meaning "colour of the sawat seed".
Traditionally, Korats are given in pairs to newlyweds or highly esteemed people, for good luck. Until recently they were not sold, only given as gifts.
The breed was introduced to the West in 1959, when the Cedar Glen cattery imported the first pair of Korats to the United States for breeding. The Cat Fanciers' Association accepted the Korat for championship competition in 1966.
Appearance: The Blue-Silver Cat
The Korat's appearance is unlike any other cat breed. Three features define it: the coat, the eyes and the body shape.
The coat is short, fine and single-layered, there is no significant undercoat. The colour is blue throughout, but this blue is unusual: the roots are a lighter silver-blue, the hair shaft deepens to blue and the tips are silver. This silver tipping creates an overall shimmering, silver-blue effect when the coat moves. Thai tradition calls the colour "rain-cloud grey" and the shimmer "sea foam."
The eyes are muddy amber or golden-green in kittens and gradually change to peridot green in adulthood. Green Korat eyes are highly valued and take approximately 2-4 years to reach their full adult colour. The eyes are large, round and prominent, disproportionately large for the head size, creating a luminous, intent expression.
The body is semi-cobby, neither as compact as a Persian nor as elongated as a Siamese. The back is curved in a distinctive arc when the cat is relaxed, creating a characteristic silhouette. The head is heart-shaped when viewed from the front, a feature specifically mentioned in the CFA standard.
Physical Characteristics at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body type | Semi-cobby, muscular, arched back |
| Coat | Short, fine, single layer; silver-tipped blue only |
| Eye colour | Luminous green (adults); amber-transitional in young cats |
| Head shape | Heart-shaped (distinctive breed feature) |
How is a Korat different from a Russian Blue?
Both are green-eyed cats with silver-tipped blue coats, but the Cat Fanciers' Association standards separate them clearly. The Korat has a single, short, close-lying coat, a heart-shaped head and a semi-cobby body with surprising heft. The Russian Blue has a dense, plush double coat that stands out from the body, a modified wedge-shaped head with a two-plane profile, and a medium-long, fine-boned, graceful body.
Their origins are far apart: the Korat comes from Korat province in Thailand, while the Russian Blue is believed to have originated in the Archangel Isles of northern Russia. Eye colour matures differently too. Korat kittens have amber to golden-green eyes that reach peridot green at two to four years of age, while the Russian Blue's green deepens with age.
Colour: One Colour Only, No Outcrossing
The Korat comes in one colour only: silver-tipped blue. No other colour is accepted, and no deviation from this standard is permitted.
Unlike most pedigree breeds, the Korat also allows no outcrossing , no other breeds may be introduced. The breed's gene pool is maintained entirely within the Korat population. This is a deliberate preservation of genetic integrity.
This policy means the Korat gene pool is relatively small and closely monitored. Genetic diversity is maintained through registration of Thai-origin cats (imported directly from Thailand) and careful genetic record-keeping.
Gangliosidosis: The Hereditary Neurological Disease
The Korat's most significant health concern is GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis , lysosomal storage diseases caused by recessive gene mutations. These are severe, progressive neurological diseases for which there is no treatment. Affected kittens appear normal at birth but begin showing neurological signs, incoordination, tremors, difficulty walking, within the first months of life. The conditions are invariably fatal in early life.
Both GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis in Korats are caused by single-gene recessive mutations. This means carrier cats (one normal and one defective gene) are clinically normal but can produce affected offspring when bred with another carrier.
DNA tests are available for both conditions. Responsible Korat breeders test all breeding animals and do not breed carriers together. Prospective buyers should verify that both parents of any kitten have been tested and are clear of both mutations.
This is a serious consideration when choosing a Korat kitten. A reputable breeder will provide test documentation without being asked.
Temperament
The Korat is an intelligent, playful and loyal cat that forms strong bonds with people and is very vocal.
The breed tends to bond deeply with one primary person or family and is often cautious or reserved with strangers, becoming more relaxed with familiarity. This is not unfriendliness, it is selectiveness. A Korat that has given its trust is an exceptionally devoted companion.
Korats are sensitive to noise and sudden change. They do better in calm households than in noisy or chaotic environments. They are gentle with children who handle them with respect but can become anxious with very young or unpredictable children.
The breed is intelligent and observant, learning household routines and reacting to subtle changes in owner behaviour and mood.
Cross-Links and Related Articles
Frequently asked questions
All Korats are silver-tipped blue, the only accepted colour. The roots are a lighter silver-blue, the hair shaft deepens to blue and the tips are silver, which gives the coat a shimmering effect. No other colour is accepted, and no outcrossing with other breeds is permitted. The Korat is a natural breed and one of the oldest stable cat breeds.
The Korat (called Si-Sawat in Thai) is probably first alluded to in the Tamra Maew, a Thai manuscript authored between 1350 and 1767 CE, though its illustration is not detailed enough to identify the breed definitively. In Thai tradition, Korat cats are considered good luck cats and are traditionally given in pairs to newlyweds or highly esteemed people.
GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis are lysosomal storage diseases caused by autosomal recessive gene mutations that cause progressive neurological deterioration in affected kittens. Kittens appear normal at birth but develop incoordination, tremors and neurological decline within months. Both conditions are fatal in early life and have no treatment. DNA tests are available for both. Reputable breeders test all breeding cats and should provide documentation.
Korat kittens have muddy amber or golden-green eyes, which gradually change to peridot green in adulthood. The full adult eye colour typically develops between ages 2 and 4. The large, prominent green eyes are one of the breed’s most distinctive features and are highly valued in the breed standard.
No. The Korat breed standard prohibits outcrossing, no other breeds may be introduced. The gene pool is maintained within the Korat population, including registered imports from Thailand. This policy preserves genetic integrity and the breed’s characteristics as a natural type.
The Korat is intelligent, loyal and observant, and forms strong bonds with people. The breed bonds deeply with its primary family but is often reserved with strangers. Korats prefer calm environments and are sensitive to noise and change. They are gentle with respectful children but can be anxious with unpredictable behaviour. A Korat that has given its trust is an exceptionally devoted companion.
References
- Muldoon LL, et al. "Characterisation of the molecular defect in a feline model for type II GM2 gangliosidosis (Sandhoff disease)." American Journal of Pathology. 1994;144(5):1109-1118. PMID:8178949
- Lyons LA, et al. "Feline genetics: clinical applications and genetic diversity of cats." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2012;42(5):1111-1127.
- Cat Fanciers' Association. "Korat Breed Profile." CFA Official Publication, 2023. cfainc.org
- Martin DR, et al. "Molecular characterisation of a GM2 gangliosidosis occurring in domestic cats in the United Kingdom." Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease. 2005;28:1046.
- Fogle B. The Encyclopedia of the Cat. New York: DK Publishing; 1997.
- International Cat Association (TICA). "Korat Breed Standard." TICA Official Publication, 2023. tica.org
- Cat Fanciers' Association. "Russian Blue.". View source
- Coleman C. "Korat Profile." Cat Fanciers' Association. View source