Korat
Discover the Korat cat's unique silver-blue coat, ancient Thai heritage, specific health risks like gangliosidosis, and why this "good luck" breed is distinct from other blue cats.
The Korat is a silver-tipped blue-grey cat with a heart-shaped head, large peridot-green eyes, and a genetic predisposition to gangliosidosis. This ancient Thai breed is distinct because its coat shimmers with silver tips, its front paws are shorter than its back paws, and it is one of the few breeds that has remained genetically stable for centuries.
The Korat is a living artifact, not a modern invention
This breed is a natural selection that has not changed its appearance throughout centuries, originating in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province of Thailand. It is named after the province, known colloquially as "Korat," and is traditionally called "Si sawat," meaning "colour of the sawat seed." In Thai culture, the Korat is the "good luck cat," historically given in pairs to newlyweds or esteemed guests rather than sold. This tradition of gifting meant the breed remained isolated and pure until the mid-20th century.
Appearance is defined by shimmer and asymmetry
The only accepted coat color is a silver-tipped blue that appears to shimmer, a trait the Thais describe as "rain-cloud grey" with "sea foam" highlights. This effect comes from a single coat where the hair shafts are deeper blue at the roots and silver at the tips, particularly on the muzzle and toes. The breed's anatomy is equally specific: the head is distinctly heart-shaped, the eyes are large and peridot green in adults, and the front paws are shorter than the back paws, giving the cat a unique stance.
Kittens do not start with green eyes; they are born with muddy, amber, or golden-green coloring that gradually shifts to the adult peridot shade between two and four years of age. While rare white markings or faint grey stripes may appear, these are considered flaws that disqualify a cat from competition, though they do not impact the animal's personality or health.
Personality is vocal and intensely bonded
Korats are intelligent, playful, and highly active, forming strong bonds with their people. They are notably vocal, but their sound is different from other breeds, often described as a unique chirp or trill rather than a standard meow. Their low percentage of body fat and semi-cobby, heavy-for-size build contribute to a solid, muscular presence that belies their agility.
Health risks are specific and genetic
The breed faces a significant health challenge in the form of gangliosidosis, a fatal inherited disease caused by autosomal recessive mutations in the GBL1 and HEXB genes. Because of this risk, responsible breeding now requires genetic testing to ensure the breed remains free of the condition. Additionally, Korats have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis, a condition typically never seen in cats and similar to the arterial hardening found in humans.
While the traditional solid blue Korat is the standard, the breed has expanded to include experimental varieties like the Thai Lilac and Thai Blue Point. These cats carry recessive genes for lilac or colorpoint patterns introduced through new breeding stock. The first Thai Lilac kitten was born in 1989, and the first Thai Lilac Point appeared in 2014, though full registration still requires blue cats of full-registered parents to maintain the breed's integrity.
The Korat's journey from Thailand to the world
The breed's history is documented in the Thai Tamra Maew, a collection of poems and illustrations from between 1350 and 1767 CE. While early Western encounters in the late 19th century misidentified them as "Blue Siamese," leading to their disappearance from shows by 1901, the breed was successfully re-established in the United States in the 1950s. Cedar Glen cattery imported the first pair, Nara and Darra, in 1959, leading to championship status by 1966. Today, the Korat is recognized as a distinct breed with a rich cultural legacy, serving as a mascot for the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.