Korat Cat Breed: Characteristics, Information, & Health

A heart-shaped face, large green eyes, and a loving temperament will make it the most adored pet you’ll ever have. 

As it’s a naturally occurring breed, it is among one of the healthier cats to care for. They have short hair coats that rarely shed — making them easy to groom and clean after. 

In terms of exercise and activity, they are happy to play or sit comfortably with their humans. Toys or teaching fun tricks will engage their high intelligence and activity level while creating a strong bond with their person. 

This breed would make an excellent first cat/pet companion as they are easy to care for, adaptable, and easy-going.

Korat’s are social cats that suffer separation anxiety.

A full-time working single might turn this calm cat into a loud and upset pet, but a home where there are multiple people or pets might ease some of that anxiety. Homes, where they receive plenty of attention and affection from pets, and people make this Korat one happy cat.

Apartments to mansions, all a Korat cat needs is companionship, a litter box, and space to play and scratch.

Korat’s are perfect for first-time pet owners because they have medium energy levels, which = medium spaces needed. Korat’s can also be happy in apartments, with toys and activities to engage their high intelligence. 

These cats are super smart and loyal. They are adaptable and have good memories. They make the perfect lap cats with their calm and affectionate nature. 

They are social cats which means they might scare or hiss at a stranger, but to their person, pets or common visitors, they are calm and friendly.

 Because they are social, if you work from home or have multiple pets, they are an ideal choice, but separation anxiety can cause them to become vocal and difficult. 

p>Korat’s can have a genetic condition called GM1 and GM2 gangliosides. It’s an enzyme deficiency in the nervous system. This condition is fatal, so breeders test their cats.

If you’re hoping to adopt or rescue a Korat, ask your vet and look into getting your cat tested. 

The average lifespan of a healthy Korat is from 10-19 years, which is above average for a domestic cat. They would make perfect family cats that children could grow up with or adults could grow old with. 

Pro: Extremely intelligent 

Pro: Very loving and can form a strong bond with their people

Pro: Low maintenance for grooming and exercising

Con: Long absences and separations make them anxious and unhappy

Con: They could become very vocal and loud — neighbor disturbance

Origin

Thailand

Health

Dr. Adedapo Adisa:

Also referred to as Si-sawat because they resemble the color of the sawat seed, the korat cats are native to Thailand. Known to bring good luck to anyone who keeps them, the Korat cats are a naturally stable domestic breed with the silver-blue coats and love-shaped appearance of the Korats head.

The Korat cats are a slowly developing cat breed, taking them 2-5 years to build their complete body characteristics. Despite the slow development rate, the Korat cats are a healthy breed, boasting of life expectancy that falls between 10-15 years.

Despite having a clean bill of health due to being a natural breed of cat with an origin dating back hundreds of years, the Korat cat has been associated with a medical condition known as GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis.

The GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis is an inherited autosomal recessive condition in the Korat cats, meaning they need to have been passed to the offspring from both parents. In situations where only one parent has the defective gene, the Korat kittens would only become carriers and are asymptomatic.

This medical condition, also known as lysosomal storage disease, is caused by a deficiency of certain enzymes needed to break down and metabolize fats in the Korat cats. This causes an accumulation of lipid, which eventually affects nervous functions.

In GM1 type of gangliosidosis, the enzyme lacking is called beta-galactosidase, and this is due to a defective gene known as the GLB1 gene in the Korat cats.

However, in the GM2 type of gangliosidosis, there is a deficiency of hexosaminidase A and B enzyme as a result of the HEXB gene in the Korat cats as well.

The resulting effects of the condition in the Korat cats are an accumulation of ganglioside due to incomplete break down of carbohydrates and lipids, death to neurons, and ultimately damaging the central nervous system.

Some symptoms to watch out for in the Korat cat having this lysosomal storage disease include;

● Body weakness in cats

● Tremors may be seen in the head and legs

● The cat’s gait may appear stiffened.

● Stiffened muscles

● Involuntary movement of the eyes

● The cat may show signs of visual impairment.

● Uncoordinated gaits may be seen in the cats, medically known as ataxia.

 

Because GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis is a progressive medical condition in the Korat cats, it is essential to report to your Veterinarian immediately any of these signs have been noticed.

Although there is no known treatment, early detection can positively affect the Korat cats with this medical condition. 

Your Veterinarian should screen for GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis defective genes. If they are found present, such cats should not be placed in breeding programs to avoid passing them to Korat offsprings.