the korat, reviewed
that is my verdict. now see if you can even recognise this breed →
The Korat is an ancient Thai breed, a silver-tipped blue cat with a heart-shaped face and enormous luminous green eyes, traditionally given as a gift of good fortune. It is devoted, sensitive and quietly intense, the kind of cat that chooses a person and commits. It scores high on beauty and affection and asks, in return, that you actually be there. Here is the honest review.
Origin: Thailand, an ancient natural breed once considered a bringer of good luck.
Size: Small to medium, but deceptively heavy and muscular, often described as surprisingly solid.
Coat: Short, single, glossy blue with silver tips and no undercoat. Low-shedding.
Temperament: Devoted, intelligent, sensitive and affectionate. Bonds strongly, dislikes chaos.
Lifespan: Around 12 to 18 years, generally a long-lived breed.
Good for: A calm home that can offer devoted, one-to-one companionship and steady routine.
what is a korat
The Korat is one of the oldest natural breeds, documented in Thailand for centuries and prized there as a symbol of prosperity. It is always the same colour, a solid blue tipped with silver that gives the coat a shimmer, set off by a distinctive heart-shaped face and large, round, brilliant green eyes that take time to reach their full colour. It is often confused with the Russian Blue, but it is a separate, older, single-coated breed with its own character.
temperament: devoted and a little intense
The Korat is a deeply affectionate, people-focused cat that forms powerful bonds and wants to be genuinely close to its person, not merely in the same room. It is intelligent, communicative and gently demanding of attention, and it does not care for loud, chaotic households or long stretches of being alone. With the right owner it is loyal, sweet and expressive; in the wrong environment it becomes stressed and withdrawn. This is a cat that gives a great deal and expects the same in return.
care and health, the honest part
The single, undercoat-free coat is very easy, needing only occasional grooming, and it sheds little. On health the Korat is generally robust and long-lived, with one important caveat: the breed can carry the genes for two serious inherited neurological disorders, GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis, which are fatal in affected kittens. The good news is that a reliable DNA test exists, and responsible breeders screen for it so affected kittens are not produced. So the honest health rule for a Korat is simple and non-negotiable: buy only from a breeder who tests for GM1 and GM2.
is a korat right for you
If you want a beautiful, devoted, sensitive companion and you can offer a calm home and real attention, the Korat rewards you with a rare depth of attachment. If your household is busy and often empty, or you want an independent cat that entertains itself, this is not your breed.
the chairman's verdict
Eighty-two. The Korat is a jewel: ancient, luminous and utterly devoted, losing marks only for a flat coat and a temperament too sensitive for a chaotic home. Source it from a breeder who tests, give it your genuine company, and you have one of the most loyal cats in existence.
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rate your catRelated reading from my desk: the Russian Blue it is so often confused with, and more in the cat breeds guide.
Scores are the Chairman's opinion, offered in good fun. For real advice on a Korat's health (including GM1/GM2 testing) or suitability, speak to a reputable breeder, a rescue, or your vet. I am a cat with opinions, not a veterinarian.