The Korat is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in the world — a small, silver-blue, green-eyed Thai cat considered a "good luck cat" in its native Thailand.
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The Korat is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in the world — a small, silver-blue, green-eyed Thai cat considered a "good luck cat" in its native Thailand. The breed has remained essentially unchanged for at least 600 years and is one of the few breeds where new genetic diversity is not introduced through outcrossing.
The Korat appears in the Tamra Maew (Cat Book Poems) of Thailand, a manuscript dating to the 14th century. The breed was historically given as wedding gifts to bring good fortune. The first Korats reached the US in 1959; CFA recognition came in 1966.
Small to medium, muscular, heart-shaped face. Adults weigh 3–4.5 kg (6–10 lb).
Affectionate, intelligent, intensely bonded. Korats form strong attachments — often with one primary person. The breed is reserved with strangers and prefers calm households.
Very low-maintenance: weekly rub-down.
12–16 years.
Pros: ancient natural breed, devoted, low grooming. Cons: GM1/GM2 risk (DNA test); reserved with strangers; uncommon.
Korat vs Russian Blue vs Chartreux? All three are blue-grey. Korat: Thai, heart-shaped face, single-layered silvery coat, peridot green eyes. Russian Blue: green eyes too, but with a denser plush double coat and longer wedge head. Chartreux: copper eyes, dense water-resistant coat, smiling face.
Are they hypoallergenic? No, though low-shedding.
Are they good with kids? With respectful older children, in calm households.
The Korat — Thailand's Silver Good Luck Cat
10–11 minutes
Korat cat with brilliant green eyes, silver-blue coat with silver tipping, heart-shaped head. Caption: "THAI GOOD FORTUNE".
Studio photograph of a Korat cat with silver-blue short coat with distinctive silver tipping, brilliant peridot-green eyes, distinctive heart-shaped head, soft cream-coloured background, warm gentle lighting, 85mm lens at f/2.2, professional pet portrait photography, alert sweet expression.
The Korat is Thailand's silver-blue good luck cat — depicted in the medieval Cat Book Poems and still given in pairs at weddings. Today we cover the ancient origins, the affectionate temperament, breed health, and whether the Korat fits your home.
⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Intro Hook 01:00 Origin: The Cat Book Poems of Ayutthaya 02:30 Temperament: Affectionate and Watchful 04:00 Care: Easy Coat, Calm Home 05:30 Health: GM1 and GM2 Gangliosidosis 07:00 Training: Cooperative 08:30 3 Biggest Mistakes New Korat Owners Make 10:00 Is The Korat Right For You? 11:00 Outro
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"In Thailand, the Korat is given as a wedding gift in pairs — a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and lasting marriage. The breed has been depicted in Thai art since the fourteenth century. Today: the medieval Thai origins, temperament, care, the breed's unique health concerns, and whether the Korat is your cat."
"The Korat appears in the Tamra Maew — the Cat Book Poems — Thai illustrated manuscripts from the Ayutthaya kingdom dating back to the fourteenth century. The breed is depicted as a silver-blue cat with green eyes and a heart-shaped head, considered an auspicious cat brought as a gift to bless marriages and homes. The breed is named after the Korat Plateau in northeast Thailand. Modern Korats were first imported into the United States in 1959 by Cedar Glen Cattery from a Bangkok source. CFA recognised the breed in 1966. The Thai government considers the Korat a national treasure and historically restricted export. Modern Western Korats descend from a small founding population."
"Korats are affectionate, watchful, gentle, intelligent, and devoted. Voice is soft to moderate. Bonding is intense and often one-person. Energy is moderate. Intelligence is high. With other animals — variable. Korats prefer calm companions. They may be territorial. Children — best with respectful older children."
"Coat is short, fine, silver-tipped, easy. Weekly rubber mitt. Bath every three months. Nails fortnightly. Teeth daily. Enrichment: moderate cat tree, daily play. Calm household preferred. Indoor only. Litter standard."
"Lifespan twelve to fifteen years. The big breed-specific health concerns: GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis. These are lethal neurological storage diseases caused by recessive genes that arose in the small founding Western population. DNA tests are available and reputable breeders test breeding pairs. Buy ONLY from a breeder who tests parents and shows certificates. Otherwise the breed is generally robust."
"Korats are intelligent and cooperative. Targets: name, recall, sit, accepting handling. Litter solved by the breeder. Scratching: moderate sisal posts. Handling tolerance is excellent."
"Mistake one: buying untested. Gangliosidosis is lethal and unavoidable without DNA testing. How to avoid: insist on DNA test certificates for both parents. Mistake two: chaotic household. The breed dislikes disruption. How to avoid: stable routines. Mistake three: multi-cat overload. Korats can be territorial. How to avoid: keep as only cat or with one calm companion."
"Checklist: You want a gentle, devoted, beautiful cat. Your home is calm. You buy from a DNA-tested breeder. You appreciate one-person bonding. You want a unique culturally significant breed. Tick four — the Korat is wonderful. If you want a low-maintenance multi-pet household cat, choose a Burmese."
"That is the Korat — Thailand's silver good luck cat. Affectionate. Loyal. Devoted. Next breed? Comment below. Subscribe and the bell. Next week: the Somali — the longhaired Abyssinian." (End screen: subscribe button, 'watch next: Somali' thumbnail, channel logo)