fellfolioShorthair · Thailand
Korat
The Korat, with its silver-sheened blue-grey coat, comes from Thailand. Compact and muscular, it seeks familiar company and often plays with impressive persistence.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 2.7 to 4.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 15 to 18 yearsUK GCCF cat breed profile
- Activity
- High
- Care needs
- Low
- Enrichment
- Enjoys learning together
- Owner experience
- First cat with preparation
Seeks familiar people
Many Korats seek out familiar people and watch what they are doing. Sudden loud noises can be unsettling. Offer a quiet retreat when visitors arrive and let the cat decide whether to come over. Introduce other pets gradually. Give each animal its own retreat and one-on-one time with you.
Play, search and climb
Many Korats retrieve light toys or work small portions of their daily food out of a food puzzle. Alternate short active games with quiet time together. A high, secure lookout suits its curiosity; make sure shelves and cupboards on the route are stable. If you are regularly away for long periods, arrange reliable people to spend time caring for it. A compatible second cat may offer companionship; introduce the two gradually.
For practical play, food searches and quiet retreats, read Indoor Cat Enrichment: Play, Food Puzzles and Safe Retreats ↗
Fine coat, simple grooming
Its short coat lies close to the body and has little undercoat. A soft brush or grooming glove removes loose hair without roughing up the fine coat. Routine bathing is unnecessary. Handling is a good time to notice skin changes and check teeth and claws. Even a low-shedding Korat can trigger allergies. Like other cats, it produces proteins in its saliva and skin glands that can cause reactions in susceptible people.
Silver-blue from Thailand
A Korat’s coat is blue-grey with silver-tipped hairs, giving it a gleam in the light. Breed descriptions call this colour blue. The British cat registry GCCF lists a broad weight range of 6 to 10 pounds, approximately 2.7 to 4.5 kilograms. The chest is broad; the small-to-medium body is markedly muscular beneath the fine fur. From the front, the head suggests a heart shape. Kitten eye colour changes gradually, and the vivid green of adult cats can take several years to develop.
Genetic tests and family health
Two inherited metabolic diseases are known in Korats: GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis. Certain fatty substances are not broken down properly and build up, including in nerve cells. This can cause severe movement problems. Genetic tests check the known changes in DNA, the inherited genetic information. For GM1 and GM2, carriers have one copy of the relevant change but do not develop that condition themselves. Two carriers of the same change can produce affected kittens.
A 2025 study also described a change in the LDLR gene, which helps the body handle cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance carried in the blood. Among the Korats studied, cats with two copies of this change had severely raised levels and deposits in blood vessel walls. These deposits are called atherosclerosis and can damage the heart and circulation. A genetic test for this change is available. The study does not show how common it is throughout the breed.
Ask a breeder for both parents’ written results for all three changes. Have your vet explain the findings. The tests check these three genetic changes but do not replace general health examinations.
Could this breed fit your life?
Could work well if …
- You can offer an affectionate cat daily time and shared play.
- You welcome a close bond and can allow retreat during visits.
May be more difficult if …
- You need a cat that tolerates being alone for long stretches.
- A very noisy home would offer no quiet spaces.
Meet other cat breeds.
Selected by size, activity, care and play needs.
Shorthair cat · Southeast Asian roots
Burmese
Compact, silky-coated and strongly people-oriented, the Burmese often seeks close contact and joins in family life.
Spotted shorthair · Egypt
Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is a fast, spotted cat that enjoys playing with familiar people and often watches a new situation carefully before joining in.
Spotted shorthair · United States
Ocicat
The Ocicat looks wild with its clear spots, but is a purpose-bred domestic cat. Strong and sociable, it is usually ready for a game.
Sources and photograph credit
- Cats and allergies
Used in this profile for: Day-to-day care
- How to Feed a Cat: Addressing Behavioral Needs
Used in this profile for: Everyday life
- Korat
Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Size and build, Lifespan
- A feline model of human low-density lipoprotein receptor-related atherosclerosis
Used in this profile for: Health
- Atherosclerosis (ATH) / Feline LDL Associated Atherosclerosis
Used in this profile for: Health
- Korat
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Health, Could this breed fit your life?
- Korat GM1 Gangliosidosis
Used in this profile for: Health
- Korat GM2 Gangliosidosis
Used in this profile for: Health
Portrait · Korat cat wikipedia · Jacques Julien Photo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Edited
Resting head detail · Korat · Goele · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited
At the window · Korat Sisters · Therealbs2002 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited
With kittens · Korat Family · Max BOUCHE / KORAT CLUB DE FRANCE · CC BY 2.5 · Edited
