Kao mani: features, choice and subtleties of care

Kao mani cats, barely appearing on the free market, managed to become a real hit among the rich and famous breeders. For many years, this breed was completely closed from free sale and remained available only to selected representatives of the Thai aristocracy. In Thailand, these animals are valued incredibly today, only about 100 purebred cats are in breeding. Outside the country, the number of livestock is also not too high - about 200 individuals - which makes the breed one of the most expensive on the planet.

Khao Manee is often referred to as khao mani or cats with diamond eyes. Snow-white animals possess regal grace and unique external data. The main features of this breed of cats are associated with different eye colors. In addition, they have high intelligence, are quite well socialized and are able to decorate with their presence the most respectable interior.

Before studying the description of the appearance of Thai kao mani cats, you need to immerse yourself in the history of their origin. The first mention of snow-white cats from Thailand is found in national literature as early as 1350. The breed in its modern version was recognized by TICA felinologists in 2009, and it was admitted to exhibitions in 2012. Moreover, specialists from other popular organizations are still not ready to recognize kao mani because of its small size.

For a long time - more than seven centuries in a row - the Thai royal court was the only breeder of the Diamond Eye breed. It is this factor, according to experts, that allowed to keep the blood clean.Animals were bred within the population, with little or no admixture of fresh blood.

Interestingly, the original or local name of the breed sounded like Khao Plort - all white. It is assumed that in breeding animals with a snow-white color, Siamese cats of the color point-point were involved, which, when mixed with domestic purebred animals, can produce such offspring. In addition, kittens obtained by such a cross have heterochromia — a genetic anomaly that provides animals with eyes of different colors.

Kao mani - not the largest representatives of the cat family. Adult cats grow up to 5 kg, cats - up to 3.6 kg with a height at the withers of 25-30 cm. The muscles of the animal are quite well developed, the outlines of the body are elongated, the back is straight, the chest is much wider than that of Siamese counterparts. For the eastern breed, the kao mani has rather strong and short legs - they do not differ in excessive grace, they indicate the strength and strength of the fold. On the limbs are uniformly colored paw pads, without spotting.

The tail of cats is of medium length, mobile. With active movement, it helps the animal to flanch and make the most risky jumps and somersaults. The coat color of the animal is exclusively snow-white, the fur coat is dense, smooth, silky, with a small amount of undercoat.

The head of a kao mani cat is wedge-shaped, has a shape characteristic of all eastern representatives of the cat family. The line of the cheekbones is high, with a slight rounding; in young animals, the cheeks may be slightly dense, as this grows, this characteristic feature appears brighter. The area located under the mustache is pronounced, the nose with a clear stop, convex on the nose, wide forehead, giving the cat solidity. Widely spaced large ears slightly pubescent, arranged vertically.

The eyes of kao mani cats deserve special attention of felinologists and just fans of the breed. Large, with an almond-shaped incision, they have a characteristic reflection similar to the brilliance of diamonds. If the animal has a single-color iris, it has a blue tint.

The manifestation of heterochromia is also a sure sign of purebred breeding. With a different color of the iris, one eye is blue, the second usually has a green or yellow color.

Kittens and adult kao mani are allowed to participate in exhibitions only in the framework of events organized by TICA. It evaluates the exterior of purebred animals, reveals their potential as producers. Breeding marriage breeds include:

• the appearance of a copper shade of the eyes;
• strabismus;
• underdevelopment of the chin;
• deformation of the tail (kinks, wrong direction of growth);
• blotches of a different color on the surface of a white fur coat;
• excessive grace of physique;
• excessively small ears or eyes;
• manifestation of aggression in character.

Khao mani cat breed is an excellent companion for a person in need of a pleasant society. A friendly animal is not aggressive, easily learns the basic rules of behavior and can even learn various tricks. High intelligence combined with sociability allows cats of this breed to easily find a common language with children. They get along well with other pets.

It is important to remember that the breed is distinguished by social activity - it has high needs for communication, games, human care. The animal literally follows the owner on the heels, in addition, he is characterized by “talkativeness” - the range of sounds can surprise people familiar with oriental cats only by silent Siamese.

If the representative of the kao mani breed has to remain alone for a long time, breeders recommend taking a second cat or cat to them. In this case, the animal will not be bored, show signs of destructive behavior or fall into aggression. It is important to consider that Thai royal cats have a loud piercing voice and do not hesitate to state their needs. For people who are not inclined to dialogue with a pet, such a moment in communication with a cat can be a problem.

Kao mani kittens are representatives of a unique breed with a certain set of external characteristics. Not every animal with a white color and eyes of a different color belongs to this unique species. That is why when buying and choosing a baby do not rush. Do not believe the promises of selling a kitten from a Russian cattery or from the territory of the CIS countries. The breed is so small that it barely totals 200-300 adults.

Today kao mani nurseries and breeders are only in the USA, Great Britain, Spain, and Thailand. The most famous of them are Odyssey, Nova, WhiteGemCattery.

How to identify healthy kittens when selecting and buying? First of all, you need to look at the condition of the furry coat. On a snow-white surface there should not be yellow or contrasting dark, colored spots. The appearance of the animal does not differ in adulthood and infancy, only the coat has a more fluffy, disheveled appearance. As they grow older, the coat becomes smooth and fairly dense.

Eyes and ears are important indicators of a kitten's health. The animal should not have traces of purulent discharge on the face, the hair around the eyes remains snow-white. The inside of the auricle is another important indicator. Traces of contamination, sores, black spots, combed wounds indicate problems. In addition, when choosing a kao mani kitten, you need to follow:

• behind the features of the coat - it should be shiny, supple, healthy and clean;
• digestive system - an inflamed, tense tummy, anxiety during palpation are an alarming symptom;
• no signs of a cold - sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge;
• manifestations of activity - the baby should be cheerful, playful, curious;
• lack of hearing abnormalities - the kitten must respond to the call, respond to the nickname assigned to it;
• having hygienic skills - by the time of moving to a new house, the pet must be able to use the toilet, wash itself.

Do not rush with the weaning of the pet from the mother. The kao mani kids quite successfully adapt to the new house after reaching the age of three months. It is important to note that when buying from individuals (outside nurseries), genetic confirmation of the kitten's belonging to this breed should be required - there are no other ways to prove blood purity.

Choosing a name for a kao mani cat is a serious task. Of course, in the nursery or at the breeder, the animal is likely to get a loud and pathos nickname for presentation at exhibitions. But at home, calling a pet with a full name is not very convenient. Among the name options for the Royal Thai, the following available versions can be considered.

• By the names of famous Thai personalities - Vanessa May, Tiger Woods or one of the most popular options in the country.For girls, you can offer options for the Court (means “lady”), Vanida (“girl”), Bunsy (beauty worthy of respect), Tasani (“beautiful eyes”). For boys, the names will be more courageous - Keith or “honor”, ​​Narong (“winner”).
• By geographic place names. Samui, Surin, Moon, Ping are easily remembered nicknames that can emphasize the historical origin of the breed.
• Given the features of appearance. You can call an animal Diamond - a diamond, Snowy, Azur (for blue-eyed cats), Skye.
• Based on the characteristics of the character. Sweetie, Sunny, Missy are good for kitties. Strong, Thunder, Hiro - for boys.

Accustomed to the royal level of amenities and distinguished by a high cost, kao mani cats today live in high comfort conditions. Pets perfectly adapt to life in a city apartment or private house, always show goodwill to people. But an active and moving animal needs entertainment. As a rule, a variety of toys act in this capacity, as well as tree branches that can be jumped that imitate wildlife, couches fixed at a height, claws with different tiers of height.

It is important to know that the kao mani cat breed belongs to the category of animals that do not need a free range. Bred in the palace chambers, they prefer home coziness and comfort to any other pastime options. It is worth protecting the pet from prolonged contact with the sun. For cats with white hair and delicate skin, ultraviolet is fatal, can lead to burns.

Unprotected areas of the skin of the pet should be examined regularly to identify possible signs of a negative effect in a timely manner.

When choosing a couch you need to focus on the nature of the animal. Cats more often prefer open baskets with high sides, from which it is convenient for them to view the whole house. A kitty may prefer an individual shelter in the form of a house or a couch, equipped at a height. To send hygiene needs, it is advisable to purchase a tray with sides more than 6 cm high for the animal.

When it comes to nutrition, khao mani cats are relatively unpretentious. For them, it is recommended to purchase a ready-made diet of the super premium class, which allows the animal to give all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Kao mani is not prone to obesity, adult animals are usually fed up to two times a day.

When choosing a natural menu, preference should be given to a balanced set of products with low-fat white meat, offal, cereals, vegetables and sour-milk products.

Khao mani cats are fairly clean animals with well-developed hygiene skills. Animals do not have a thick undercoat, so they do not require careful and regular combing. It is enough just to purchase rubberized brushes and remove dead hairs weekly. Cats are very supportive of this procedure, and, in general, like to be near the owner.

Cao mani cats need water treatments not too often. For the most part, the animal copes with cleaning the fur coat on its own. But if the whiteness faded, it is worth subjecting the capricious Thai to bathing.

Ear cleansing is a rather delicate matter.It is carried out regularly with a soft swab or a special sanitary napkin. Instead of clipping a claw, it’s better to train the animal to use a special sharpener - then grinding the stratum corneum does not become a traumatic procedure.

Khao mani cats, which are distinguished by a pure snow-white shade of wool, demonstrate an average life expectancy of 10–12 years. But the genetic characteristics of the breed bring some features to its content. For example, when it comes to the risks of detecting cancer, these cats are in the forefront. Owners of snow-white wool should avoid prolonged contact with the sun. With visual monitoring of the animal’s health, one should pay attention to the areas that are least densely covered with hairs - ears, head.

Another important point - high risks of deafness. Albinos, as well as blue-eyed cats with white hair, are traditionally predisposed to this defect. Up to 35% of animals are rejected precisely because of a lack of hearing.

Another hereditary factor is the predisposition to the development of gum inflammation. In order to prevent possible problems, it is necessary to carry out regular veterinary monitoring, to ensure that the state of the animal’s health is checked by a doctor when tartar is detected, enamel color changes, and bloody discharge in the oral cavity.

Interesting facts about the kao mani cat breed can be found in the next video.