An affectionate kitty or a phlegmatic cat is a favorite animal in many homes. If you have not made a furry friend yet and just look closely at representatives of various breeds, we suggest that you get acquainted with a wonderful korat. Before making a final decision, find out about all the nuances of the contents of this pet.
A bit of history
Cat Korat is a representative of a rare breed of Asian origin. Another name for korats is "si-savat", translated from Thai meaning "bringing happiness." In the north-east of Thailand is the province of Nakhon Ratchasima, located on the beautiful plateau of Korat. Thanks to the place of residence, the breed got its name.
Korats are mentioned in the ancient manuscript of the 15th century Tamra Maew ("Treatise on Cats", "Poems about Cats"). This book contains descriptions of 23 breeds of Thai cats that bring either happiness or unhappiness. "Lao flower" (as the breed is called in Tamra Maew) is a symbol of good luck, prosperity and a rich harvest. For this reason, the korates were never sold or exchanged - they were brought exclusively as a gift to their masters.
Newlyweds at the wedding were often presented with cats of this breed for a happy and long family life, and for high-ranking people - to attract good luck.
The traditional rainy ceremony does not do without the korats, which are a symbol of a rich harvest. This breed came to America in 1959 due to the fact that the wife of diplomat Gene L. Johnson brought the cat Dar and the cat Nara. Officially in the United States, korats were recognized in 1965. In the UK, this only happened in 1975. Nowadays, cats of the korat breed are sacred, their export outside of Thailand is prohibited. In Thailand, purebred korat there are only 2,000 individuals.
Description
Korats are often confused with British and Russian blue cats. But they have an original appearance. In ancient times, the color of this breed was compared with the color of the rain cloud, and the color of the eyes was compared with the color of the rice kernel.
Body structure
Korat cats are small and weigh 3-4 kilograms. The apparent fragility is deceiving. If you take the cat in your arms, then feel its heaviness. This is due to the fact that instead of the fat layer, corates have a significant amount of muscle, which gives them activity and endurance. The main characteristics of the breed are presented below.
- The shape of the head is in the form of a heart (due to convex superciliary arches). Animals have a wide and flat forehead, well-developed chin, powerful jaws, large predator fangs.
- Round and widely set eyes of bright green color (sometimes the color of amber). Finally, eye color is formed by 4 years. Due to this shape of the eyes, the view of the korates sometimes seems naive. Interestingly, open eyes have a round shape, and half-open ones resemble the eastern section of the eyes.
- Large, wary ,? high set ears with sharp tips. Thick hair covers the outer edge of the ears.
- The nose is similar in shape to a lion's nose, at its tip there is a small hump. This is the difference between korates and the British.
- A small body with well-developed muscles, a beautifully curved back and a wide chest. Thanks to this, high cabinets and tables are not a hindrance for a pet.
- Forelegs shorter than hind legs. The paws near the claws are oval, the pads are dark blue or simply blue.
- Thick and strong tail at the base, narrowed towards the end.
- Due to the lack of undercoat, the fur coat fits snugly to the body. All this creates the effect of silky and shiny hair, which is nice to iron.
- By standards, the color of the korats is blue with a silver tint. The nose, lips and paw pads are dark blue or lavender.
More blue tint and green eyes - such a kitten will be the most expensive.
Character
Corates are outgoing, loyal, affectionate and affectionate cats. They feel the owner’s mood well - they will amuse, if he is sad, they will help get rid of stress and fatigue, they will “heal” the sore spot with their heat. These mustaches really do not like loneliness, they begin to get bored and sad. They need a lot of love, which, in turn, they also give to the owner and members of his family. They are so loyal to the owner that they can everywhere follow him around the apartment like a dog. They quickly find a common language with children, they love to play with them.
This is a very sociable breed. But you will never hear loud and piercing screams. Their “vocabulary” consists of so many different sounds with which fluffies explain to the owner what they want.
An expressive face with smart eyes will help them in this.
Corates are observant and active, very fond of playing. Therefore, you need to prepare that someone will always run around the apartment. They are also little thieves. You can find your missing items in the most unexpected places.
These cats have a developed sense of mutual assistance and danger. Due to this, sometimes they play the role of guard dogs in Thailand.
Korats have high intelligence, so they can be trained well, they clearly understand who the owner is. In relation to other animals they can show their superiority and jealousy, they believe that the owner is their property. It’s ideal to have a couple of korats and they will entertain each other.
Corats have a small feature - they can not stand loud sounds, screams and sudden movements, a large number of guests at home. This breed is not suitable for families with small children. The best owners are single people who have enough time to spend time with their pet, an elderly couple or families with older children and without other pets.
Content
Caring for cats Korat does not cause great difficulties, because they are clean and independent animals. But curiosity can complicate the life of korates a little - they can climb into places where the owner did not even expect to see them. Therefore, you should keep the toilet lid or aquarium closed, special nets should be installed on the windows, it is better to remove dangerous indoor plants in an inaccessible place, and at the same time check the furniture in case of a little prankster getting stuck there.
Food
Cats cats are not picky about food - they eat what they give. They can be fed with dry or wet premium food or self-cooked food. Do not feed your pet food from the owner's table, because people and cats have different needs. Natural cat food should be balanced and healthy, consisting of the following products:
- lean meat (beef, chicken) - this is the main component;
- offal;
- saltwater fish (once a week) - before eating, fish should be thoroughly cleaned and slightly boiled to avoid infection with helminths;
- vegetables (carrots, zucchini, cabbage, cucumbers);
- dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, homemade yogurt);
- chicken eggs (no more than 2 pieces per week);
- cereals (millet, semolina, rice).
If cats are fed raw meat, there is a danger of infection with parasites. To avoid this, the meat should be kept in the freezer for 2 days before eating (this is enough time to destroy the parasites). Then the meat should be doused with boiling water. There should always be access to clean water.
Games
Korats love to be in the spotlight, so they are always ready to play. A cat must have a cat house, where she can practice her acrobatic tricks, and several toys that can be changed periodically.
The Korats achieve significant success in the aport game, bringing the ball back in their teeth to the owner. You can play ping pong (rolling or throwing a ball) or make a cat labyrinth of fastened cardboard boxes. The main thing - during the games to ensure that the pet does not get into situations that pose a danger to his life. With korats, this often happens because of their curiosity.
Hygiene
Corat owners are lucky. Their house will not have a lot of wool, as these mustaches have no undercoat, so there is no molting. Combing once a week will help to keep the silky coat in order. To prevent periodontal disease and the formation of tartar, cats need to brush their teeth with a special brush. In order for this procedure to cause less discomfort, it is better to teach kittens to this from childhood.
Every 2 weeks it is worth trimming the claws. Ears should always be clean, for this they should be checked every week and, if necessary, cleaned with a cotton swab and a cotton pad. Eye cleanliness is also important - contaminants are removed with a special napkin or a damp soft cloth.
Korats easily get used to the tray, with this usually there are no problems. There are cases when the owners accustomed their pets to use the toilet.
Diseases
Corates have good health, they have a strong immune system. Sometimes seals can be prone to allergies, colds (due to lack of undercoat) and, in rare cases, gallstone disease.
There are 2 genetic diseases that this breed can have:
- atesteogenesis - incomplete or impaired formation of skeleton bones;
- gangliosidosis - lag in physical development during childhood, accompanied by neurological symptoms
If the disease is transmitted from two parents, then, unfortunately, it is fatal. If the gene is obtained from only one parent, then the animal will be a carrier. Good care, regular preventive examinations and timely vaccination at the veterinarian will help the pet live up to 20 years.
How to choose?
Kitten korat is an expensive treat.Most often they are purchased for participation in exhibitions or breeding. In Russia there are no nurseries in which korats are bred. The main breeding sites are Thailand, the United States and several places in Europe. The main thing is to be vigilant and not buy Russian blue or British instead of a silver cat. The kitten must have:
- vetpasort;
- pedigree;
- vaccination certificate.
When assessing the appearance and physical condition, pay attention to the following characteristics.
- Body should be smooth, clean, without wounds, scratches or any other skin lesions, swelling or swelling. Thick hair without bald spots covers the body. A kitten with a silver color is more expensive.
- Tummy It should be round, but not a ball (since this is a symptom of a gastrointestinal illness).
- Fall should be light pink. There should not be an unpleasant odor.
- Anal hole - clean and dry. Moisture and adhering hairs indicate diarrhea.
- A healthy kitten is active and playful. After eating and right after sleep, it can be a little lethargic, and that's normal.
Breeders are advised to choose a "medium" kitten - one who easily goes into his arms, but without obsession.
3 months is the ideal age when you can take a kitten. He has already received from the cat-mother all the useful substances from milk that are necessary for immunity, the basics of education (how to use the tray and scratching post) and communication.
How to breed?
Breeding crates is a time consuming and costly affair. This is due to several factors.
- Mating is possible only between individuals of the same breed. Crossbreeding with other breeds is prohibited. In Russia, it is difficult to find a partner with a documented pedigree.
- The need for genetic examination, which will avoid the presence of gangliosidosis and atelostogenesis.
- Only a cat who has reached puberty is ready for mating, and this happens at the age of 4 years.
Before 10 months, a carat cat should not be bred, as early birth can adversely affect its health. It is best to mate after 3 leaks. The ideal birth rate is once a year. This will help maintain the health and beautiful appearance of the cat.
Before mating, you must:
- undergo a medical examination of the animal;
- to carry out deworming;
- give the necessary vaccination.
The usual number of kittens in a litter is 4 or 5, sometimes 9 babies are born. Gray coat and yellow eyes - this is how corates are born.
Castration and sterilization
If you start a korat for pleasure, then your pet can not avoid this. The procedure is carried out in a specialized veterinary clinic, under general anesthesia for 20-30 minutes. A pet can be neutered or sterilized at any age, but it is better to do this as soon as possible, since for an animal this will be less traumatic in psychological and physical terms.
See the description of the breed Corat in the next video.