Korat vs Burmese - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The Korat cat is a breed of domestic cat. He is a natural breed and originates from Phimai in Thailand.

It is thought that the cat is named after its province of origin – Nakhon Ratchasima Province which is actually called Korat by the Thai people.

The cat is also known as the ‘Good Luck’ cat. The cats first appeared in Britain under the name Blue Siamese and later in the United States in the 1950s.

It was in 1959 that a cattery started with breeding and in 1966 the Korat was accepted into championship status.

A dark brown cat together with Dr Joseph C. Thompson made their way from Burma to the United States in 1930. Cat fanciers believed that it was a dark-colored Siamese.

Dr. Thompson along with other breeders decided to breed the cat and she was the start of the Burmese breed.

Hybrids however, began appearing in the show hall in 1947. This was considered a violation of the show rules of the Cat Fanciers' Association and recognition of the Burmese was withdrawn until 1953. The Burmese Cat Society of America then had to give assurance to the registries that this type of thing would not happen again.

The Korat is a short-haired, single coated cat breed that has a small to medium build. He stands at about 25 – 30cm in height.

He weighs about 3 to 5kg. He is known for his large, beautiful green eyes. It’s a beautiful blue-grey cat with unusual coloring - a shimmering silver-tipped blue that the Thai people refer to as ‘rain-cloud grey’.

With his silver-tipped blue-grey coat and large green eyes, this is indeed a beautiful cat.

Temperament:

The Korat is a friendly cat and can get along well with children who have been taught to be kind to animals and to respect them.

They’re also cats that like to make friends with other pets in the family. They also enjoy the companionship of their human family. They’re intelligent cats too and you won’t have trouble teaching him a trick or two.

He doesn’t want to be left alone and if you work full-day, it would be best to get such a cat another cat companion. He isn’t a noisy cat but fairly quiet, enjoying a quiet environment.

The Burmese is a medium-sized cat - fairly stocky and solid and weighs between 3 and 5kg.

The dense, short coat of the Burmese comes in a variety of colors such as chocolate, cream, sable, red, tortoishell and solid colors too. The color you are most likely to see is sable.

It’s a low shedding cat so his grooming needs are low. The eyes, often a beautiful yellow shade, can be in different shades of yellow really.

Temperament:

Your gorgeous Burmese cat is a curious cat and finds exploring new places a huge adventure. They’re prepared to get on with some other pets in the home, but they may not be happy to welcome all cat breeds. The Burmese don't particularly like sharing their home and his human family with other cats in the home and love to get all the attention for themselves.

Once these cats mature, they do tend to settle down quite a bit and become placid, being a spectator to fun activities rather than a participant.

Still, they love their humans and are more than happy to find a place in the sun and to watch everyone from there.

Think carefully before you take a cat into your life. If you are hardly ever at home, some cat breeds are very social, and this quiet, solitary lifestyle will be detrimental to their health.

If you aren’t willing to learn what the nature of a cat is, your cat will be unhappy and you’ll spend a lot on vet’s fees as his immune system will be compromised.

It would be most unkind to take a Korat cat into your home and not understand something of its behavior. A cat such as the Korat thrives on plenty of love and attention.

The Burmese cat loves to climb and survey his world from a high perch so don’t forget to invest in some kind of climbing apparatus or cat tree for him.

He tends to become a bit inactive as he gets older and this can be a problem and lead to obesity. Encourage your Burmese cat to come out and play to make sure he gets enough exercise.

He loves being noticed by his human family and will thrive on being petted and noticed, and of course, you’ll want to, as a Burmese has got a whole love of loving to give you too.

The Korat is generally healthy but even so, there are always one or two cat ailments that need to be sorted out.

If your Korat cat succumbs to any one of the common cat illness there are, get veterinary help. These illnesses can be cancer, feline leukemia virus, diabetes and heartworm among others.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) can be found in male and female cats, often occurring in cats that are overweight or stressed.

Your cat will strain to urinate, may vomit, will have a lack of appetite, lick around the urinary area, and be most miserable. The problem is regarded as an emergency and you need to get your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

These cats are a healthy breed and if you take good care of your Burmese he can live to up to 13, 14 or 15 years of age.

But you have to be aware of diabetes mellitus as well as something known as hypokalaemic polymyopathy – muscle weakness because of low blood potassium levels.

You’ve also got to look out for obesity as these are sturdy, stocky cats and overeating can lead to obesity and a host of health issues such as painful joints and diabetes.

The Korat’s short single coat requires little grooming. You can brush it once a week to remove shed hairs.

Trim the nails when they become too long.

Check your cat's eyes and make sure they’re still bright and clear.

Check the ears when you brush your cat and look out for signs of redness which could indicate an infection. Pet groomers or your vet can show you how to groom your cat or you can take your pet to the pet groomers.

Provide your cat with a litter box and keep it spotlessly clean. Remove the feces every single day. The litter will also need to be changed periodically.

Have your cat neutered or spayed.

Vaccinate against the major cat illness.

A good diet is essential for good health, and in fact, a cat’s food needs to be adapted to the different seasons of a cat’s life.

Cats are carnivores and they require nutrients from animal products. They need a mix of vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, and amino acids.

There are excellent commercial cat foods on the market, whether it be dry food, semi-moist food or wet food. These foods have been made to give your cat the right balance of nutrients.

In choosing cat food, it is important to consider your pet’s age and energy levels and it is also important to read the ingredients list. Look for foods in which meat is at the top of the ingredients list.

Burmese cats are naturally good climbers and you will need to provide these cats with some kind of climbing tree or something else where they can climb and perch.

While adult Burmese cats tend to be fairly placid cats, they still love to play and love the interaction between themselves and their humans. As he gets older, don’t forget to keep up a regular playtime with him.

Shedding is minimal with the Burmese cat and weekly brushing will be a good bonding session and also keep your Burmese cat’s coat healthy and shiny by removing dust and loose hair.

Diet:

Your fur child requires the best – a balanced cat food packed with protein to support him in all his activities and to ensure he maintains a good weight.

There are many excellent commercially manufactured cat foods on the market so learn to understand the ingredients and what nutrients are required.

Certainly, your Burmese kitten will require a complete and balanced kitten food with all the right nutrients to ensure good bone and coat growth. Then it is time to choose a kitten food which will later change to adult food as your kitten matures.

There are excellent cat foods for every stage and season of your cat’s life and from top brands – people who know the needs of cats.