Korat vs Chartreux - 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.

Hailing from France, the Chartreux cat is a rare cat breed but is still recognized by a number of cat registries around the world.

It’s not a new breed of cat, and in fact, the Chartreux is mentioned for the first time in 1558 in a poem and later on in paintings. There are quite a few legends as to the origins of the Chartreux and while some believe that the cats were brought to France by monks others believe that the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats from Syria.

European breeders kept the breed from extinction, especially after the 2nd world war, and the first Chartreux were brought to the United States in 1971. In 1987 the Cat Fancier’s Asociation advanced the Chartreux breed to championship status.

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 Chartreux is a large, strong, stocky, muscular cat that can weigh anything between 4 to 7kg while some can weigh as much as 9kg.

He has short legs when compared to the large body. He is known for his blue-like, silver-gray coat. In fact, the color can be any shade in the region of blue-grey. The coat is short, dense and double-coated and he has gold or copper-colored eyes.

People who have owned these cats say that they can take 3 to 4 years to reach maturity. Some people get mixed up and think this cat is very similar to the British Blue but they are two different breeds altogether.

Temperament:

The Chartreux is a real lap-cat just loving being able to settle down into his human owner's lap. It’s a cat with a 'smiling’ face because of the structure of his muzzle.

He is a very affectionate cat and will follow his people much like a dog. He is very intelligent and quiet and adapts well to a new situation. It's a cat that loves to climb so you will need to invest in a climbing tree for him as well as a scratching pole.

He is a good cat for first-time cat owners as well as being a good friend in homes with well brought up children. He is able to be friendly with other pets in the house.

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.

Although this is a large, strong cat, he is actually a gentle feline in nature and he doesn’t like being part of any bickering among his human family, preferring to run away. He also doesn’t like being spoken harshly to when he has done something wrong.

This cat isn’t an extrovert by any means but he isn’t particularly shy either and enjoys spending time with his human family.

He isn’t a demanding cat but is easy-going, just wanting to get on in life and he promises to make you a steady, loyal companion.

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 particularly prone to dental problems. The reason for this is that their incisors are closely set together and small.

Because of the heaviness of this cat, the Chartreux is also prone to a disease known as patellar luxation or kneecap displacement. This problem can eventually lead to lameness. One way to avoid this particular problem is to rather get your kittens from reputable breeders.

These cats are much inclined towards weightiness so you have to be watching his diet carefully, more so because the cat is prone to patellar luxation.

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.

Your Chartreux cat’s dense, double coat will require brushing once or twice a week, especially in the cat’s seasonal shedding period.

This cat doesn't take well to changes in his diet, particularly when he finds a type of food that he likes, then he wants to stick to that. You want to feed your cat a top-quality food to encourage good health but you want to avoid overfeeding as obesity in cats comes with lots of problems. A cat is a carnivore and you therefore need to feed your cat a diet rich in protein. Speak to your vet or another cat expert who can advise you on feeding your cat if you are in any kind of doubt. Make sure your kitty kat has a never-ending supply of fresh, cool water.

Always make a point of checking inside your cat's ears as well as inside his mouth for bad teeth. Bad teeth can cause terrible pain and your pet has no way of communicating this to you.

Have your cat neutered or spayed if you don't want your cat to have kittens.