- Breed Size:
- Height: 25-30 cm
- Weight: 3-4 kg
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
- Learning Rate: High
- Country of Origin: Thailand
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Active, outgoing, and communicative, the Khao Manee is a people-loving and intelligent cat breed. Khao Manee is a natural cat breed that evolved on its own without any human intervention. This cat is agile and athletic with beautiful features, of which their unique pure white coat is prominent.
Also known as Khao Plort and White Gem, Khao Manee has a smooth and short coat. One attractive feature of this cat breed is that they are entirely white. Although some can be born with black or colored markings on the body, these marks disappear when they reach about 18 months. Khao Manees are muscular in shape with a medium-size body, large ears, and medium-length tails.
These cats have wedge-shaped heads and large ears. Well proportionate and strong legs add looks to their unique personality. Another striking feature of this cat is its beautiful light-colored eyes. What strikes, even more, is that they have odd-eyes with one color, mostly one blue and the other amber green. However, they are also found with blue and golden eyes. The odd-eyed cats are rare, though.
Khao Manees are playful and love a spot on your lap, which makes them easy family cats. Since they are communicative, they use their loud meow to communicate with their humans. They use soft and attractive purrs and sometimes loud meows when they want attention. You’ll find your Khao Manee investigating every corner of your house, thanks to their intrigued nature. Quite confident and approachable, the Khao Manee has much love to offer to their human family. This lovely cat is also very soft and friendly towards small kids and wouldn’t mind the company of other cats and pets. Another fantastic thing is that they have a calm attitude towards guests and do not shy away from but approaches guests and strangers alike.
Khao Manee loves attention coming from all directions and cannot tolerate being left alone for long. They are highly sensitive and require to be handled with care and love. Harsh commands and behavior may affect their emotional and mental makeup in the long run. This brilliant cat is quick to learn things, and you can train them at an early stage. This diamond-eyed cat is exploratory; therefore, keep an eye when you have the door open so that your cat doesn’t run away or escape to explore the world.
Although a new breed in the West, the Khao Manee holds a history that dates back to ancient Thailand. This fantastic cat is mentioned in the Tamra Maew, a 14th-century poem book about cats. The Thai royal family highly acclaimed these beautiful cats and were quite popular among the upper-class Thais.
It is believed that the cat symbolizes good luck and that one who owns them will receive good fortune. The Siam royalty only nurtured Khao Manee, and for decades, the export of this cat breed was forbidden. However, in 1999, this beautiful breed was taken to the United States and then, after 10-years, taken to the United Kingdom by breeder Chrissie Russell. With prices over $11,000, the Khao Manee today is one of the most expensive cats.
Generally, the Khao Manee is considered a healthy cat breed, but like other cat breeds, they may be prone to certain diseases. One of the health issues of the Khao Manee is deafness. In fact, the blue-eyed or the odd-eyed cats are prone to deafness. Not all blue-eyed cats are prone to deafness; however, there is a possibility. Look out for possible infections in your cat and get them checked up regularly. Like most cats, Khao Manee may suffer from bacterial and fungal infections that can affect their health. Make sure you take your cat for a vet visit and get them vaccinated regularly. Also, keep an eye on their dental health and hygiene for any tartar buildup and gum infections.
ExerciseKhao Manee is playful and highly active by nature and therefore requires enough space to run and play. You can bring home a cat tree or post so that your kitty can climb, scratch, and relax there. However, cats do not require any particular scheduled timings for activity since they are active all the time. You can feed your cat’s curiosity by involving them in fun games such as feathered wands, laser beams on the wall, or a keyed mouse. They also like playing with another feline companion. If you can manage another kitty at home, your Khao Manee will be able to play and won’t feel lonely even when you leave for work.
FeedingKhao Manee do not require any unique formula as part of their diet, but regular high-quality cat food is sufficient. Make sure the food you choose has all the vital nutrients, vitamins, fats, and amino acids your kitty will need to grow into a healthy cat. Feeding them two scheduled meals every day is fine. While you feed your cat, also keep in mind their age, size, and metabolism. Avoid overfeeding your kitty to keep them in good shape. For Khao Manee kittens, feed them 3-4 times a day and follow the same timings every day. See that you read the ingredient list before purchasing a food packet to avoid adding things that might be allergic to your kitty. You can contact us for further details.
GroomingOne great thing about this adorable cat breed is that they shed very less which is why they are ideal cats for people with allergies. Although they are deficient in maintenance, brushing their coat once a week is sufficient. It will help remove the dander and spread the natural oils evenly on their body. Trim your cat’s nails whenever you see them overgrowing. Check their ears to find any wax build-up. Brush your cat’s teeth regularly to avoid tartar build-up, bad breath, and teeth infections at bay.