Common Reasons for Surrender
Some people adopt a Korat cat, mistakenly believing the breed is hypoallergenic despite being told otherwise by reputable breeders or rescuers. After allergies flare up, the Korat is surrendered. The incredibly intelligent Korat likes to push the limits with his humans. The Korat’s humans must assume the role as leader and ensure their cat follows the rules. Many times Korats are surrendered because owners fail to establish themselves as the leader.
Pros
Korats have been described as more similar to a dog than to a typical cat, down to their ability to easily learn dog tricks. A Korat will become your friend for life and remain next to you through whatever life throws your way. Most Korats want to spend every minute they can with their families, taking brief periods alone for a rest. With an insatiable curiosity, Korats love to explore. Your Korat will be your loyal companion, and at the same time, allow you to believe that you own him when, in reality, you’ll one day realize your Korat actually owns you.
Cons
A strong-willed breed, many Korats want to be with their humans all of the time, which can be a turnoff if you prefer a less dependent cat. Most are akin to toddlers, requiring careful supervision. If your Korat does something he shouldn’t, correct him immediately or he will continue to display the unwanted behavior.
Diet
Feed your Korat a high quality cat food, preferably one that does not contain grain. Some Korats do not handle preservatives well and will need a non-preservative diet. Some Korats do well on a portion of canned food each day while having free access to kibble the rest of the day. While Korats can be picky, most enjoy some sort of treat such a raw meat or store-bought treats like Temptations or Pounce.
Exercise
Don’t worry about your Korat when it comes to exercising. She’ll run around, play, and get the exercise she needs on her own.
Possible Health Issues
Although an overall healthy breed, Korats develop colds much easier than other breeds. A cold can quickly develop into a sinus infection, which can cause serious problems for your Korat. Take a cold seriously and have your Korat seen by a veterinarian.
Grooming
Your Korat requires minimal grooming. Just brush him regularly and trim his nails as needed.
Training
Korats, especially single cats, can generally be trained to do almost anything. Some Korats have been successfully trained to stay, sit, roll over, and play dead on command.
Entertainment
Buy your Korat cheap toys and she’ll be happy. Wadded up paper, puff balls, and ping pong balls are all popular with Korats. A wand toy, particularly with a bird on the end, makes an ideal interactive game.
We want to thank GentleGift Cattery for help with this profile. Photos courtesy of Jim Johnson.