Khao Manee cats are lithe and muscular with a pure white, short, smooth, close-lying coat. The ears are medium to large, and the nose has a gentle curve. The eye colour is the cat’s most distinctive attribute and can be anything from blue to amber, yellow or green, or a mixture of blue and any of the other colours. In Thailand, the odd-eyed Khao Manee cat is considered to be the best and is often given as a good luck cat. Sometimes, white kittens are born with a small dark mark on the top of the head that disappears by one year of age. This is normal.
The need-to-know
- Highly active and inquisitive cat
- Sociable and dependent cat
- Somehow talkative cat
- Lean and elegant cat breed
- Requires grooming once a week
- Non hypoallergenic breed
- Outdoor cat
- May require familiarisation before living with children
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Personality
Khao Manee cats are reputed to be active, outgoing, communicative, intelligent and playful. They are people loving, with a lovely purr and attractive voices.
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History and Origins
Country of Origin: Thailand
Other Names: White Gem, Khao Plort, Diamond Eye
The Khao Manee (pronounced Cow Maneee) is a rare breed of cat originating in Thailand, and has an ancient ancestry which can be traced back hundreds of years. Known as the “White Gem,” the Khao Manee was thought to bring good luck and was a popular breed with Thai royalty.
There is an established link between the white coat colour, blue eyes, and deafness. Not all blue-eyed whites will be deaf but it is a possibility. Cat fancy organizations and the Khao Manee Cat Club are recommending that cats registered for breeding must be tested.
Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle, and overall health. So it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.
The Khao Manee cats coat is short and easy to care for. As with all cats, this breed needs regular vaccinations, parasite control and annual health checks.
While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.
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