Korat

Like every breed, the Korat is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other cats

  Usually enjoys the company of other cats.

• Dogs

  Often gets on with a cat-friendly dog.

• Indoors and outdoors

  Usually happier with access outdoors.

• Being left alone

  Prefers company and is best not left alone for long.

• First-time owners

  Some cat experience helps.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own cat’s health.

• Gangliosidosis (GM1 and GM2)

  An inherited disease that affects the nervous system and kills affected kittens before their first birthday. Korats were the first breed to be DNA screened for both forms. All UK lines were tested in 1998 and found clear, and since then every GCCF-registered Korat has been tested or has parents known to be clear.

• Atherosclerosis

  In 2025 Korats were found to carry a recessive gene causing atherosclerosis, a progressive disease in which cholesterol builds up on artery walls and leads to heart failure. A genetic test became available in 2025, and breeders are testing breeding cats so that no kittens are born at risk.

• Anaesthesia and low body fat

  Korats usually have a low percentage of body fat. The GCCF notes that vets should take this into account when choosing how much and what type of anaesthetic to give.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Korat home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Kittens should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, cats must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a kitten was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Korat home, and looking after one well. Kitten prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, litter, scratching posts and toys, and a cattery or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the cat’s life, typically 15–18 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Korat suits your life, take the same care choosing where your cat comes from. Meet the kitten in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Korats do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the cat. An adult cat arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the cat’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a cat once, well.