Khao Manee Cat – Breed#20

Introduction

Khao Manee, being one of the rare breeds of cats, is traditionally known as the Diamond Eye or the White Gem Thailand cat. With a fabulous white coat and eyes that are thoroughly brilliant blue, and sometimes brilliant blue with a little gold or dazzling gold, this breed has been the adoration of cat fanciers and kings, and queens over the ages. The Khao Manee is a picture of beauty, luck, and cleanliness, and attracts everyone not only by its appearance but by its love, playful nature, and intelligence.

This article will take us into the life of this wonderful Khao Manee cat, its history, physical reputation, character, care requirements, and reasons as to why it is a rare treasure.

The History and Origins of the Khao Manee

A Royal Heritage

The legend of this Khao Manee breed has a golden and royal history since the meat dates back hundreds of years in the past, in ancient Siam (in modern days: Thailand). The Thai kings are in love with the Khao Manee, and especially King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) kept them in the royal house, and the cats have not been exported out of Thailand ever. Its name, Khao Manee, translates as the White Gem, which refers to the purely white fur and glittering, or rather jewel-like, eyes.

It is reported in the old Thai literature found in Tamra Maew or Cat Book Poems, an ancient manuscript of more than 700 years, enumerating favorable cat breeds. The Khao Manee is known as a good luck and prosperity. According to the common Thai customs, the Khao Manee was considered a source of wealth and protection against bad luck when kept inside the house.

Global Recognition

Even though the Khao Manee is as old as ancient times, it began to be observed by the Western world only at the end of the 20th century. The breed has been recognized by different cat associations, such as:

• The International Cat Association (TICA): Khao Manee was considered to be registered in 2009, and allowed into championship competition in 2015.
• Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA): The cat is in a provisional status, with more interest from the breeders and cat lovers in general.

Appearance: The Beauty of the White Gem

Coat and Color

• Coat: The coat of the Khao Manee is its brightest characteristic, with white color, short, smooth, and soft. The texture is silky, low lying, and light to care.
• Color Restrictions: True Khao Manee is always white. Any color deviation excludes the cat from being recognized as purebred.

Eye Colors

• Blue Eyes: A few have blue eyes, which are like the frozen sapphires.
• Gold or Green Eyes: Others can have eyes dark gold, amber, or deep green.
• Odd Eyes (Heterochromia): The most recognizable and valued one is the common one, gold or green eye and blue eye. Even this peculiar character makes this cat rather mystical and adds more popularity all over the world.

Body and Features

• Size: Middle size, muscularity, and elegance.
• Weight: It should be between 6 and 10 pounds.
• Physical dimension: Skinny and light, highly activ,e and can climb and jump.
• Form of Head: Wedge-like shaped or heart-like, with high cheekbones.
• Ears: Massive, erect, and obtuse-topped.
• Tail: Of medium length, pointed.

Check Out: Javanese Cat – Breed#19.

Personality and Temperament

Affectionate and Loyal

Khao Manees have strong attachments to humans. They become loyal and loving, and many times have the reputation of being dog-like and want to follow family members around the house. This is no disinterested cat that does not want to approach the human being: this cat lives on people.

Intelligent and Curious

The Khao Manee needs mental stimulation as it is highly evolved. They are also able to learn tricks or commands fast, or routines. This intelligent breed enjoys puzzle games and hide-and-seek as well as leash training.

Social and Talkative

The Khao Manee is quite talkative, just like its Siamese relatives. They communicate through several meows, chirping, and trilling to signify their requirements and feelings. You will hear about it whether they are hungry, bored, or just want your attention.

Energetic and Playful

They may look royal, but do not be fooled into thinking that they do not play. They are dynamic and lively, usually rushing about the house or scaling to the top. They like feather wands, balls, and other interactive toys, and they may be quite active in taking the initiative in playing.

Grooming and General Care

Contrary to the luxurious looks, Khao Manees have a moderate amount of grooming requirements.

Coat Care

• Brushing: Every week or two, use either a soft brush or grooming glove to brush the coat to leave it shiny and to get loose hairs out.
• Bathing: Occasionally, during times when the cat is very dirty or has allergens.

Ear and Eye Care

• Clean the ears once in a while and ensure not to use hard material to clean dirt or wax.
• Clean their eyes regularly with a wet cloth in order to avoid the condition of tear staining on the eyes, particularly on odd-eyed or blue-eyed ones.

Dental Hygiene

• The Khao Manee, like all cats, can use some routine dental treatments. Apply a vet-monitored cat toothpaste or give them dental chews and toys.

Nutrition and Feeding

Feeding your Khao Manee a well-balanced diet is essential for maintaining their health and energy.

Dietary Needs

• High-protein diets are the ideal ones to boost muscle strength and energy.
• Choose quality commercial cat food (wet or dry) in which meat is the primary ingredient.
• Avoid fillers including corn, soy, or artificial flavors.

Feeding Tips

• Two meals of portion-controlled meals per day among adults.
• Keep the water fresh constantly, especially when the food is mainly dry.

Health and Lifespan

Overall, the Khao Manee is a healthy, long-lived breed; however, several health issues you have to consider.

Common Health Concerns

• Deafness: Unaudibility: White cats that have blue eyes tend to be deaf in one or both ears. Hearing in kittens can possible to determined with the help of a BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test.
• Eye issues: Uncommon, but it might happen; occasionally, odd-eyed cats tend to be more vulnerable to brightness.
• General conditions: They are like all cats, prone to dental disease, obesity, age diseases, etc.

Lifespan

• A well-maintained Khao Manee can live up to 14 to 20 years and more, thus being a long-term pet.

Ideal Environment and Lifestyle

Indoor Living

• Khao Manees need to be kept in a house so that the sun cannot spoil their coat, and they would not be stolen, as these animals are very uncommon.
• They should perform very well in apartments, homes, or other areas in which they feel free to explore and play.

Family Compatibility

• Excellent when used with families, singles, and seniors.
• Relate favorably to children and other pets, particularly when socialized when young.

Activity Needs

• They need to play on a regular basis to maintain their mental and physical activity.
• Introduce climbing trees, scratching posts, and interactive play.

Breeding and Rarity

Rarity and Cost

Khao Manees remain quite rare internationally as well, so they may be very expensive. Khao Manee kittens from a responsible breeder can cost between 1,500 and 3,000 dollars or more, depending on the breed, and odd-eyed kittens even more.

Breeder Considerations

• Order breeders that do genetic testing to rule out congenital deafness and offer health guarantees.
• Do not go to kitten checkout stores or internet mail, as it is not possible to see the purpose of their breeding practice.

Conclusion

The Khao Manee is an utterly extraordinary cat- magnificent in physical looks, wonderful in outlook, and decorated with many centuries of background. Its white fur and bewitching eyes are among the prettiest in the breed, on the one hand, but the loving and playful personality of this breed on the other hand has made its way into people’s hearts everywhere.

Looking to add a talkative friend, a lap cat, or even just a different type of pet with an aristocratic heritage, the Khao Manee just might be your pet. With proper care, love, and attention, this White Gem will reward its keeper and give one a good number of years of fun and love in the family he/she will take in.

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