Khao Mani cat

This snow-white beauty with blue eyes comes from Thailand. Khao Mani is considered one of the most ancient breeds. For centuries, it developed in parallel with Siamese cats, but apparently it wasn't destined to become so popular. The Khao Manee is a very rare breed, so it's not easy to buy one.

Content

1 History of origin
2 Appearance
3 Character
4 Maintenance and care
5 Health and life expectancy
6 Where to buy a kao mani kitten, price
7 Photos

History of origin

The first mention of a cat with snow-white fur and blue or multi-colored eyes dates back to the 13th century. Khao Manee cats are described in the oldest Thai cat writing, Tamra Maew. They were typically kept only by high-ranking officials. An early name for the breed was Khao Plort, meaning "all-white." The modern name Khao Manee translates as "white pearl."

At the end of the 19th century, the first cats, gifted to the British consul by the King of Thailand himself, arrived in the British Isles and were called "Royal Siamese." White cats did not become widespread. In 1999, the first Khao Manee cats arrived in the United States, where breeders began strengthening and popularizing the breed.

Tracing the genetic roots of a breed whose history spans centuries is virtually impossible. In 2012, the cats were granted registration and exhibition rights, but they have not yet achieved the absolute recognition required for championship status. Khao Manee breeders work under the auspices of experts from the International Cat Fanciers' Association (TICA) and the British Cat Foundation (GCCF).

The breed is difficult to breed, and therefore remains very rare. Even in its native Thailand, the Khao Manee is critically endangered. There are no more than a hundred officially registered cats there.

Video about the Khao Manee cat breed:

Appearance

The Khao Manee is a snow-white cat with short fur and blue eyes. Heterochromia (eyes of different colors) is also possible, but is less common than one might think and is highly prized by buyers.

The head is wedge-shaped, slightly elongated, and lean. The cheekbones are high, the cheeks are rounded and firm, and the chin is broad and strong. The stop is moderately defined. In adult cats, there may be a slight bump at this point. The forehead is wide and flat. The eyes are almond-shaped, round, and set moderately wide apart. The color of the eyes is blue, but in cats with heterochromia, the second eye may be yellow, green, or gray. The ears are large to medium in size, set wide apart and strictly upright.

The body is elongated, with well-developed muscles, stronger than that of their eastern counterparts. The chest is deep. The back is broad and straight. These cats are considered relatively small: males weigh 3-4 kg, females 2-3 kg. The legs are strong and medium-length. The tail is medium in length, proportionate to the body. The underline is parallel to the ground, well tucked up, and loose skin is permitted in the belly area.

The coat is short, soft, and dense. The undercoat is either absent or weakly developed. The coat is white, without any tints or patches, and the pads are light pink, without spots. Kittens may have a small dark spot on their heads, which disappears with age.

Character

Khao Manee breeders and owners claim that they are loving, friendly, and easygoing animals who quickly bond with their owners and do not tolerate loneliness well. These snow-white cats are very sensitive. They prefer a calm environment and suffer if ignored. Like other oriental breeds, they can be resentful and even vindictive. They can be persistent in seeking attention and are very talkative. Khao Manees not only meow; they produce a wide range of sounds.

Khao Manees are very active, curious, and playful. They always try to be the center of attention and take control. They are considered social animals, so it's advisable to keep two or more cats, not just one.

Maintenance and care

The Khao Manee is a cat that is kept not only as a pet but also as an ornament. These snow-white creatures with their jewel-like eyes are happy to be kept indoors. If they go outside, you'll have to get used to their white fur sometimes looking less than presentable.

It is worth considering that white cats are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, so in the warm season, spots may appear on their delicate ears. sunburn.

Khao Manee grooming involves standard procedures, including weekly brushing, ear and eye cleaning, teeth cleaning, and nail trimming. There are no special dietary recommendations. Most breeders feed their cats complete dry or wet food.

Health and life expectancy

One of the main problems in the breed is deafness in one or both ears. This is a problem for many white-coated animals. Other conditions are also common, but it's difficult to say whether they are genetic. The average lifespan is 13 years.

Khao Manee cats are very rare worldwide, which negatively impacts the breed's health. Long-term mating between relatives is known to have consequences, including hereditary diseases and various pathologies. To reduce the risk of these problems and increase the population, the breeding program allows for outcrossing with native cats of suitable phenotypes from Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Where to buy a kao mani kitten, price

White cats and kittens with blue eyes are quite common, but not every white cat is a representative of this rare breed. The Khao Manee has its own genetic makeup that determines its breed status.

The majority of Khao Manee cats are concentrated in Thailand. A few breeders can also be found in the United States, France, and Slovenia. Since the breed is still developing, acquiring breeding stock is very difficult. Even pet-quality animals (neutered or spayed), including shipping, are quite expensive.

The average price of a Khao Manee in the US is $500. Males are generally slightly cheaper than females. In Europe, kittens cost about the same, but individual specimens of the breed can cost up to 1,000,000 rubles.