Origin
Thailand
Lifespan
10–12 years
Weight
3–5 kg
Group
Shorthair
Personality
Colors & Patterns
White · Blue Eyes · Gold Eyes · Odd Eyes
Khao Manee
About This Breed
The Khao Manee is an ancient breed originating from Thailand, documented in Tamra Maew (Cat Book Poems), ancient Thai manuscripts. Their name means 'White Gem' in Thai. The breed has a pure white, short, smooth coat with eyes that can be blue, gold, or even odd-colored (one of each). Historically kept only by Thai royalty, they were believed to bring good luck and long life. They are active, affectionate, and communicative.
Characteristics
Scores describe general breed tendencies, not an individual animal. A higher score means more of the named trait or need; it does not always mean better.
Life with a Khao Manee
Origin
| Origin | Thailand |
| Group | Shorthair |
For the breed’s history, see the reference sources and Wikipedia link below.
Size and coat
| Weight | 3–5 kg |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years |
| Colors & Patterns | White · Blue Eyes · Gold Eyes · Odd Eyes |
These are approximate adult ranges. Individual animals may be smaller or larger.
Temperament
| Personality | Communicative · Active · Loving · Curious · Playful |
Usually active. Make time for play, exercise, and activities that keep it interested.
Often seeks company and attention. Allow time together and help it get used to short periods alone.
Coat care
Usually needs relatively little coat care. Brush as needed for its coat and shedding.
Usually sheds relatively little. Low shedding does not mean an animal cannot cause allergies.
Living together
Often adjusts to changes fairly well, though a gradual introduction still helps.
Often gets along with children, but an adult should still supervise their time together.
Introduce other pets gradually and watch how each animal responds.
Health and lifespan
A lifespan range is not a prediction for an individual animal. Breed scores cannot diagnose illness or replace a veterinary assessment.
Offer places to climb, hide, scratch, and rest. Try different toys to see what your cat enjoys.
More from breed and care sources
Excerpts from the linked sources. Read the original for full details.
About the Breed
One of Thailand’s ancient treasures can grace your home and bring you luck today! This shorthaired, sparkling white cat, whose name means “White Gem” in Thai, is a curious, clever feline with an enduring sense of mischief. You can count on a Khao Manee to bring a smile to your face with its antics, and to warm your heart with its love of snuggling up in laps. The brilliant, richly colored eyes—which may be any shade of blue, green, yellow or odd-eyed—are its most striking feature, with odd eyes being the rarest and most prized.
Breed History
Although currently thought of as a “new” breed, the Khao Manee is actually a very old one, referenced as a “good luck” cat in the ancient Thai book of cat poems, known as the Tamra Maeo, produced during the Ayutthaya period of Thai history (1350-1767). Legend tells us that Thai royalty kept the breed hidden from visitors in order to preserve it as a primarily royal pet. Whether this is true or not, we know the breed was exclusive to Thailand until 1999, when their numbers had dwindled; an endangered species specialist, Colleen Freymouth, was permitted to bring the first Khao Manee to the United States, where she set up a breeding and conservation program. The breed was accepted for CFA registration in 2018 and is currently shown in the Miscellaneous class.
Character & Temperament
Like the other, better-known Thai breeds (the Korat and the Siamese), Khao Manee are extremely intelligent. However, it is very easy to win them over because they are so friendly and social. They enjoy games of fetch and love to carry toys (or one of your socks) around in their mouths. Highly inquisitive, they are interested in anything and everything you may do, and will always be ready to pitch in with some feline assistance. Khao Manee owners say these active, athletic cats are also lap lovers and shoulder riders, and offer the perfect balance of activity and affection. They get along well with other pets and their activity level makes them a good choice for children. There is nothing shy about a Khao Manee; they are very good at communicating their feelings via body language or a variety of vocalizations. They are not necessarily noisy, it’s just that some have more to say than others!
Physical Appearance
The combination of a glistening white coat and those large, luminous eyes is the essence of a Khao Manee, but there is a distinct structure that judges expect to see in the show ring. The body is medium in length and quite muscular but should feel flexible and springy rather than heavy. The head is a modified wedge of medium width, with high cheekbones, and the cat’s nose and ear tips should form the three points of an equilateral triangle. The tail is medium in length and in proportion to the body; tail kinks often occur and are not a disqualifying factor unless they are clearly visible.
Grooming
Khao Manee are not heavy shedders but white hair can be conspicuous on clothes and furniture, so regular brushing with a rubber brush is recommended to keep shedding under control. They may benefit from an occasional bath to keep their coats sparkling white, so consult your breeder about bathing procedure and ask for product recommendations as human shampoos should not be used on cats.
Life at home
A natural breed, the Khao Manee is not known for any specific health problems. However, white cats can be prone to deafness, especially blue-eyed cats, and odd-eyed cats may be deaf in one ear. The dominant gene that produces the white color does so by masking an underlying color, and since the underlying colors are recessive, it is not unusual for an occasional nonwhite Khao Manee kitten to pop up in a litter. These cats cannot be shown but they can be used for breeding and breeders often do so to help reduce the likelihood of deaf kittens.