| Country of Origin: | Thailand |
| Colors: | pure white |
| Average Size: | Weight: 8-10 lbs (3.6 – 4.5 kg) Length: medium |
| Life Span: | 10-12 years |
| Coat: | Short, smooth, close-lying |
| Personality: | friendly, outgoing cats that love to interact with people. |
| Characteristics: | Energy: Active Talkative: Moderate Kid Friendly: Yes Allergic: no |
Khao Manee cats are also knows as Diamond Eye cats. This is a rare breed and originates from Thailand. Khao Manee cats are recognized by their short white fur and smooth and close lying coat. These cats can have blue or gold eyes. But some of them can have odd eyes (eyes with different color – one blue and other amber or green) and are the most preferred ones among the cat fanciers of this breed.
Khao Manee breed is considered to be the original royal cat of Siam, developed hundreds of years ago. These cats can be only owned by royalty, and only after 1999 this cat breed left Thailand. The first Khao Manee cats were imported to US by Colleen Freymuth. She initiated a breeding program there, but these cats are still very rare in the US. Also, they are not recognized by any US registry.
This cat breed is very well know in Thailand, but was just recently recognized by some Western breeders. It is registered only from TICA since 2009.
Khao Manee cat are athletic and muscular cats, very intelligent and very communicative. They are very active cats and they require a lot of attention. They also have a wedge-shaped head and their ears are medium to slightly large. It is interesting also that some of these cats born partially deaf, and this is a very common characteristic that comes with a white coat and blue eyed cats. Also, skin cancer easily affects cats with white ears. The Khao Manee breed is considered to be very rare.
These are also outgoing and friendly cats and they love to interact with people, while at the same time getting along very well with other pets in the household and small children. This makes them excellent pets. However, since this cat breed is very close to the Siamese breed, they can be very vocal as well.
I read that a cat with the characteristics of a Khao Manee is considered to be so only if you have the papers for the parents. Is that so? I ask because I have a white blue eyed cat but I got it from a pet shop. When I got it I searched for its breed in the internet. I do not have any supporting papers, but it matches the characteristics.
So the question of the breed is a convention, right? But what happens to undocumented cats? You Just consider them outcasts? I would like an enlightening answer please. Thank you very much.
I adopted this cat that was trapped in a field along with his brother , I was looking up pictures of this breed and he definitely looks like a Khao Manee and fits the characteristics of this breed! I love him because he is so loving, smart and interactive. I named him Sugar baby! He has a heart shape impression on his chest due to his cowlicks! I am happy with my pick after 10 yrs of waiting for just the right one!