Khao Manee: Breed History, Personality, Adoption, Cost

The Khao Manee cat is one of the only 41 natural cat breeds left in the world. This means that it has developed into the fuzzy ball we love today without human intervention. Above all, this breed has evolved into a smart and sociable cat, ideal for energetic families.

Characteristics

With the Khao Manee cat, what you see is what you get. Its supple, athletic body is the image of her lively personality. Kids will find her an always-ready play buddy, and parents will fall in love with its cuddliness.

Weight	8-10 pounds
Height	10-12 inches
Colors and Patterns	Pure white
Lifespan	10 to 12 years
Suitable for	family with kids, active young adults

Breed History

The Khao Manee breed originates from Thailand. For centuries, the natives kept her secret to foreigners. However, they would sing its praises in poems and ballads, such as the Tamara Maew, or Treatise on Cats, which dates back to the 19th-century.

Also known as the “white gem,” Khao Manee is an omen of good luck in Thai culture. The breeders who introduced it to the Western World believe the same thing. However, it is the cat’s natural curiosity and playfulness that have convinced many pet parents to own one. Nowadays, this cat breed is one of the most popular domestic felines worldwide.

Interesting Facts

• While the Khao Manee’s fur is entirely white for most of her life, some kittens are born with a small black patch on their heads. However, this fur anomaly disappears within their first year of life.
• The Khao Manees are popular for their bright eye colors, which may be any shade of blue, green, or gold. The most attractive and rare ones are the Khao Manee kittens with two different eye colors.
• Unlike other cat breeds, the Khao Manee’s coat is short and covered by thin fur. Therefore, this athletic cat is more suitable for warmer climates.
• This good luck cat is also known as the “diamond eye cat” because of its bright, shiny eyes.
• The Khao Manee is one of the few cats that you can teach how to play fetch. Similar to some dogs, such as the Golden Retriever, this inquisitive cat takes pleasure in bringing back anything you throw to the other side of the room.
• This cat originating from Thailand is quite vocal and talkative. They like to respond whenever you talk to them.
• This white cat has a high metabolism, which may be why she has such lively behavior. This is not the kind of feline that will lounge on the couch all day long.
• Although she enjoys playing for most of the day, the Khao Manee turns into a sweet, cuddly fuzz ball when you get ready for bed in the evening. Therefore, you get the best of both worlds. The “white gem” is full of pep throughout the day and snuggly with a lovely purr at night.
• Khao Manee kitties with blue eyes have a higher risk of becoming deaf later in their lives than other specimens from the same cat breed but with different eye colors.
• Many cats will be picky with their food but not these intelligent cats. The Khao Manees consume plenty of food to sustain their energy levels.

READ MORE: Best Wet Cat Food (Vet Approved Review)

Temperament and Personality

If you are searching for the ideal family cat, look no further than the Khao Manees. This breed has something for every family member, regardless of age. For instance, she is playful and outgoing with young children. However, she can also get into intelligent and engaging activities with adults. Above all, she has never-ending cuddles for everyone.

A Khao Manee is generally affectionate, cuddly, and playful. She is also very communicative and will tell you what she’s thinking most of the time. Even if you don’t speak cat, you will learn to understand her in the long run.

The Khao Manee is dependent on your presence and affection. On one hand, she won’t get bored when you’re not around. Her inquisitive personality will push her into exploring your entire home and beyond. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t leave the cat alone for too long, as this could make her suffer emotionally. Cats waiting for their pet parents for too long can quickly become depressed.

If you plan on having a Khao Manee cat as a pet, you should provide her with plenty of surfaces for scratching. As we mentioned above, she can barely sit still throughout the day. So, giving her something to do is the right way of keeping her busy while you do your house chores.

Khao Manee is peaceful and friendly with other house pets. Since they like to roam around the house, they don’t get territorial when other felines are around. Also, this cat breed has an outgoing personality that makes her compatible with equally sociable dogs.

You can have Khao Manees in most types of homes. Thanks to her petite figure, this cat can live well even in small, crowded lofts. However, she should feel more comfortable in larger homes with yards.

If you let this energetic kitten out in the yard, and she jumps over the fence, do not despair. These cats have an insatiable curiosity. They will go far and beyond to explore the surroundings of their homes. So, if Mittens is not around, she is just cruising through the neighborhood. Above all, you can count on her returning for dinner time.

Potential for playfulness	5 out 5
Activity level	5 out 5
Friendliness to other pets	4 out 5
Friendliness to children	5 out 5
Grooming requirements and Shedding	4 out 5
Need for attention	4 out 5
Affection toward its owners	5 out 5
Intelligence	5 out 5
Independence	2 out 5

Activity

The Khao Manee may seem like a fragile little kitten. However, you shouldn’t let that fool you. Beneath that short, white fur is a muscular body with surprising abilities. So, you will surely see her jump and run around the house all day long.

Lastly, the Khao Manee cat is intelligent and a quick learner. She will quickly learn new tricks and will gladly play fetch with you as any puppy would.

Kittens

Khao Manees are highly active. So, if you live alone and you are away from home for most of the day, this cat is not ideal for you.

On the other hand, Khao Manee is ideal for young children. They are both playful creatures that will keep each other busy while you work from home, cook, or even take a nap.

READ MORE: Kittens First Vet Visit: When to take Kitten to Vet?

Adoption and Rescue

If you want to buy a Khao Manee cat, you will have to dig deep into your pockets. As one of the rarest cat breeds in the world, this feline comes at a steep price. More so, it is unlikely that you will find a breeder with white cats registered in your neighborhood. So, your best choice is acquiring this rare breed from overseas, even from its native Thailand.

When you plan on welcoming a Khao Manee cat into your family, you should check for one at local shelters and pet shops. Also, you may want to talk to other pet parents online. Talk to members of the Khao Manee cat club, and discover where to buy a genuine specimen. As always, adopting an abandoned cat from an animal shelter is preferable to buying one from a litter.

Remember that each of these white kittens has a smooth close-lying coat only suitable for warm weather. Therefore, you may not want to spoil such a rare treasure by forcing it to live in cold climates.

Breeders

• Petfinder ^[1]
• Adopt A Pet ^[2]
• Khao Manee Cat Club Facebook ^[3]

Cost

A Khao Manee costs between $11,000 and $15,000. A reputable breeder may sell a genuine pedigree kitten for more.

Conclusion

The Khao Manee is one of the most popular domestic felines despite its eye-watering cost. This cat is smart, outgoing, and playful. Also, it loves affectionate cuddles and spending time with young children. It is ideal for young families and energetic people who don’t mind having a fluffy fireball running around the house all day long.

FAQ – Khao Manee Cat

Article Sources:

1. “Celebrating Over 20 Years of Pet Adoption.” Petfinder, 27 July 2021, petfinder.com/.
2. “Adopt a Dog or Cat Today!  Search for Local Pets in Need of a Home.” Adopt a Pet, adoptapet.com/.
3. “Khao Manee Cat Club.” Facebook, facebook.com/khaomaneecats/.