The Khao Manee, which is pronounced “Cow Maneee,” is a unique breed of cat that originated in Thailand and has a long history that dates back hundreds of years. As was the case with other uncommon colored cats like the Siamese, the Khao Manee was rumored to have been kept and bred at first by Siam royals.
The Khao Manee is being promoted and bred by breeders in Thailand in an effort to maintain the breed’s heritage and standards. The Khao Manee is continuously being promoted and foundation lines are still being established by breeders in the West.
Khao Manee Overview
| Official Name | Khao Manee |
| Common Name | Khao Manee |
| Pet Height | 10 To 12 Inches |
| Pet Weight | 8 To 10 Pounds |
| Lifespan | 10 To 12 Years |
| Good With | Cats, Children, Dogs, Families, Seniors |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Bold, Sociable |
| Intelligence | High |
| Shedding Amount | Normal |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | Active |
| Vocal Level | Howler |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | White |
| Patterns | Solid |
| Other Traits | Easy To Groom, Easy To Train, Friendly Toward Humans, Friendly Toward Other Pets, Friendly Toward Strangers, Good For First-Time Pet Owners, Strong Loyalty Tendencies, Tolerates Being Picked Up |
History
Thailand’s Khao Manee is a long-lived, naturally occurring breed. According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, one of their first documented references can be found in the Tamra Maew, a book of cat poetry from the 14th century. The Thai aristocracy valued these bright-eyed cats highly, revered them as sacred animals, and kept them as pets for many years. The first cats of this breed arrived in the U.S. in 1999, and the U.K. received them in 2009. The breed is still quite uncommon but is progressively gaining popularity.
Appearance
The Khao Manee’s short, smooth, all-white coat is the breed’s most obvious distinguishing characteristic, therefore those trying to recognize it should be aware of this. The most desirable eye color for Khao Manee is odd-eyed, which is defined as having one blue and one green or one blue and one gold. Their large, vivid eyes can be any shade of blue, green, or gold. Khao Manees have long, slender bodies and an athletic, muscular appearance. This breed has long legs and oval paws, and it typically weighs between 8 and 10 pounds. These adorable white cats have medium-length tails and huge ears that point away from one another.
Temperament
If the Khao Manee’s remarkable appearance isn’t enough to get people’s notice, their jovial nature most certainly will. The Khao Manee is a very sociable cat who enjoys being in the middle of things. This breed is intelligent, curious, and a little cheeky. This breed enjoys playing and connecting with their pet parents, so get ready to play countless games of fetch. For the Khao Manee, spending time together as a family is really essential. You may anticipate frequent talks with this talkative buddy because Khao Manees are known for being very talkative. This brash, aristocratic breed is friendly, self-assured, and fiercely devoted to its family.
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Khao Manee Cat Care
Grooming: The short, smooth coat of the khao manee cat sheds only occasionally and is simple to maintain. To keep the coat silky and shiny and to remove loose hair, brush once or twice a week. Every few months, give the coat a bath to keep it smelling, feeling, and looking good. Utilize a brightening shampoo designed exclusively for white cats to maintain the coat’s brilliant white appearance. The khao manee needs its nails clipped every two weeks, just like all cats do.
Exercise: The energetic Khao Manee cat enjoys climbing and exploring. Provide your khao manee with cat trees or towers for them to climb and perch on, as well as a variety of entertaining toys including feather wands, bell-tipped balls, fuzzy mice, and puzzle games. According to reports, Khao manees like to play fetch.
Common Health Problems
The khao manee cat is generally thought to be healthy, and there aren’t many genetic health issues that the breed is known to be predisposed to. All-white cats, such as the Khao Manee, can occasionally develop unilateral (deafness in just one ear) or bilateral (deafness in both ears) deafness.
Diet and Nutrition
Feed your khao manee measured meals at regular intervals (adults typically consume two meals per day, morning and evening; kittens typically require three to four). When you leave food available constantly (a practice known as free feeding), you run the risk of gaining weight that is not desired.
Obese or overweight cats of any breed may experience weight-related health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. The ideal kind of food to feed your khao manee can be determined by consulting your veterinarian or a breeder.