Description of the phenotype [edit | edit code ]
Kao-mani is a cat of medium build (height - 25-30 cm), muscular (female: 2.5-3.6 kg, male: 3.6-5 kg), with large ears, a heart-shaped head and oval blue, amber , green or multi-colored eyes.
Multi-colored eyes (Heterochromia) are rarer (since photographs of kao-mani most often show cats with different-colored eyes, it is mistakenly believed that multi-colored eyes are the most common). Kao-mani cats have a white, short, smooth, shiny, close-fitting coat with little or no undercoat. Sometimes white kittens are born with dark spots on their heads, which disappear in the first year of life. In rare cases, black and white kittens or kittens with admixtures of other colors, such as red, are born. The life expectancy of this breed is on average from 10 to 12 years.
Himalayan cat
The breed has a soft Persian coat of Siamese color: on the body it is light or cream, on the tail, paws and face it is darker. The eyes of the “Himalayans” are a clear Siamese blue. Quiet, furry animals prefer home mode and can easily do without walks.
The price of a Himalayan kitten is $500-1300.
Character [edit | edit code ]
Kao-manis are very intelligent, curious, active, playful cats that love to “talk” to their owner and become very attached to him, so expect your pet to follow you everywhere around the apartment. Kao-manis are friendly and trusting even towards strangers, can get along with other pets and children, and are also well suited for those who have no experience with cats. It is also important to know that Kao Mani are very social animals that need the company of their own kind, so never
Do not get a Kao-Mani if you do not have at least one other cat or are not planning to take two kittens at once. The animal may become very bored in your absence (Kao-mani do not like to be left alone for a long time and have a hard time withstanding loneliness) and in general will require too much attention. If you keep only one Kao Mani, the side effects, like many other animals prone to a social lifestyle, can be depression, aggression, and destructive behavior. [1]
Care and maintenance
Maintaining an appearance in perfect condition does not cause any problems for Kao-Mani.
The absence of undercoat almost completely eliminates shedding. But daily brushing with a soft rubber massage brush is advisable. It is better to remove excess hairs, as their snowy whiteness catches the eye when they settle on furniture and clothes. Pets love this procedure also as an extra reason for close communication with the owner.
The white color of the coat requires careful cleaning of the surrounding area or frequent bathing. Kao-Mani do not like this procedure, so kittens must be taught to wash from a very early age.
To avoid colds, the wool must be dried thoroughly.
These cats are very clean; they usually take care of the condition of their eyes and ears. But against a snowy background, any dark spots are striking, so a daily thorough examination of your pets is necessary.
Khao-Mani do not have special requirements for their diet, the main thing is that it is complete and balanced. It is convenient to feed your pets with holistic or super premium food.
To prevent inflammation of teeth and gums, it is occasionally necessary to treat cats with special foods, pastes, and treats with the function of preventing this pathology.
The litter box should be kept clean; pets cannot stand dirt in the toilet and may refuse to visit it.
Sharp claws are trimmed once a week. An excellent scratching post with jute rope is essential in the home. Interesting interactive toys are also desirable; they will help keep your restless pet occupied.
Similar cats [edit | edit code ]
Very often in comments on the Kao-Mani breed you can read that someone found a white kitten with blue or different eyes on the street and did not suspect that it was a kitten of such a rare breed as Kao-Mani. As of 2015, Khao Mani breeders can only be found in France, parts of the US, Slovenia and Thailand itself (the only Khao Mani breeder in the UK has only recently abandoned the breed), so it is unlikely that this rare breed could have wandered into your town. since Kao-Mani can be confused with any other white cat with a similar appearance (there are hundreds of thousands of ordinary white cats, even with different-colored eyes, on earth).
The Kao Mani has its own genetic structure, which determines whether it belongs to this breed. Purebred Khao Mani can be imported from Thailand. There is a Russian-speaking breeder registered in the TICA system who prepares show and breeding class kittens for relocation with all the necessary documents (Jungle Diamond).
Safari
The pedigree of this large breed includes the wild South American Geoffroy cat. The result of “wild blood” is a unique leopard-like coloration of short, dense fur and a triangular “jaguar” head with intense amber or green eyes. The safari cat is self-sufficient and friendly. She needs walks: in the wild she can sufficiently indulge her hunting instincts.
The cost of the breed is $4000-8000.
Origin of the Khao Mani breed
The first description of kao-mani is found in the ancient “Treatise on Cats” (1350-1767), which is also called “Poems about Cats”. The treatise contains a description of 23 different breeds of cats, and 17 of them, according to the author (or authors) of this work, are considered to bring good luck to the home of their owner.
One of the breeds of the treatise had the name khao-plort, that is, “completely white” and the following description: “... completely white, with eyes like pure mercury, this cat will bring longevity, title, material well-being to any home, which will never go away, and happiness".
Mural depicting khao mani in the Buddhist temple Wat Thong Noppakhun, Bangkok (1782-1851)
These mascot cats acquired the name kao-mani, which is translated from Thai as “white gem”, relatively recently, about 100 years ago. It is possible that this name was given to the breed by King Rama V himself, or by one of his many sons, who was rumored to have been breeding the breed within the walls of the royal palace, in accordance with a secret breeding program developed by the king at the end of the 19th century. For generations, owning a kao-mani cat was exclusive to royalty, and stealing the animal was punishable by death!
Character
They are distinguished by their developed intelligence, perky and friendly disposition. They need as much communication with people as possible, since for a long time they lived and had contact only with them. You cannot leave the “white pearl” without attention for a long time, especially at an early age, which puts the animal into a depressed state. Sometimes dissatisfaction is expressed through aggression and inappropriate behavior.
If you constantly ignore Kao-Mani, not an affectionate and gentle pet grows up, but an embittered, nasty animal. Also, you shouldn’t offend Manya, because she will remember and then definitely take revenge.
Kao-Mani are very vindictive.
With the kind and attentive attitude of their owners, they are extremely gentle and devoted. They easily find contact with both people and other pets. Children are no exception, with whom they are ready to play and frolic for hours. They are so perky and optimistic that they constantly find something to do. For them, any object can become a toy. By nature they are extremely inquisitive, so they don’t mind looking into every nook and cranny of the house and climbing somewhere higher.
Despite Kao-Mani's good attitude towards all family members, the owner will always be a priority. In case of threatening danger, the cat will rush to protect him without hesitation.
They have a piercingly loud voice, a bit like a growl. It can be heard when the cat is unhappy or asks for something. It is worth taking this into account when choosing a pet, since not everyone is ready to tolerate such manifestations.
Kaos can meow shrilly
Khao Mani breed standard
The Khao Mani is a native breed of Thailand, and like other cats of Thai origin, has characteristics suitable for living in hot, humid, tropical climates.
Head
The Kao-mani's head is heart-shaped, with high, round, well-defined cheekbones. From the front, the head forms an ellipsoidal shape. The nose is of medium length and the tips of the ears form an equilateral triangle. The profile is elongated, almost straight, with a slight, smooth slope. The forehead and nose may be slightly prominent. The chin is moderate.
The ears are large, tapering to oval tips. The position of the ears on the head indicates 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock, the distance between the ears is slightly less than the width of the base of the ear.
Eyes
Moderately large, oval-shaped, slightly slanting. The color can be any: shades of blue and blue, green, yellow-green, gold, amber, copper. Eyes of different colors (heterochromia) do occur, but not as often (as one might think when typing “kao-mani” into the search bar). Partial heterochromia is also possible, when only a sector of the iris is painted a different color or there is a rim of a different color. Bright, rich eye colors are preferred, accompanied by a diamond shine, making the eyes look like precious stones.
Muscular, toned, flexible, but without giving the impression of being extreme or bulky. Quite a wide chest. Males have slightly more developed muscle mass than females. A small amount of freely hanging skin is allowed on the abdomen; the abdomen itself should be tight and toned.
Kao-mani's limbs are muscular and quite long. The front legs are slightly shorter than the hind legs. Paws are oval shaped. There are 5 fingers on the forelimbs, 4 on the hind limbs.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, proportional to the body. A small break is allowed at the tip.
Wool
The coat is medium length, elastic, with a smooth texture, not coarse or fluffy.
Color
The color should be uniform, pure, sparkling white. Young animals may have a residual color in the form of a translucent “cap” on the head, which can persist until 18 months of age. The color of the paw pads, lips and nose is pink.
Signs leading to a fine:
- round eyes without an Asian bias;
- small eyes or dull eye color;
- the muzzle is too short and blunt or, on the contrary, too long and narrow;
- straight profile;
- small and/or too pointed ears, incorrect ear placement;
- bulky (physique, referred to in professional language as a cobby - a la English bulldog) or another (except for that presented in the standard) physique.
Characteristics that may lead to disqualification:
- strabismus;
- any coat color except white;
- wrong number of fingers;
- visible bend of the tail.
Character of kao-mani
Kao-mani have a very sociable, yet unobtrusive disposition. These are active, playful, curious and quite intelligent creatures that easily find a common language with other animals and humans, including children. Kao-mani love to take part in household chores and follow their beloved owner, to whom they quickly and firmly become attached. Representatives of this breed do not tolerate loneliness well, so you should not get a Kao-Mani if you are away from home for a long time.
Precious cats are quite talkative by nature, but not as much as their Thai relatives. Kao-mani is undoubtedly a wonderful companion, with whom you can enjoy communication endlessly.
External signs
Kao-mani is a medium-sized short-haired cat with an elegant muscular body of the oriental type on long slender legs.
As for the coat, its coat is always snow-white. Kittens may have small dark markings, which should completely disappear by the age of one year.
According to the standard, the eye color of the Kao-Mani has a gray-blue tint, but now representatives with green and yellow eyes, as well as different colors, are increasingly found. It’s not for nothing that these Thai beauties are nicknamed “diamond eyes”. And that’s all because their iris has a bright edging, which creates the effect of a cut diamond.
Unfortunately, blue-eyed representatives of this breed often have a defect such as deafness. This is due to genetic characteristics.
How much does a kao-mani kitten cost?
On the website whitegemcattery.com (family cattery of Kao-Mani, USA, Ohio), the following prices for Kao-Mani kittens are indicated:
- blue-eyed, green-eyed and yellow-eyed babies will cost $950 (about 44 thousand rubles);
- Kittens with eyes of different colors (odd-eyes) will cost twice as much - $ 2000 (about 132 thousand rubles).
At one time there was a myth circulating online that a kao-mani kitten costs from $7,000 to $20,000, but as you can see for yourself, this is absolutely not true. The price of a kitten is quite reasonable for a true connoisseur of pedigree cats. The problem is rather the availability of the breed - the number of operating nurseries in the West can be counted on one hand, but in Russia there are none at all. Khao Mani nurseries are located not only in some states of the USA, but also in France, Slovenia, and of course Thailand, the only Khao Mani nursery in the UK has recently ceased operations. So it’s quite possible to get a royal kitten, but its delivery will cost a pretty penny. The breed is still relatively rare, although it has good prospects.
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Khao Mani cats, as soon as they appeared on the public market, managed to become a real hit among rich and famous breeders. For many years, this breed was completely closed from free sale and remained available only to selected representatives of the Thai aristocracy. In Thailand, these animals are still valued incredibly highly; only about 100 purebred cats are in pedigree breeding. Outside the country, the number of livestock is also not very high - about 200 individuals - which makes the breed one of the most expensive on the planet.
Khao Manee is often also called Khao Manee or cats with diamond eyes. Snow-white animals have regal grace and unique appearance. The main features of this cat breed are associated with different eye colors. In addition, they have high intelligence, are quite well socialized and are able to decorate the most respectable interior with their presence.
Cost of a kitten
This is the rarest and most expensive breed of all known domestic cats. Single nurseries can be found in the United States of America, Slovenia, France and in the historical homeland of these animals - in Thailand.
The price for kittens starts from $10,000. Some unique exhibition and breeding specimens reach prices of 20,000 and more.
There are no nurseries in Russia. You need to beware of scammers - it is easy to mistake an ordinary small white yard cat, especially with different eyes, for Kao-Mani, without knowing all the nuances and subtleties of the breed.
Photo gallery of kao-mani:
Description
Before studying the description of the appearance of Thai Khao Mani cats, you need to dive into the history of their origin. The first mention of snow-white cats from Thailand is found in national literature back in 1350. The breed in its modern version was recognized by felinologists from TICA in 2009, and was admitted to exhibitions in 2012. Moreover, specialists from other popular organizations are still not ready to recognize kao mani due to its small number.
For a long time - more than seven centuries in a row - the only one was the Thai royal court. It was this factor, according to experts, that made it possible to maintain the purity of blood. Animals were bred within the population, with virtually no admixture of fresh blood.
Pure-blooded Kao Mani made it outside the country only in the 21st century; the first individuals were exported to the USA, and already there, thanks to enthusiasts, they gained incredible popularity.
Interestingly, the original or local name of the breed sounded like Khao Plort - all white. It is assumed that seal-point Siamese cats were involved in breeding animals with a snow-white color, which, when mixed with domestic outbred animals, can produce such offspring. In addition, heterochromia is observed in kittens obtained through such crossing, a genetic anomaly that provides animals with eyes of different colors.
Origin story
The first mention of a cat with snow-white fur and blue or multi-colored eyes dates back to the 13th century. Khao mani are described in the oldest Thai cat scripture, Tamra Maew. As a rule, they were kept only by high-ranking officials. The early name of the breed was Khao Plort, which means “all white.” The modern name Khao Manee translates as “white pearl”.
At the end of the 19th century, the first cats, which were presented to the English consul by the King of Thailand himself, came to the British Isles and were called “Royal Siamese”. White cats are not widespread. In 1999, the first Kao Mani came to the States, where breeders began strengthening and popularizing the breed.
It is almost impossible to trace the genetic roots of a breed whose age is measured in centuries. In 2012, cats received the right to register and take part in exhibitions, but have not yet achieved the absolute recognition necessary for champion status. Khao Mani breeders work under the patronage of experts from the International Association of Cat Fanciers TICA and the British Cat Organization GCCF.
The breed is difficult to breed and therefore remains very rare. Even in their native Thailand, khao mani are on the verge of extinction. There are no more than a hundred officially registered cats there.
Video about cats of the Khao-Mani breed:
Addition features
Khao mani are not the largest representatives of the cat family. Adult cats grow up to 5 kg, females - up to 3.6 kg with a height at the withers of 25-30 cm. The animal's muscles are quite well developed, the outline of the body is elongated, the back is straight, the chest is much wider than that of its Siamese counterparts. For an eastern breed, the Kao Mani has rather strong and short paws - they are not overly graceful and indicate a strong and robust build. On the limbs there are uniformly colored paw pads, without the appearance of spotting.
The tail of cats is of medium length, mobile. When actively moving, it helps the animal float and make the most risky jumps and somersaults. The color of the animal's coat is exclusively snow-white, the coat is dense, smooth, silky, with a small amount of undercoat.
A small kitten and a teenager under one year old may have a small dark spot on their head, which should completely disappear by the age of one year.
The head of a cat of the Kao Mani breed is wedge-shaped, has a shape characteristic of all eastern representatives of the cat family. The cheekbone line is high, with a slight rounding; in young animals the cheeks may be a little dense; as they grow older, this characteristic feature becomes more pronounced. The area located under the whiskers is clearly defined, the nose has a clear stop, convex on the bridge of the nose, the forehead is wide, giving the cat solidity. The wide-set large ears are slightly pubescent and set vertically.
The eyes of Kao Mani cats deserve special attention from felinologists and simply fans of the breed. Large, with an almond-shaped cut, they have a characteristic reflection, similar to the shine of diamonds. If an animal has a single-color iris, it has a blue tint.
The manifestation of heterochromia is also a sure sign of purebred breeding. With different colors of the iris, one eye is blue, the other is usually green or yellow.
Kittens and adult Kao Mani are allowed to participate in exhibitions only as part of events held by TICA. Here the exterior of purebred animals is assessed and their potential as producers is revealed. Breeding breeds include:
- the appearance of a copper tint to the eyes;
- strabismus;
- underdevelopment of the chin;
- deformation of the tail (fractures, incorrect direction of growth);
- inclusions of a different color on the surface of a white fur coat;
- excessive elegance of physique;
- excessively small ears or eyes;
- manifestation of aggression in character.
Bengal cat
The green-eyed hybrid of a wild Bengal and a domestic cat has dense short hair of a golden-orange color, decorated with dark spots. The character of these cats is also “hybrid”, combining trust in humans and developed hunting skills. They will not give birds and small rodents a chance to live.
The price of a Bengal huntress is $1000-4000.
Character traits
The Khao Mani cat is an excellent companion for a person who needs pleasant company. A friendly animal is not aggressive, easily learns the basic rules of behavior and can even learn various tricks. High intelligence combined with sociability allows cats of this breed to easily find a common language with children. Kao Mani gets along well with other pets.
It is important to remember that the breed is socially active - it has high needs for communication, games, and human care. The animal literally follows on the owner’s heels, in addition, it is characterized by “talkativeness” - the range of sounds produced can surprise people who are familiar with oriental cats only from the silent Siamese.
They are called the ideal choice for those who have never owned animals before - in this case it will be much easier to get used to the role of the owner.
If a representative of the Khao Mani breed has to remain alone for a long time, breeders recommend taking them for company with a second male or female cat. In this case, the animal will not be sad, show signs of destructive behavior or become aggressive. It is important to note that Thai Royal cats have a loud, shrill voice and are not shy about expressing their needs. For people who are not inclined to dialogue with a pet, such a moment in communicating with a cat can be a problem.
Elf
The elven image includes the main identifying feature - noticeable elongated ears. The hairless cats of this hybrid breed have truly unusual ears: large, like those of a sphinx, with tips bent back, like those of a curl. Elves are attached to everyone at home and do not tolerate loneliness well. Ideal for city apartments.
The price of the elf is $2000.
How to choose?
Kao Mani kittens are representatives of a unique breed, possessing a certain set of external characteristics. Not every animal with a white coat and eyes of different colors belongs to this unique species. That’s why you shouldn’t rush when buying and choosing a baby. You should not believe promises of selling a kitten from a Russian nursery or from the territory of the CIS countries. The breed is so small that there are barely 200–300 adult individuals.
Today there are nurseries and breeders of Khao Mani only in the USA, Great Britain, Spain, and Thailand. The most famous of them are Odyssey, Nova, WhiteGemCattery.
Moreover, the cost of one purebred animal is at least 900–2000 dollars, depending on the phenotype, characteristics, and age of the pet.
How to identify healthy kittens when selecting and purchasing? First of all, you need to look at the condition of the furry hair
Health and life expectancy
One of the main pathologies in the breed is deafness in one or both ears. This is a problem with many white animals. There are other diseases, but it is difficult to say whether they are genetic. Average life expectancy is 13 years.
There are very few kao manis all over the world, this has a negative impact on the health of the breed. As you know, prolonged mating between relatives entails consequences - hereditary diseases and various types of pathologies. To reduce the risk of their occurrence and increase the population, the breeding program allows outcrossing with native cats of a suitable phenotype from Thailand, Burma, Malaysia or Vietnam.
