How to Identify Khao Manee
Khao Manee is a breed of domestic cat that originates from Thailand. It is a short-haired cat with white fur and blue, green, or gold eyes.
This unique eye color is what earned it the nickname, “diamond eye” or ” Thai diamond”.
These cats are considered a national treasure in Thailand where they hail from.
Khao Manee cats are very rare, especially outside Thailand. As such, not very many people know how to identify them.
Even though it’s a long stretch, a cat owner can have one without even realizing it.
But thankfully, the breed has lots of unique features that can make identifying it a breeze.
In this blog post, we will teach you how to identify a Khao Manee cat quickly and easily. So, let’s jump right in!
What Are The Characteristics Of A Khao Manee?
The Khao Manee is a rare and beautiful breed of cat. One of the few cats with blue eyes and a shorthair coat, the Khao Manee is thought to be descended from the Siamese.
The breed shares many of its physical characteristics with the Siamese, including its sleek, elegant body and triangular face.
However, the Khao Manee is distinguished by its beautiful blue, green or gold eyes while the Siamese typically has amber or green eyes.
This stunning feature, coupled with its rarity, makes the Khao Manee one of the most sought-after breeds of cat.
If you’re lucky enough to own a Khao Manee, you have a truly special cat.
The Khao Manee has a shorthair coat and an athletic build. Its body is muscular and compact, with medium to long legs.
It has a wedge-shaped head that is complimented well by its pink pointed ears. The eyes are almond-shaped and can be blue, gold or green.
Its tail is medium to long, and the hair on the back of the neck is often longer than that on the body.
One of the most striking features of the Khao Manee is its long, thick whiskers. These whiskers play an important role in the cat’s hunting ability, helping it to sense prey and navigate in low-light conditions.
In addition to their functional purpose, the whiskers also give the Khao Manee a regal and elegant appearance.
As a result, this breed is often compared to the Siamese cat. While the Khao Manee is not as well-known as the Siamese, it is nonetheless a treasured member of the Thai cat family.
Even though these cats are gentle and quiet, they have active personalities. For instance, they like to play and explore their environment.
They are also not shy and will readily warm up to strangers. This would be a great pet for someone who receives plenty of visitors.
Khao Manee cats are also known to be very intelligent and can be trained to perform all sorts of tricks.
What to Look For When Identifying a Khao Manee
There are a few things that you can look for when trying to identify a Khao Manee. First, you can look at their muzzle and body size.
Khao Manees have a short muzzle and a long, slender body. This cat can grow to be about 20 inches long and can weigh up to 15 pounds.
Another interesting feature that sets this breed apart is its oval-shaped paws. This unusual foot shape is thought to help the cat run faster and jump higher.
There aren’t many breeds that have an oval-shaped paw which makes it a good way to identify the breed.
The ears are another distinguishing factor. This breed has large and pointy (typically pink) ears that are set high on its head. These ears are very sensitive and help the cat to pick up sounds from all directions.
But perhaps the most obvious way of identifying Khao Manees is their unique coat which is usually white and it might have some black or brown spots.
It is also a short, dense coat that is smooth to the touch. These coats can be either straight or wavy, and they usually have no undercoat.
The eyes are also unique, being almond-shaped and brilliant green, blue, or gold. This is one of the breeds that can have odd eyes e.g. one blue eye and another gold eye.
Odd-eyed Khao Manees are the most coveted and subsequently the most expensive.
Another distinctive feature is the tail. The Khao Manee has a medium-length tail that is thick at the base and tapers to a point.
This tail is strong and flexible, and it helps the cat to balance while running and jumping.
If you are still unsure if you have found a Khao Manee, you can always ask a professional. A breeder or vet should be able to help you identify your cat.
Are All Khao Manees Odd-Eyed?
No, not all Khao Manee are odd-eyed. In fact, odd-eyed Khao Manees are the rarest and also most desirable.
Odd-eyed cats have one blue eye and one eye of another color. This can be two different shades of blue, or one blue eye and one green, yellow, or gold eye. The other colored eye is usually dominant.
It’s not uncommon for odd-eyed cats to have different colored irises within each eye. For example, one blue eye may have a greenish-blue inner ring around the pupil, while the other eye is a solid blue color.
Odd-eyed cats are typically very beautiful and striking creatures.
Parting Thoughts
In conclusion, the best way to identify a Khao Manee is by its physical attributes.
For starters, these cats have a unique coat color. They are always white but they may have some patches of black and red.
They typically have green or blue eyes, although some may have one blue and one green eye.
Odd-eyed Khao Manees are also possible but quite rare. You can also use their paws for identification.
If the kitty has oval-shaped paws, then there is a good chance he is a Khao Manee.
By and large, you want to have at least two important physical features matching the checklist for you to be certain.
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoyed learning about the Khao Manee!
