Thai cat: photo, description of the breed, colors and character, kitten price

History of the Thai cat breed

Thai cat
The National Library of Bangkok contains the manuscript “Book of Poems about Cats,” dating from the 14th-15th centuries, in which a breed similar to the modern one is mentioned in writing for the first time.

It was believed that Vichien Mae (as Thai cats are called in ancient manuscripts) lived only in royal palaces and Buddhist temples. Four-legged guards protected the chambers not only from evil spirits, but also from very real mice, rats and snakes, whose bites were harmless to cats due to the special properties of the skin: density, elasticity, minimal number of blood vessels and nerve endings, which reduced the pain threshold and prevented the spread of infection throughout the body. Cats with such outstanding features were carefully protected from strangers. It was strictly forbidden to export animals outside the kingdom of Siam. This attitude towards the Thais was the reason that they first appeared on the European continent only towards the end of the 19th century.

According to the official version, the first two cats of this breed were presented by the King of Thailand to the representative of the British diplomatic mission, Owen Gould, as a sign of the highest favor. Animals of unusual color created a sensation in the capital of the British Empire. Having learned about this success, the ruler of Siam, Chilalongkorn, sent several dozen purebred royal cats as a gift to high-ranking members of the British court. From that moment on, targeted breeding of the breed began in Europe.

In 1892, the first official breed standard for the Royal Siamese cat was defined. If you look through the records of the Thais of those times in the stud book of the Northern Cat Club (NCC), you will find the entry: “breeder - King of Siam.”

The popularity of the breed grew rapidly and reached its peak in America and Europe by the second half of the 20th century.

Thai kitten

The appearance of Siamese cats in Russia dates back to the same time. Breeding of the breed in the territory of the former USSR was practically uncontrolled, which led to its widespread distribution throughout the country. At the first exhibitions in Moscow and Leningrad, animals were exhibited in the “novice” category under the name “Old Siamese cat”.

In 1988, the president of the WCF (World Cat Federation), Anna-Lisa Hackman, having assessed the cats presented at Russian exhibitions, decided to create a new breed of “Thai cat”. The standard that is relevant today was first described in 1990, and registered by WCF in 1991.

Surprisingly, it turned out that the traditional Thai cat (despite the name) turned out to be an indigenous Russian breed.

Not so long ago, some twenty years ago, representatives of the breed were very popular. Gradually they began to be supplanted by the Persians, the British, and the sophisticated Siamese of European selection. However, there are still many connoisseurs of these magnificent animals who will do everything to ensure that the magical blue-eyed cats are not forgotten.

History of the origin of the breed

This is perhaps one of those cat breeds that is surrounded by many different legends and speculations. According to some legends, these cats have:

Blue eyes, which Buddha himself gave to cats as gratitude for their faithful service in protecting monasteries.
The hunting instinct, which helped the clergy in the fight against rodents that caused irreparable damage to books and manuscripts.
Attachment to people. When the princesses went swimming, they strung their jewelry on the tails of their cats.

Interesting to know! Nowadays, in Thailand, there is a belief that keeping a cat and a lemur monkey in a person’s home can protect the house and those living in the house from evil spirits, attracting prosperity to the family.

Thai cats have always been valued in their homeland, so only the rich, as well as their close associates, could keep them. Not so long ago it was believed that after the death of their owner, animals accompanied his soul to the next world. Therefore, after the burial of the owner, the animals went to temples, where they continued to live in complete luxury. They slept on expensive pillows and ate the most delicious dishes served on golden bowls. People believed that cats were closest to God and were able to protect the soul of their owner who died.

In the 14th century, the first images of these unique animals appeared, when the handwritten collection “The Book of Poems about Cats” was published, which is considered a rare rarity of the Bangkok National Library. In this collection you can see what the “shining diamonds” looked like. Many of the drawings were accompanied by such signatures. In those days, these cats were considered sacred, so exporting them outside of Siam (modern Thailand) was strictly prohibited.

Only in the 19th century did these cats appear in Europe, and that was thanks to the fact that one local ruler gave two kittens of different sexes to one British consul as a sign of special gratitude. Already in 1885, the first cat exhibition was organized at the Crystal Palace in London and the descendants of this couple, brought by the consul from Thailand, took part in it. Visitors were simply delighted by the animals' unique sapphire look, as well as their coats with a hint of baked milk, including charming chocolate-colored points located on the face, legs and tail.

In 1892, animal enthusiast and connoisseur Harrison Ware, who is considered the founder of felinology, first outlined the official standards for the Thai (Royal Siamese) cat. Based on the exhibited examples of this cat breed, Ware divided them into 2 types: the first type had a dense build and a wide muzzle, and the second type was more refined, with a more elongated body and a wedge-shaped head.

The British liked the type that had more refined forms, so further work on breeding Thai cats was based on this type of animal, which served as the prototype of modern Siamese cats. At the same time, German and American breeders, who did not agree with their English colleagues, set to work, taking as a basis the preservation of the natural type, which had more optimal body proportions. As a result, the Thai cat breed was born, which only in 1990 was officially recognized as a Thai cat breed with its own breed standards adopted by the WCF.

Appearance of a Thai cat

The standard approved in 1991 is currently under revision, so the breed is considered open. This means that any animal similar in phenotype to a Thai cat can be classified as a representative. To confirm such affiliation, it is necessary to have two expert signatures in the registration documents. Such animals are allowed for official breeding.

Head

Round, without pronounced angularities and flat fragments. The forehead is moderately convex, the transition to the nose is clearly marked and is level with the eyes, in no case below the conventional horizontal line running along the level of the lower eyelid. Stop is not observed. The muzzle is clearly marked, the cheeks are round, clearly defined in adult animals. Excessive plumpness is considered a fault. The nose is of medium length, straight.

Eyes

The eyes of Thai cats are slightly slanted (almond or lemon shaped) and large. The color of the iris ranges from sky blue to blue. A rich shade is valued more highly. Round or excessively slanted eyes lower the experts' ratings.

Ears

Thai ears are medium-sized, with a wide base and rounded tips. They are located widely on the head. Characterized by slight multidirectionality.

Neck

The length is closer to short. It is preferable for a cat to have a short neck.

Muzzle of a Thai cat

Torso

The body of the Thai cat is dense, muscular, but not massive. The chest is quite wide.

Legs and paws

The limbs are of medium length, proportional to the size of the body. Strong, muscular. The paws are round and small.

Tail

Hey man, let me in!

Thick at the base, slightly tapering towards the tip. Not long.

Wool

The Thai cat's coat is thin, short, smooth to the touch, adheres well to the skin, but is not “flat”. There is practically no undercoat.

Color

The determining factor in the phenotype of the breed is the acromelanic color, when individual parts of a generally light-colored animal have a contrasting dark shade (in the case of a Thai cat, paws, muzzle and tail). The gamma of the main tone suggests the corresponding colors of the mask and limbs. Dark fur on other parts of the animal's body, as well as visible light hairs or light spots on points, is a disqualifying factor.

Description of Thai cats

Thai cats are similar to well-fed Siamese cats - round faces, shorter legs, lack of angularity. The appearance of modern Thais completely coincides with the original old-type appearance of the breed. This is what the exterior description looks like:

The body is medium in size, compact and stocky. The weight of Thai cats ranges from 3 to 5 kilograms;
The head is round, resembling an apple. The muzzle is slightly extended forward;
The eyes are slanted, blue, in the form of large almonds - a distinctive feature of purebred Thais;
The ears are smaller than those of the Siamese and are located on the sides. The tips are rounded;
The neck is strong and muscular, of medium or short length;
Tail proportional to the body with a round tip;
Slender but powerful legs with small round paws;
The coat is short and dense, without undercoat. Less attached to the body than Siamese cats, which is why Thais appear larger.

Many people confuse Siamese cats with Thai cats, but the differences between these breeds are noticeable to the naked eye. In general, Thai cats appear rounder and fluffier.

Photo of a Thai cat

Care

Thai cats are clean and can lick their fur for several hours. Even due to increased activity, pets do not damage furniture. But a small kitten still needs to be accustomed to a scratching post and a tray.

Wool

Like any other short-haired breed, it is enough to brush the coat 1-2 times a week. You can also remove lost hair from the body by simply running a wet hand over the cat’s body several times; the excess hair will remain on your hands.

If the cat is a participant in exhibitions, then it is advisable to bathe it. This should be done in warm, but not hot water, and use a special shampoo for animals so that the fur remains soft and silky. This procedure is performed once a month.

Nutrition

Immediately after purchasing a cat, you need to make a decision regarding the type of pet food: natural food or special dry food.

Attention! Combining two types of food is strictly prohibited.

In the case of industrial feed, you just need to choose a suitable brand, at least premium.

If the decision has been made to feed the cat natural food, their menu should be balanced and nutritious. Food should be served slightly warmed.

Adult cats need to be fed 2-3 times a day, and kittens 5 to 6 times (this is explained by the fact that they are more active).

Be sure to add to the diet:

chicken and beef meat;
yolk of chicken or quail eggs;
fermented milk products with reduced fat content;
boiled fish;
low fat pork.

It is strictly forbidden to pamper your cat with food such as:

products with a high percentage of fat content;
sweets;
smoked meats and spices;
coloring vegetables.

Caring for ears, eyes and claws

When caring for a Thai cat, you need to pay attention to the following parts of the body:

Eyes. Thai cats normally have moderate discharge from the eyes, so this can be removed with a damp cloth. If your cat has a lot of discharge from the eyes or no discharge at all, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian.
Ears. Despite the fact that the ears of Thai cats are small, they also need to be cleaned of dust and dirt. To do this, use cotton swabs and liquid for wetting. But do not clean too deeply, as there is a risk of damaging the ear.
Teeth. It is recommended to clean with a toothbrush and a special paste for cats. If it is not possible to purchase such a paste, then you can simply wipe your teeth with wet and dry gauze. It is recommended to do this regularly, several times a week.
Claws. They need to be trimmed to avoid injuries that the cat can inflict on itself by getting caught on furniture and clothes. For the procedure, scissors or nail clippers are used. It is necessary to cut off the transparent part without touching the vessels and living tissue.

Walking your pet

Thai cats take walks very well.

Recommendations for walking an animal:

It is better to take the cat out on a leash so that it cannot run away and get lost;
Before walking, you should put on a flea collar and treat the fur with insect repellent;
the walk should take place in a place where there are no dogs;
Do not walk during estrus.

On the street, a cat is more interested in warmth rather than vitamin D, since this is genetically embedded in them.

Personality of the Thai cat

The ancient origin and special history of the relationship between Siamese cats and humans have left their mark on the character of the representatives of this breed.

Shall we chat?

The Thai cat is a true intellectual of the cat world. And it’s not just about the traditional cleanliness of these animals - many furry pets surprisingly quickly understand the essence of certain plumbing fixtures and begin to use them for their intended purpose, bypassing the traditional tray. And it’s not even that the Thai cat is an ideal object for training. The ability of an animal to understand people is amazing. Many believe that they received this skill from the monks of Siam. When she gets into your home, she will unmistakably identify the dominant member of the family and, with royal condescension, will count him among her favorites. This will not negatively affect relationships with other household members, but she will only wait and miss her “chosen one.”

Thais love to chat. Moreover, they do this with pleasure, if they just want to maintain a friendly conversation, or out of necessity, if they need to prove and explain something to the owner. The variety of intonations and sounds perfectly characterizes the state of your pet - he will come to thank you for a delicious dinner or express his displeasure with a long absence. At the same time, the Thai cat is sensitive to the mood of the owner - she can come to support you at the right time or, conversely, leave you alone with yourself.

Everyone, without exception, notes the curiosity of pets. Everything in the house will be examined and studied with special care. The statistics of cat injuries are directly related to this character trait. And if you lightly burn your nose with steam from a kettle or singe your mustache in the flame of a burning candle - it’s not so bad, then flying out of the window after a flying bird can end in disaster. Although even bitter life experience will not reduce the animal’s fearlessness.

The Thai cat always chooses a place in the house from which it can constantly control the situation. She loves active games, although she can also fool around with pleasure herself.

Thais are child friendly. You can safely leave your cat alone with even the smallest child. She will never let out her claws and certainly will not bite your baby.

For all their self-sufficiency, Thai cats are very affectionate creatures. She will tolerate a change of situation, and even short-term loneliness, if she is confident in your love.

Buying a Thai cat

The price of a kitten depends on the class to which it belongs - show animals are more expensive than pets.

It's better to buy from a nursery. Before purchasing, you need to check information about the place of detention, the breeder and pay attention to the authenticity of the documents, which can be easily viewed from registries on the Internet. Taking advantage of the popularity of the breed, scammers are increasingly posing as breeders trying to sell half-pedigreed kittens as real “Thais”.

It is better for the future owner to pick up the kitten from the nursery themselves. The best age to buy a baby is 2.5-4 months. By this time, the pet should have received all the necessary vaccinations, be able to use a tray and scratching post, and not be afraid of people. The color is white, point marks begin to form at the age of one and a half months and finish by two years.

A personal visit to the nursery will also give an idea about the conditions of keeping the young animals, their parents and the relationship of the breeder to his charges.

Prices for kittens without documents are about 5,000 rubles, breed-class kittens cost about 25,000 rubles, show-class kittens cost 35,000 rubles.

Upbringing

By the time they move to a new home, Thai kittens have already mastered the basic rules of behavior well and know how to use a scratching post and litter box.
To make the process of getting used to a new place of residence quick and painless, try to create an environment for your baby that is similar to the one in which he spent the first months of his life. Talk to your pet calmly, without raising your voice unnecessarily. A Thai will quickly understand that if they are dissatisfied with him and loudly scold him, then he has really done something wrong. Keep the use of harsh measures to a minimum. Aggression can only breed aggression. You can calm an overly angry cat with a stream of cool water. This is not painful or humiliating for the royal cat, unlike physical punishment. Provide your baby with enough toys. This will distract him from mischief and protect your things from damage. Keep valuable items and papers out of reach of the animal.

Having a cat in the house is both a great joy and a huge responsibility. And this responsibility lies with the individual.

Features of care

The Thai cat is terribly curious and often gets into trouble because of this character trait. When a kitten of this breed appears in the house, owners need to take care of its safety. If the family lives on the upper floors of a high-rise building, the windows should not be kept open. As a last resort, they need to be curtained with protective nets, since the Thai will probably personally decide to check the situation in the outside world.

At the same time, it is not at all necessary to keep a Thai cat at home all the time. She adapts perfectly to the leash and obediently walks with it outside. Before the first walk, the pet must undergo a course of vaccination. At home, the kitten must be provided with a scratching post and plenty of toys. Otherwise, the animal itself will find sources of inspiration for games in the owner’s wardrobe or craft basket.

Thai cats do not need to be constantly brushed, since they do not have a thick undercoat and almost no hair grows out. Once a week or two, you can simply stroke your pet with a damp hand all over its body to collect loose hairs. You can also comb the cat for this purpose, but it is not advisable to touch the tail.

Bathing a Thai cat

Bathing procedures are recommended for this breed, but not too often. It is necessary to bathe your cat once a year, other times - as needed. It is better to do this in a bath or shower. You can't handle this active cat in the sink. Before starting the procedure, the ears should be covered with cotton wool, after which the cat can be combed well.

Bathing begins with watering the fur. Once it is damp enough, you can use shampoo. If the pet is very dirty, you will have to apply 2-3 soaps. At the end of the procedure, traces of shampoo must be thoroughly rinsed off so that the animal does not lick it off. This may result in stomach problems. Once a month, your pet needs to have its ears cleaned.

Thai cats are quite thermophilic, so after bathing it is advisable to dry the cat well and place it in a warm room. Breeders believe that in cold conditions, representatives of this breed may have darker fur in the wrong places (on the body, belly). This feature is also associated with poor nutrition. If a cat is on natural food, it is not advisable to give it liver and seafood.

Care and maintenance

Siamese kitten

Caring for a Thai cat is not at all burdensome. Like a kitten of any breed, the little Thai must first of all be taught to use a litter tray and a scratching post. Kids are very smart and quickly understand what's what. Take a closer look at exactly where the kitten sharpens its claws most often, and place there either a store-bought device or a hand-made device made from thick fabric.

Curtains on the windows are very attractive to Thai babies, so for the first time tie them to a height inaccessible to the little prankster. Over time, they will become uninteresting to him, and the animal will direct its curiosity and activity in a different direction.

Your pet is unlikely to like the bathing procedure, but he will endure it with truly royal endurance. Make sure that water does not get into your ears during bathing procedures. Do not use “human” shampoos - there are enough specialized cosmetics on sale.

Caring for the fur of a Thai cat is extremely simple. It is enough to simply stroke your pet with a damp hand once a week to collect lost hairs. You can use a brush made of soft natural bristles or a special mitten - cats love massage, which, in addition to being cosmetic, also has a healing effect. A characteristic feature of the acromelanic color is its temperature dependence. The cooler the room where a Thai cat lives, the more active the age-related darkening of the coat occurs, which can negatively affect the exhibition career. The most problematic colors in this sense are seal point and blue point. The process can be slowed down if the animal is kept at an air temperature of +23 to +25 °C.

Only cats kept exclusively inside the house need to have their nails trimmed. This is done 2 times a month using a nail clipper or sharp nail scissors. Be careful not to damage living tissue with blood vessels.

Oral care involves periodically brushing your teeth and checking the condition of your gums. Performing this procedure periodically is advisable if you feed your Thai cat natural food.

Ears and eyes are cleaned as needed.

Feeding the cat

The two main rules are balance and sufficiency.

Kittens are fed 6-8 times a day in small portions, an adult animal receives food twice a day. Food should always be fresh, not cold or hot. Having a bowl of constantly clean water is a must.

I found my place in this house

Each owner decides the issue of balance independently. If at first you should follow the diet that the breeder followed, then in the future you can gradually transfer your Thai cat to a diet that will be more convenient for you.

There will be less hassle with ready-made feed. There is one “but” here - the widely advertised options from supermarkets are not suitable, otherwise health problems will arise. Use only specially developed premium and super-premium grades.

Supporters of a natural diet should remember that food from our table is not suitable for Thai cats. Your pet will have to cook separately. The menu must include raw meat, cut in such a way that the cat does not immediately swallow the piece, but chews it for some time. But be sure to cook the fish. Contrary to popular belief, it should not be made the dominant food product. Moreover, do not feed fish to a pregnant animal. Pamper your cat with a chicken egg once a week. Cottage cheese is welcome in the diet, but low-fat varieties are better. Hot and spicy dishes are excluded from the diet of Thai cats.

Vegetables and fruits can be given without restrictions - the cat will choose what she wants to eat at the moment.

If your Thai does not leave the house, make sure that her diet includes fresh grass or green cereals (seeds can be bought at a pet store and grown in ordinary flower pots).

When creating a menu, be sure to take into account the age of your pet - this will help avoid many problems. You can cook for cats only from fresh and high-quality products.

Where's my food?

Keeping a Thai cat

These cats are also very popular because they do not require a special approach, both in feeding and care.

Care and hygiene

Considering the fact that the Thai cat has short hair, caring for it comes down to regularly combing out dead hairs using a special brush. To make the coat look attractive, it is enough to comb it once a week, although during periods of shedding, this should be done a little more often. The brush must be held in the direction of hair growth, but the tail should not be combed, since it will remove not only dead, but also living hairs. After the combing process, any remaining hair should be removed from the animal’s body. To do this, just run a damp cloth or damp hand over the fur. To make the wool shiny, it needs to be polished using a piece of suede or silk fabric.

For a Thai cat, water procedures are not mandatory, but if it is necessary to prepare the animal for an exhibition, then it is hardly possible to do without bathing. In this case, you need to use a special shampoo for animals. After bathing, your pet needs to be dried and ensure that there are no drafts in the house.

What to feed a Thai cat

There are no special requirements for feeding a Thai cat compared to other breeds. When choosing natural food, the following food products should be present in the diet of a Thai cat:

Turkey, chicken and rabbit meat.
Beef tenderloin and beef by-products.
Cottage cheese.
Chicken yolk.
Quail eggs.

In addition, it is permissible to feed your pet:

Boiled lean pork.
Chicken giblets, as well as heads, necks and backs.
Boiled river fish without bones.

Seafood and sea fish are not advisable in the diet of a Thai cat, since they contain iodine, which begins to darken the animal’s fur. Natural feeding should be balanced, without allowing a mono-diet, when either meat or fish predominates in the diet. According to experts, you should not get too carried away with a varied diet. It is very important to give preference to familiar, simpler foods that are absorbed most fully. The following foods are prohibited for these animals:

Fatty foods of any origin, as well as salted, fried, smoked food components, as well as products containing various spices and seasonings.
Foods that can change coat color. These include carrots and beets (table).
Any sweets, especially those containing theobromine.

Important to remember! No matter what food you feed your pet, it should always have fresh, clean water.

Feeding ready-made factory dry food requires a special approach, since it is desirable to use only high-quality “super-premium” or “holistic” class food, and you should always pay attention to the purpose of the food, depending on the main color. For animals with pure white coat color, you should choose food that does not include various additives that can change the brightness of the coat color.

Thai cat. Peculiarities. Care

Health and diseases of the Thai cat

The Thai cat received good health from its royal ancestors. Among other purebred animals, it is rightfully considered a long-liver: with an average life expectancy of 12-14 years, there have often been cases where a Thai has delighted his owners for more than two decades.

Strong immunity should in no case be a reason to refuse the necessary vaccinations, which must be done annually.

It would be naive to assume that Thai cats do not get sick at all. They have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, and may have problems with the heart or teeth. But statistics show that the incidence of these diseases is no higher than in representatives of other breeds. The main thing is to carefully monitor the cat’s health. Timely adoption of the necessary measures plus the naturally good immunity will help to overcome all troubles.

The Thai cat is characterized by early puberty. Animals may be ready to mate as early as 4-5 months, but this does not mean at all that it is time to start mating. Such experiments can have an extremely negative impact on the condition of your pet, and you are unlikely to get healthy kittens. It is better to wait until the cat reaches one year of age.

Don't rush with sterilization. Such an operation should not be performed until the animal reaches six months of age. Some breed lines of Thai cats may be predisposed to developing mammary tumors. Veterinary practice shows that timely sterilization (up to one year) significantly reduces possible risks.

Genetic diseases of Thais can be considered convergent strabismus and tail defects. They are easily determined visually, although with the first problem everything is not so clear. The baby can “mow” temporarily, due to his tender age. If parents and grandparents are fine from this point of view, then most likely this is normal childhood strabismus. As you grow older, the deficiency will disappear. But there are times when this problem occurs in an adult cat. The most common cause is severe stress.

Caring for a Thai cat

Thai cats are not picky. They do not require special care and get along well in any home. When buying a kitten, you should acquire all the necessary equipment for a comfortable life for your pet.

Grooming takes minimal effort. It is enough to “wipe” the cat with wet hands once a week to remove loose hairs. Domestic Thais do not need bathing. They are quite clean and restore beauty on their own. An exception may be a young individual who managed to get dirty during research at home.

A scratching post will help you care for your claws. It is desirable that it be spacious and high, because Thai women love to climb, and this helps to grind off not only the front claws, but also scratches on the hind legs.

Teeth, ears - everything is like other cats. Regular brushing, an occasional handful of dry food, and periodic checkups with your veterinarian will help keep your pet healthy. It is also important to combat parasites in a timely manner, or better yet, to prevent their appearance.

When keeping a Thai cat, you need to take into account its love of exploration. She will definitely check every corner of the house. Windows will not be an exception, so you need to take care of the safety of the furry weasel by purchasing mosquito nets.

How to choose a kitten

Like any purebred animal, a Thai kitten must meet certain criteria.

The acromelanic color does not imply the presence of white spots on the points. Carefully examine your chosen one.
The kitten's tail should be smooth, without kinks or thickening.
Make sure your baby doesn't have strabismus.

How to determine if your chosen one is healthy? The rules are simple. Firstly, by the age of three months (and earlier it is not recommended to take the kitten away from its mother), the breeder must give the baby all the necessary vaccinations, which is confirmed by the corresponding entries in the veterinary passport. Secondly, take the time to carefully examine the little Thai. The ears should be clean, the eyes should be free of signs of souring and streaks. The tummy of a healthy baby is painless and soft. The Thai cat pays very close attention to the hygiene of its children, and if the kitten’s tail is clean and dry, then it does not suffer from digestive problems.

The behavior of a little Thai can say a lot about both his health and character. An active cat eats well, shows its natural curiosity, is not afraid of strangers and boldly makes contact with people.

Even small Thai kittens can read people well. If the fluffy one has shown interest in you, and even more so happily climbed onto your lap, then you can rest assured that this is your cat.

Classic color varieties

The colors of Thai cats are a separate issue. They are very diverse. All representatives of the breed are distinguished by the “Siamese color”. Professionals also call it:

Himalayan;
acromelanistic;
pointed.

It is easy to recognize: the animal’s body is white (it can have shades), and its face, ears, paws and tail are painted in a contrasting shade: brown (chocolate), red (red), lilac (lilac) - there are a lot of options.

But the peculiarity of the color is not only in the unusual combination of colors. It “blooms” as the animal matures. Thai breed kittens are born completely white. Over time, marks of a different shade appear on their body. In the future, it all may become dark.

If the markings (points) and the leading color of the coat contrast brightly, you can think about the pet’s participation in exhibitions. Professionals also evaluate how evenly colored the marks are.

Color combinations on the animal's body are classic and modern. Traditionally, the Thai Shorthair cat can have the following colors:

seal point. The main coat color is light cream, fading to light brown. The marks are characterized by a rich dark brown, almost black tint. Eye color is deep blue. They themselves are bright and glow beautifully. Paws covered with light hair and a greenish iris will be faults;

blue point. The body coat is bluish-white, often characterized by a cool tone, but a warm undertone may be present. Shades the color of the markings - deep bluish-gray. It is important that the ears do not differ from the other points and are not darker than them. The color of the nose and soles of the paws resembles dark slate. Bright iris of deep blue hue. The blue tone present in the color tightens the requirements for eye color. If he is pale, then surrounded by bluish-gray points on his face he will not look at all expressive;

chocolate point. The name of the color speaks for itself. The fur on the animal's body is a noble ivory color. Brown markings, reminiscent of milk chocolate in tone, stand out effectively on it. The iris is blue, sometimes with a violet tint. Over the years, the color of the coat remains almost unchanged. The color received recognition in 1950;

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Lilac point or frost point. The leading color is magnolia. It is icy white, shaded with an ivory tone. The markings are gray-purple-pink. The eyes are a little paler than other Thais, but not faded. The iris is light blue. The body of the animal retains the combination of points and leading color given by nature throughout its life, practically without darkening. The color, called lilac point, was officially recognized in 1954.

Photos of Thai kittens

History of the breed

Representatives of the new breed appeared as a result of breeding work with Siamese cats. Europeans and Americans liked the Thai cat so much that it surpassed its ancestors, the Siamese cats, in popularity.

The first mentions of cats of this breed date back to the 14th century. Bangkok manuscripts contain descriptions of exotic cats. As a result of breeding work, the type of Siamese cats has changed and become more refined. Representatives of the Thai breed first came to England in 1884. In 1920, the first animal came from Europe to the New World.

The breed received official approval in 1990 in Germany. The Thai breed is recognized as a closed breed, and mating of cats with representatives of other varieties is prohibited. Mating with other cats is carried out with the permission of the club in which the animal is registered.

There is a certain procedure for confirming the breed. A cat that has passed the examination of experts is issued a certificate of conformity and only after that can it be called Thai. Pets recognized as a pure breed take part in exhibitions and breeding.

Fans of the old type are engaged in breeding exclusively Siamese cats. These are the so-called apple-headed animals with powerful paws, a strong body, and a flatter chest. Siamese have become a rarer breed and are found much less frequently than their Thai relatives.

A peculiar coat color is incomplete albinism, when the coloring pigment is not completely present.

Thai cat health

The health of the Thai cat is very strong, but it does not provide one hundred percent protection from infections and parasites. To protect your furry pet, keep up with his vaccination schedule and give him deworming medications quarterly.

Possible diseases

Despite their high immunity, Thais are not protected from hereditary diseases. These include:

Tail defects
. The creases at the tip of the tail are attributed to breeding. They are not always visible to the naked eye. A small defect can only be palpated by a specialist.
Predisposition to breast tumors
. Due to the increased likelihood of this disease, it is recommended that all animals not involved in breeding be neutered. The operation stops the production of sex hormones and reduces the level of possible risk.
Convergent strabismus
. In childhood, this pathology is usually temporary. If there were no animals in the family with strabismus, then vision is restored on its own as it grows older.
Cardiomyopathy
. Heart disease is associated with congenital thickening or thinning of the walls of the heart ventricles. This pathology is fraught with pulmonary edema, but with timely treatment its development can be stopped.

All of these diseases are diagnosed in rare representatives, so for the health of your pet it is enough to regularly visit the veterinarian. Remember that an annual preventive examination is a reliable way to detect diseases at an early stage.

Reproductive health

Girls of this breed mature quickly. The first estrus begins at 4-6 months, but mating is still carried out no earlier than 1 year. Ideally, plan offspring after the third heat. By this time, a fully mature organism is able to survive pregnancy and childbirth without complications. Usually a pet gives birth to up to 5 kittens.

The breed is classified as closed, but suffers from a small number of representatives. Animals that have passed the certification procedure are allowed to breed. If phenotypic similarity with Thais is identified, they are approved to participate in experimental breeding. Without a certificate, the pet will not be allowed to breed, even if it visually meets the standard.

Boys who do not participate in breeding the breed are castrated at 8-10 months after puberty. Earlier sterilization is acceptable if prescribed by a veterinarian. They try to sterilize cats before their first heat, but not earlier than 6 months. At this age, surgery minimizes the risk of developing cancer.

Raising a Thai cat

Developed intelligence helps pets quickly learn new commands. With the help of training, a Thai can be taught to go to the toilet not in the tray, but directly in the toilet.

Most kittens purchased from nurseries are already accustomed to a scratching post and toilet. All you have to do is show your baby all these accessories in a new place. The innate cleanliness of the breed helps to quickly achieve success and reduce training time to a minimum.

Another pleasant feature of the Thais is their lack of desire to mark territory. You can immediately forget about odorous marks in the house. If a puddle is still found, contact your veterinarian. A healthy animal will not walk past the tray. Don't scold your pet and try to find out what happened to him.

If your baby persistently chews your hands and scratches the furniture, spray him with a stream of water or scold him. Remember that you cannot scream. Animals pick up intonation well and quickly understand what's what.

The use of any physical violence is also prohibited. Assault is detrimental to a cat’s psyche and will ruin your relationship forever.