INTRODUCTION

Khao Manee, also known as ‘Diamond Eye’ is a breed of cat that originated in Thailand. They were bred by Thailand's King Rama V, and were considered to be animals that brought good luck.

THE HISTORY OF THE KHAO MANEE

Native to Thailand, the Khao Manee cat is considered an ancient breed, already recorded in the mythical Tamra Maew, a poem about Thai cats dating back to the 14th century.

From 1868 to 1910, King Rama V devoted himself to breeding them in his palace, as he believed they attracted good luck and happiness, making them the cats of royalty. He also hid the existence of these cats from the English and French and instead introduced them to the Siamese cat as if it were the court cat.

As a result, the Khao Manee cat remained in Western anonymity until 1999, when it was on the verge of extinction. Breeder Colleen Freymouth brought the first specimens to the United States, where she began a breeding programme to preserve them.

Today, despite Freymouth's breeding programme, it is still largely unknown in the West. Its name means ‘white gem’, although they have also been known as ‘white jewel’, ‘royal cat of Siam’ or ‘diamond eyes’.

WHAT IS THE KHAO MANEE LIKE?

The Khao Manee cat can only have a white coat, this being a uniform characteristic in all specimens. Occasionally, they can sire cats with colours other than white, although they would not be recognisable as Khao Manee. They are still able to follow a breeding programme of the breed, as the white colour comes from a dominant gene. These non-white cats would have to be crossed with white cats in order to continue the breed.

This cat is also medium sized, with an agile and strong body. Its legs are sturdy and long, with oval feet. Its head is wedge-shaped and also of medium size, with a small, straight nose and prominent cheek bones. Its tail is long and broad at the base and, finally, it has medium-sized ears with rounded tips.

These cats are also characterised by their eye colour, which can be blue, green or amber, all very bright and striking, or even have heterochromia, i.e. one eye is a different colour to the other.

THE HEALTH OF THE KHAO MANEE CAT

These cats are not characterised by any type of illness associated with their breed, although, due to their characteristic white coat and light eyes, they may be at risk of deafness, which is becoming less common in the breed thanks to breeding programmes and the selection of deaf-free specimens.

THE PERSONALITY OF THE KHAO MANEE

Considered active, affectionate and sociable, Khao Manee cats form a very strong bond with their owners. It is also a very playful cat, capable of bringing back a toy like a dog.

His intelligence makes this cat very curious and he may be able to run away, although his strong bond with his family makes him always come back home. His sociability means that he is not afraid of strangers, but quite the opposite, approaching them to welcome them.

Being a distant cousin of the Siamese, the Khao Manee cat tends to be very talkative, meowing for attention, food or affection. Finally, although not considered a gluttonous cat, it does need daily exercise to maintain its flexibility and stimulate its physical abilities.

CONCLUSION

The Khao Manee, a true feline gem native to Thailand, has captivated hearts throughout history with its mesmerising appearance and intriguing legend. Its name translates as ‘white gem’, and this could not be more fitting for a cat that exudes beauty and mysticism.