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What is a Khao Manee?
Introduction
The pure white Khao Manee (pronounced “cow man-ee”) is also known as the diamond eye cat because of its trademark jewel-like eyes, which may be blue, green, gold, or “odd” (two eyes of different colors). The Khao Manee developed naturally in Thailand many hundreds of years ago, and its name means “white gem.”
This petite cat with silky short hair is friendly and outgoing, so it adores attention and playtime. The only trouble is finding one—the Khao Manee is a rare breed in the United States.
Breed History
Originating in Thailand, the Khao Manee breed has been around for centuries. This breed’s history has been recorded in the Tamra Maew, also called the Treatise on Cats or Cat Book Poems, which was written in 1350 A.D. This manuscript contains illustrations and descriptions of more than 20 cat breeds, though only a handful of these cats exist today.
The Khao Manee cat is extremely rare outside of Thailand. The first Khao Manee was imported into the United States in 1999. The breed is recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and the International Cat Association (TICA), which uses the breed spelling “KhaoManee.”. However even today, outside their home country of Thailand, the Khao Manee breed remains quite rare in the rest of the world.
Attributes
Khao Manee cats are very friendly and outgoing. Whenever you have new company over to your house, chances are your cat will not hesitate to go up to and meet this newcomer. In their eyes, this is just a chance to meet a new friend!
The social Khao Manee cat needs abundant attention and interaction from its human family—this is not a breed that is content to be left alone for several hours every day.
This breed also gets along well with children, even those of a younger age. Thanks to the high-energy Khao Manee cat personality, they won’t tire out quickly when playing. Even though Khao Manee are known to do well around kids, it is still crucial to teach kids how to interact with the cat properly and until your children are a bit older, it doesn’t hurt to supervise their interactions.
Khao Manee cats additionally enjoy the company of other pets. In fact, these cats prefer to be in the company of others, so by having another pet in the house, you can ensure that they don’t become lonely or bored.
While the easy-going nature of this cat breed can make them an excellent choice for first-time cat parents, this may not be the best breed for someone with a hectic schedule. These cats prefer to spend their time with their family, and they typically don’t enjoy being left alone for endless hours.
These all-white cats have a glistening coat that contrasts their bold-colored eyes, which can be various shades of blue, green, or gold. Though it can vary per cat, the average weight for a Khao Manee is 8-10 pounds, and the expected Khao Manee lifespan is 12-15 years.
Grooming
This may come as good news to cat parents, but the Khao Manee breed does not require extensive grooming. With a short coat, typically, just one good brushing a week is enough to collect any loose or dead hairs. Not only will a weekly brushing help keep your cat’s coat healthy, but it can also help decrease the chances of your cat getting hairballs.
Your cat’s nails will need to be trimmed every few weeks, though the timeframe may vary slightly per cat. If your Khao Manee isn’t a fan of this process, you may find it helpful just to trim one paw at a time. Don’t forget to reward your feline friend with some cuddle time, chin scratches, or treats afterward.
In addition to trimming your cat’s nails, it will also be necessary for you to check your pal’s ears every few weeks. If they appear dirty, gently clean them out with a cotton ball and a cat ear-safe cleaning solution—never use cotton swabs as these could accidentally cause injury. If you ever notice that your cat’s ears appear to be more red than usual or they have an unusual odor, go ahead and schedule an appointment with their veterinarian, as this could be a sign that they have an ear infection.
A grooming item that is easy for many pet parents to overlook is brushing teeth. Brushing your cat’s teeth a few times a week can help lower their chances of developing periodontal disease, plus it can help keep their breath smelling fresh.
Exercise
The Khao Manee is a very playful cat that loves climbing and exploring. Give your Khao Manee places to climb and perch like cat trees or towers, and provide plenty of fun toys like feather wands, balls with bells, fuzzy mice, and puzzle toys. Khao Manees are reported to enjoy playing fetch. A cat wheel would be a very welcomed addition to any home with a Khao Manee.
Care
One of the most critical elements when it comes to caring for your Khao Manee is their diet. All cats should be given age-appropriate food, which will change as they get older. Don’t forget to look at the recommended serving size per meal. If you believe that the portion sizes are too large or too small, meet with your veterinarian to discuss what an ideal meal size looks like for your cat.
The amount of meals you feed your friend each day is also influential. While some cats may have enough self-control to graze on their food whenever they please, others may overeat. The easiest way to regulate your pal’s diet is to separate their daily food amount into a couple of meals throughout the day.
Of course, even cats love a special treat, but they should be given in moderation, just like any other goodies. Too many treats are nearly a guarantee that your cat will be packing on some extra pounds.
In order to help keep your cat in good shape, exercise is the perfect solution. Though some cats are naturally active just by themselves or whenever they play with their other four-legged family members, other felines may need a little coaxing. A great place to start is providing your cat with plenty of interactive toys, a scratching post, and a cat tower. You can also encourage your cat to be active by playing with them multiple times per day.
Khao Manee cats are quite active and energetic, so giving them an outlet for their energy is necessary. Otherwise, you will have a bored cat on your hands. Thankfully, because cats of this breed are also quite intelligent, they can also be taught various tricks and commands. This is an ideal way to keep them busy both physically and mentally.
Appearance
The Khao Manee is a small cat with a slender build and large, perky ears. Its lithe, athletic body with medium boning is moderate in all ways—never bulky or extreme. The nose is of medium length, which is better suited to the hot weather of Thailand than a short or snub nose.
Its coat is short, smooth, fine, and slightly “open” with a sparse to moderate undercoat. And, as its nickname notes, it usually has jewel-colored eyes, such as blue, gold, or green. Odd-eyed Khao Manees will have one of each, which is thought to be lucky.
Diet and Nutrition
Feed your Khao Manee measured meals at regular times (kittens usually need three to four meals a day, but adults generally eat twice a day—morning and evening). Scheduled mealtimes help to prevent unwanted weight gain, which can happen if you leave food out all the time (called free feeding).
Cats of any breed that are overweight or obese can develop weight-related health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Talk to your veterinarian or breeder for advice about the best type of food to feed your Khao Manee.