10.08.2022

Korat vs Russian Blue cat—distinguish between the breeds the easy way!

From a distance, Korats and Russian Blues look like facsimile copies. They have similar silver shade, green eyes, and body measurements. If you’re baffled by the Korat vs Russian Blue cat differences and similarities, you must train your eyes to catch the physical features unique to each breed.

We present a side-by-side analysis of Russian Blues and Korats in terms of their:

1. Origin
2. Physical traits
3. Temperament and care requirements
4. Hypoallergenic status

We’ll also look into both breeds’ general longevity and health status to explain how meat-based cat food products meet their essential dietary needs.

Korat cat vs Russian Blue cat—their distinct origins

Silver cats are found in all parts of the world, but every breed has a unique background. Korats and Russian Blues are ancient blue breeds mentioned in the folklore of their origin countries—Thailand and Russia.

The Korat—an unchanged breed from Thailand

Korats are relatively rare and lesser-known cats from Thailand who look the same as they did centuries ago! The most recognised cat breeds from Thailand include Siamese and Wichien Maat. But unlike Korats, these cats have changed drastically over time as they were bred with multiple other breeds in Europe and America.

The Korat’s origin can be traced back to the 14th century. This breed was vaguely mentioned in Tamra Maeo, an illustrative Thai book of cat poems from 1350 CE. Korats used to be jungle-dwelling cats, but the locals began domesticating them as they believed these felines brought good luck, plentiful harvest, and fertility to the community.

Korats were imported to the UK in the 1890s and were advertised as “Blue Siamese” for cat shows. Event judges rejected the nomenclature because Korats didn’t look “oriental enough”, so these cats were never bred further. That’s one of the reasons why Korats are not easily available in the UK. Only a handful of breeders offer them, making Korats one of the most expensive cat breeds!

Writing my insta bio? Go with: Jungle child. Slayer of farm critters. Ally of nice hoomans. Bringer of massive luck.

Source: Liona Toussaint

The Russian Blue—czars’ favourite

Not much is known about the early history of Russian Blues except that the czars favoured them for warding off bad omens and bringing good fortune and health to their empires. Those were the kind of superstitions prevalent around blue cats back in the days!

Russian Blues were spotted by UK sailors visiting Archangel Isles in Russia in the 1860s. They brought these shy kitties home after being mesmerised by their dazzling coats and winning personalities. Russian Blues were eventually introduced during cat shows, where they competed with other blue breeds like the British Shorthair.

By 1912, Russian Blues were so popular that they had to be designated as a separate breed for all further competitions! This breed has since been actively bred in England and Scandinavia. Unlike Korats, they are easily available in the UK, although purebreds of both breeds are equally expensive.

Call me a homebody, but life is best lived slowed down.

Source: John Brighenti

Physical differences between Korat and Russian Blue cats

Korats and Russian Blues have green eyes and bluish-grey coats with silver tips. They also don’t differ much in size:

• Height—20 to 25 cm
• Head-to-tail length—38 to 46 cm

Despite their similarities, you can quickly tell these breeds apart. Check out how to do it in the table below:

Difference between Russian Blue and Korat kittens

Korat and Russian Blue kittens look almost the same till they fully develop their adult features. The only difference would be the rate at which they get their adult eye colour. Korat kittens are born with amber or golden-green eyes. Since they mature slowly, they need up to four years to get their final eye colour, usually a bright peridot green.

Russian Blue kittens start with copper or yellow eyes that change into an emerald shade within four to six months.

Can you spot my face shape, hooman? I heart you so much my face looks like one.

Source: Jon Ross

Korat vs Russian Blue cat—personality differences

Korat and Russian Blue cats have a regal demeanour and are loyal companions, but their overall personalities are vastly different. The following table summarises the distinct aspects of their temperament:

Stop calling me shy, hooman. I need to assess every new creature before I call them a friend.

Source: Marko Ganzaro

Russian Blue cats vs Korat cats—which one to get?

Russian Blues are suitable companions for people living in apartments. These cats generally exhibit no separation anxiety, so they're fantastic for people living alone or being absent often. Russian Blues will be content when left alone indoors for a couple of hours as long as you provide them access to cat food, water, and engaging toys like cat towers and catnip chews. The breed also does well in large households with toddlers or older kids.

Korats are ideal for homes with open spaces like farms and indoor gardens. They suffer from separation anxiety, so it’s best to raise them in large families or with other pets. If you’re keeping them indoors, be mindful of their daily engagement needs and ensure they stay occupied with interactive cat toys, puzzle games, scratch posts, etc. Korats are sensitive to loud noises, so a household with toddlers may not be the best environment for them.

A bland lifestyle is not for Korats, hooman—I cannot deal with these long spells of nothingness.

Source: Liona Toussaint

Who is hypoallergenic—Korat or Russian Blue cat?

If you or a family member suffers from cat allergies, you must consider the breed's hypoallergenic status before adopting a kitty.

The major cat allergen for humans Fel d 1—a uteroglobin protein is present in the fur, dead skin, saliva, urine, poo, and sweat of all cats. While no cat is hypoallergenic, some produce less Fel d 1 than others.

Russian Blues—like Siberian, Burmese, and Siamese cats—are suitable for allergy sufferers because they secrete a negligible amount Fel d 1. Mixed-breed Russian Blues produce regular amounts of the protein, so they won’t be appropriate for households with allergic people.

Korats also exude Fel d 1 like regular cats, but many allergy sufferers experience decreased sensitivity to this breed compared to other non-hypoallergenic breeds like Maine Coons and Persian cats. Keep in mind that people with severe cat allergies will react to any feline.

Who is healthier—a Russian Blue or a Korat?

Russian Blues and Korats are typically healthy breeds, but they may suffer from the following breed-specific ailments as they age:

The average lifespan of both breeds varies. Russian Blues tend to live for 15 to 20 years, while it’s only 10 to 15 years for Korats. The relatively poor longevity in Korats is often attributed to rapid weight loss and the onset of multiple feline diseases during old age, which an improper diet can further aggravate.

Korats have strong muscles and bones with little body fat, so they need a high-protein diet to maintain a stable weight in their senior years. Considering their stomach sensitivity, they can live a long and healthy life if they have hypoallergenic protein-rich meals that keep their tummies calm.

Keep in mind that Russian Blues also need a high-protein diet to stay fit in the long run and prevent skeletal degradation that causes problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia. Based on the nutrient quotient of their natural diet, Russian Blues and Korats should have:

1. More than 50% animal protein
2. Up to 20% animal fat
3. Under 3% carbs

Avoid feeding them dry food products as they usually contain over 30% carbs and increase the risk of developing diabetes, bladder stones, and heart diseases. Canned food is good for them, but you should pay attention to the protein source.

Chubby’s not cute! Weight gain increases the risk of several health problems for Korats and Russian Blues.

Source: laura limsenkhe

Whole meat—the best protein source for kitties

Many common feline diseases occur because of insufficient or poor-quality cat food. Ideally, any kitty should have whole meat as their primary protein source because it complements their carnivore-type gastrointestinal tract and metabolism. Whole meat delivers all the essential micronutrients, including taurine, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Regular supermarket cat food products are often full of filler proteins, such as:

• Processed meat derivatives (like bone and chicken meals)
• Vegan proteins (extracted from cheap ingredients like corn, peas, nuts, wild rice, etc.)
• Lab-synthesised proteins

There are many ways to include whole meat in your kitty’s diet, including:

1. Making home-cooked meals—Cooking meat-based, unseasoned soups, broths, and gravies for your kitty is a decent way to control what they eat, but the process is time-consuming. You should also be careful not to add harmful ingredients to their food, which include onions, green potatoes and tomatoes, garlic, and wild mushrooms
2. Feeding raw meat—Uncooked meat may sound like an excellent option for carnivores, but vets don’t recommend it because of the high risk of parasitic contamination and food poisoning
3. Buying quality wet food—Getting quality wet food is the most convenient way to add whole meat to your kitty’s diet. It will satisfy your kitty’s natural cravings, and the high moisture content will keep kidney and urinary tract problems at bay. Wet food can also be plagued with fillers, so check the label before buying any product

Untamed—the most nutritious diet for Korats and Russian Blues

If you’re looking for a product you can trust, get Untamed—a vet-designed wet cat food made with 60%–63% human-grade meat. You can go for our:

1. Complete gravy food—for kitties eating wet food every day
2. Complementary jelly food—for filling nutritional gaps caused by kibble diets

Untamed meals are free from dodgy stuff like:

• Animal derivatives
• Plant proteins
• Grains
• Sugar
• Artificial taste enhancers

Love at first sniff—our whole meat meals are irresistible to kitties!

Image (c) Untamed

We keep all known feline allergens out of our recipes, so they’re perfect for cats with stomach sensitivities or food allergies. Our menu includes chicken breast and liver, tuna, duck, salmon, mackerel, sardines, ham, and shrimp.

Why choose Untamed

Our food works well for Korats and Russian Blues because of its:

1. Optimal protein content—Untamed products have twice the amount of protein you find in average cat food. They support:
1. Bone density
2. Muscle development and maintenance
2. Nutrient-dense formulas—We provide all essential amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals kitties need to:
1. Maintain coat and skin health
2. Regulate organ functions
3. Soft texture—We steam our ingredients to increase their digestibility. It works great for sick kitties, growing kittens, and seniors with fragile tummies
4. Winning taste—Even the healthiest cat food is worthless if cats reject it. That’s why we have our delicacies tested by finicky eaters

Want to try us out? Take our short TRY NOW quiz and order a tailor-made taster pack!

No mystery blobs or indeterminable gravies—with Untamed, what you see is what you get. 

Image (c) Untamed

Untamed promotes optimum feline health at every life stage

We have seen cat parents stressing over switching products—from kitten food to adult food to senior food—but It doesn’t have to be that way!

Our formulas work for all cats, irrespective of breed or life stage. All you have to mind is how much and how often your furry friend eats.

If you have a weaned-off kitten, they will naturally need more Untamed food fed in small portions throughout the day to help with their energy expenditure and growth requirements. Adult cats have lower caloric needs, so they’ll be okay with fewer meals. The best part is that our grain-free dishes help kitties stay lean effortlessly while preventing common feline illnesses like diabetes.

Take a look at what our regular subscribers say about Untamed:

Smart Untamed kitties don’t hunt—good food comes to them!

Image (c) Untamed

Untamed trial pack—the first step to a good life for your kitty!

Change the way you buy cat food with Untamed. We offer a convenient shopping experience. You can use our monthly cat food subscription to get cans delivered to your doorstep with no extra shipping charge. Modify or cancel an order anytime!

Start with an Untamed trial box to see how our meals appeal to your kitty:

1. Take our TRY NOW quiz
2. Choose the products
3. Place the order

We are an environmentally-friendly brand and use 100% recyclable packaging. Our ethical considerations also apply to our cooperators—our meat comes from cruelty-free farmers and seafood from dolphin-safe sellers.