The Khao Mani is a true treasure that has long been considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Thai palaces. Its name translates as “white diamond” and this fully corresponds to its appearance: pure-white coat, piercing gaze and, most often, charming multicolored eyes.
Cats kao-mani one of the oldest breeds, dating back to the times of the Siamese royal dynasties. They lived exclusively in palaces, were surrounded by legends and strictly guarded. In ancient manuscripts there are mentions of these cats as “white ghosts of good luck”, bringing prosperity to their master. For a long time, the breed remained little known outside Thailand until it was discovered in the early XXI century.
Appearance
The Koa Mani cat is a graceful, medium-sized creature with a sturdy body and harmonious build. Adult cats weigh from 2.5 to 5 kg. Their coat is short, very soft to the touch, without undercoat, exclusively white in color. It is the white color is a mandatory standard of the breed, and any spots are considered a disadvantage. Kao-mani’s eyes deserve special attention – they can be blue, golden or multicolored (one eye is blue, the other is yellow or green). It is this “heterochromia” that is considered the rarest and most expensive.
Kao-mani character and behavior
This is an active, playful and very contactable cat. It is genuinely attached to a person, follows the owner from room to room and loves to be the center of attention. This breed requires a lot of socialization, so it is perfect for families where someone is always home. The Koa Mani is an intelligent little breed that can open doors, look for toys and even “talk” to its owner with its sweet, sonorous voice.
Khao-mani Grooming
At first glance, the short white coat of the Kao-mani seems to need no special care. But this is only an illusion. In fact, grooming of this breed is a real art of preserving the perfect snow-white look. The white color of the coat is very “demanding” – every spot, dust or darkening is visible on it. That’s why regular combing with a soft brush brings back the shine and cleanliness of the coat. Groomers also recommend wiping the coat once every few weeks with special wipes for light-colored breeds – they keep the shine without the need for water procedures.
It is also important to bathe this breed correctly. The koa mani cat, like all cats, is not fond of water, so grooming in a salon is the best option. Here they use special shampoos for white fur, which do not yellow and do not dry the skin. It is ideal if the groomer supplements the care with a soft conditioner – it keeps the coat silky, prevents it from clumping and keeps the color bright.
Pay special attention to the eyes. Koa Mani often have light or multicolored eyes, so they are prone to a little discharge. They need to be gently cleaned daily to avoid marks on the white coat. Groomers know how to do this quickly and without stress for the animal, using special products that do not irritate the mucosa.
Unlike cats with a thick undercoat, Kao-mani does not molt excessively, but it is important for her to keep her skin and coat in perfect condition so that the white velvet does not lose its charm. And it is in the salon that a specialist will notice even the slightest changes – dryness, flaking, irritation – and advise the owner how to proceed.
