Khao Manee

The Khao Manee is an ancient white cat breed originating in Thailand, famous for its luminous jewel-like eyes and radiant coat.

Centuries of folklore link this feline to royal Thai households. A fourteenth-century illustrated treatise titled Tamra Maew, or The Cat-Book Poems, celebrated the white variety under the name Khao Plort, promising health and rank to owners. The modern title Khao Manee translates into English as White Gem. Colleen Freymouth imported the first pair from Bangkok to the United States in 1999, founding the North American lineage. The International Cat Association registered the breed in 2009 and granted Advanced New Breed status in 2013, before promoting it to full championship in 2018. The Cat Fanciers' Association accepted the breed into the Miscellaneous Class in 2018.

Adult males weigh 3.6-5 kg (8-11 lb), showing a lithe, muscular structure well adapted to tropical conditions. The fur is pure white, short, smooth, and fine-textured with a sparse undercoat. Large almond eyes gleam in shades of brilliant blue, yellow, amber, or green, with odd-eyed combinations featuring one blue eye and one gold or green eye especially prized. Standards depict a communicative, outgoing temperament full of curious energy. Khao Manees greet household visitors readily, participate actively in games of fetch, and demand daily interaction from family members.

Grooming requirements remain simple due to the short, close-lying coat. Brushing once a week with a soft bristle brush removes debris and keeps the white coat glistening. Because white cats lack pigment in the skin, protective measures against sun exposure on the ears and nose help prevent solar dermatitis. Congenital sensorineural deafness associated with the dominant white gene occurs in the breed, primarily affecting blue-eyed specimens in one or both ears. Other health conditions reported include dental tartar accumulation and chronic kidney disease.