The 13 Asian Cat Breeds
1. Khao Mane
These Thai cats are completely white and have short coats that don’t shed much. Their eyes are bright and big, and their ears are erect. The Khao Manee are rare cats that aren’t found in the average household throughout the world. Their muscular build and intelligence combined with their high activity levels and curiosity can mean that they get in trouble at home sometimes, due to ruining furniture or climbing on things that they shouldn’t.
2. Korat
This striking cat breed has clear emerald-colored eyes. Their gray-blue coat looks luxurious and feels silky, and they don’t shed much, which makes grooming them a pleasure. The Korat is known as a living good-luck charm and is regarded with great value and reverence in the Asian culture. Hailing from Thailand, these cats can weigh as much as 10 pounds when fully grown, so they’re perfectly sized to curl in the laps of their human family members.
3. Japanese Bobtail
What’s unique about these cats is that their eyes can be a wide variety of different colors, including green, hazel, orange, yellow, copper, and gold. No matter the color, their eyes are always bright and alert while their behavior is laidback and patient. However, they are quite active, so they expect interaction and engagement regularly throughout the day. The Japanese Bobtail is extremely intelligent and affectionate, making them a great addition to any family household.
4. Ceylon
This cat breed originated from the Sri Lanka area and is not well known around the world. In fact, they are so rare that the only known cats live in Italy and France. Their heads seem a little too small for their long bodies. But their luxurious feel makes up for their odd look. The Ceylon is intelligent, sweet-natured, and easy-going, which makes them the perfect companion for busy family households. The problem is finding one to adopt!
5. The Korn Ja
This is another Sian cat breed that is thought of as a good luck charm. They’re extremely active, so they don’t do well in apartment settings, as they will constantly look for a way to get outside. They can live to be 16 years old, and they love nothing more than to spend their time with a human companion. They’re interactive when visitors show up, and they can put up with teasing and aggressive play when dealing with kids too.
6. The Singapura
The Singapura is one of the smallest cats on this list, yet they are healthy and spunky. They love to climb, spend time with family members, and play with interactive toys. They have a high energy and prey drive, but they aren’t that talkative. These cats are extremely affectionate toward their family members and don’t mind living with other animals if they have their own designated place to snuggle up when they want to rest.
7. The Dragon Li
The Dragon Li’s are popular companions in China and are referred to there as Fox Flower Cats. There is no clear background to point to, but they are believed to be an ancient breed. It is said that they were once wild but domesticated themselves into human civilization, which is when they were intentionally bred as household pets. They are muscular, playful, attentive, and patient cats that can live in both apartment and house settings.
8. The Siamese
Siamese cats are extremely intelligent, affectionate, and beautiful. This breed has luxurious fur and piercing eyes that command attention. You wouldn’t know just by looking that their coat color is the result of a gene mutation! They have pointy ears and a sleek disposition makes them seem like they are always on the hunt or demanding respect. They are always on the lookout for attention, whether from a human family member or an animal companion.
9. The Birman
This long-haired cat is typically multicolored, with a large and muscled body. They have blue eyes and a lazy look that will make you want to cuddle up with them. These playful cats are curious and will spend hours playing with a paper bag or a cardboard box. Their athleticism is impressive but tends to result in knocked-over table decorations and couch pillows. They need to be combed or brushed daily to keep their coat smooth and soft.
10. The Bengal
These domesticated cats just look wild, but they are tame at heart and love to show affection to their family members, both human and animal. It isn’t uncommon to see one of these cats snuggled up with a dog or playing with kids. They get quite docile when the energy is low in the household, it’s stormy outside, or the sun has set.
11. The Suphalak
The Suphalak is a rare Asian breed typically of a chocolate color. Some feature reddish hues, which seem to be the more sought-after coat type. Even so, these cats are not common household pets anywhere in the world today, even in Thailand, where they hailed from. These affectionate cats will happily spend their days following human family members around the house. They’ll participate in any activities that they are invited to, and they enjoy communicating with their playful sounding meows.
12. The Burmese
These are not idle cats by any means. Their tendency to jump and climb means that they’ll explore every inch of their owner’s furniture and hardware, including the kitchen cabinets. They have a great deal of energy and they love to play, so interactive toys and other animal companions are essential if owners expect them to thrive in their environment.
13. The Thai Lilac
This breed is considered a natural cat, meaning that they developed themselves without intervention from humans. They’re extremely sociable and affectionate, making them a perfect companion for busy family households that include kids and/or other animals. They don’t get bored easily, and they don’t mind being left alone at home for a few hours at a time.
Final Thoughts
Many things can be said about cats, but boring isn’t one of them. All the cats on our list today are fun-loving, friendly, and entertaining, to say the least. Any one of them would fit in well with families of many different varieties. Do you have any favorite Asian cat breeds? If so, why? Share your thoughts with us by commenting below.
Featured Image Credit: Jane Koshchina, Shutterstock
