Korat vs African Serval - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The African Serval is a wild cat that hails from Africa. You’ll see them on Africa’s savannas where there is tall grass and reeds, preferably near water.

If you want to own a serval cat, you have to check whether you require licenses and permits as they are particularly difficult to rehome once you have owned one. Humans have kept them since ancient times, but they are not domesticated cats as such.

Breeding servals arrived in the United States many decades ago. Breeders have also crossed serval cats with domestic cats to produce hybrids, one of which is the Savannah cat.

The Korat cat is a breed of domestic cat. He is a natural breed and originates from Phimai in Thailand.

It is thought that the cat is named after its province of origin – Nakhon Ratchasima Province which is actually called Korat by the Thai people.

The cat is also known as the ‘Good Luck’ cat. The cats first appeared in Britain under the name Blue Siamese and later in the United States in the 1950s.

It was in 1959 that a cattery started with breeding and in 1966 the Korat was accepted into championship status.

The Serval is a medium to large-sized cat that stands at between 54–62 cm in height and weighs in the region of 9–18 kg.

Some people think its a cat that looks similar to a Cheetah and this is because it also has a small head. It is known for its large ears which are black at the back with a large white dot. The attractively patterned coat is both spotted and striped with black against a golden/tawny shade.

These wild cats make a number of different noises - high pitched cries to growls, spitting sounds and purring. Another well-known feature with the cat is its particularly long legs. The tail has some black rings and it is black-tipped. The eyes of the Serval are a brown/greeny color.

The Serval cats will only come together for mating and then they resume their solitary lives. Gestation lasts for roughly 73 days after which up to 6 kittens can be born. In captivity, a Serval can live to be about 20 years of age.

Temperament:

The Serval is an active cat night and day. They are solitary animals not known for strong social interactions with humans but they can be playful with the few humans he gets to know.

People need to always know that owning a wild pet like this comes with risks. Not only that, a Serval wants to mark its territory and while you may provide a litter box, it's not to say he will use it.

They are able to bond with humans to some extent, more so if they were hand-fed from early on. They bond with one person and can form an affectionate relationship with that one person.

The Korat is a short-haired, single coated cat breed that has a small to medium build. He stands at about 25 – 30cm in height.

He weighs about 3 to 5kg. He is known for his large, beautiful green eyes. It’s a beautiful blue-grey cat with unusual coloring - a shimmering silver-tipped blue that the Thai people refer to as ‘rain-cloud grey’.

With his silver-tipped blue-grey coat and large green eyes, this is indeed a beautiful cat.

Temperament:

The Korat is a friendly cat and can get along well with children who have been taught to be kind to animals and to respect them.

They’re also cats that like to make friends with other pets in the family. They also enjoy the companionship of their human family. They’re intelligent cats too and you won’t have trouble teaching him a trick or two.

He doesn’t want to be left alone and if you work full-day, it would be best to get such a cat another cat companion. He isn’t a noisy cat but fairly quiet, enjoying a quiet environment.

The African Serval is a wild animal and should be left in the wild.

However, if you do decide to bring one into your home as a pet, they aren’t recommended for homes with young children or for a first-time pet owner.

Their play is rough and they like to use their teeth and claws during play. If the child gets hurt, then in typical unfair human fashion, the Serval is the one who suffers. They are capable of making good pets though but it is not recommended.

Think carefully before you take a cat into your life. If you are hardly ever at home, some cat breeds are very social, and this quiet, solitary lifestyle will be detrimental to their health.

If you aren’t willing to learn what the nature of a cat is, your cat will be unhappy and you’ll spend a lot on vet’s fees as his immune system will be compromised.

It would be most unkind to take a Korat cat into your home and not understand something of its behavior. A cat such as the Korat thrives on plenty of love and attention.

Make sure that before you take in a Serval as a pet you have access to a good veterinarian who is experienced in helping exotic pets.

Also, the African Serval, when domesticated, will need the same cat vaccines that you would give your regular kitten.

The Korat is generally healthy but even so, there are always one or two cat ailments that need to be sorted out.

If your Korat cat succumbs to any one of the common cat illness there are, get veterinary help. These illnesses can be cancer, feline leukemia virus, diabetes and heartworm among others.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) can be found in male and female cats, often occurring in cats that are overweight or stressed.

Your cat will strain to urinate, may vomit, will have a lack of appetite, lick around the urinary area, and be most miserable. The problem is regarded as an emergency and you need to get your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

Diet:

The Serval is a wild cat so in the wilds it eats prey such as frogs, birds and reptiles. They are known for leaping high into the air to catch prey but they will also burrow into holes to get prey out.

You should try to provide your Serval pet with some whole prey. Do research on the food of Servals because you will need to offer your wild pet a feline supplement. There are also formulated pelleted food, but this shouldn’t form the bulk of his food but rather be a supplement to his meats. Choose a variety of meats such as chicken, mice, turkey, beef, duck as well as rabbits and birds.

Space:

If you keep a serval, it is imperative that it has large outdoor areas to roam in. They’re nocturnal animals, so they become more active at night. They’re used to living near streams in the wild so some kind of pool will be required for him, possibly even a fish pond where he can catch his own fish.

The Korat’s short single coat requires little grooming. You can brush it once a week to remove shed hairs.

Trim the nails when they become too long.

Check your cat's eyes and make sure they’re still bright and clear.

Check the ears when you brush your cat and look out for signs of redness which could indicate an infection. Pet groomers or your vet can show you how to groom your cat or you can take your pet to the pet groomers.

Provide your cat with a litter box and keep it spotlessly clean. Remove the feces every single day. The litter will also need to be changed periodically.

Have your cat neutered or spayed.

Vaccinate against the major cat illness.

A good diet is essential for good health, and in fact, a cat’s food needs to be adapted to the different seasons of a cat’s life.

Cats are carnivores and they require nutrients from animal products. They need a mix of vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, and amino acids.

There are excellent commercial cat foods on the market, whether it be dry food, semi-moist food or wet food. These foods have been made to give your cat the right balance of nutrients.

In choosing cat food, it is important to consider your pet’s age and energy levels and it is also important to read the ingredients list. Look for foods in which meat is at the top of the ingredients list.