Last Updated: 4 months ago

Comparing a Korat and a Russian blue cat can be challenging.

Like, how can you tell which is which?

These breeds of cats look similar, so it isn’t surprising why one is mistaken for the other.

What are the distinguishing characteristics that you need to know precisely to know what you are getting?

Cats Origin

The Russian Blue Cat

gorgeous Russian Blue sitting on a chair

As its name implies, the Russian Blue cat originates from Russia.

Although the exact origin and history of Russian Blue cats are not known, it is said that Russian Blue Cats were transported by ship from Russia’s Archangel Island, or Arkhangelsk.

These cats were said to be favorites among royalty in Russia.

They were then exported to many parts of Europe and were one of the first cats to participate in cat shows in England in the late 1800s.

The Korat

Korat cat meowing

The Korat is an ancient breed and probably the purest breed known today.

These were first recorded during Thailand’s Ayudhya period (1350–1767).

Thai people believed and continue to believe that Korats bring good luck. For this reason, Korats are usually passed around as gifts to many people in Thailand.

Korats were probably first introduced in England in the late 19th century because many cats back then were sold as “blue Siamese cats”.

These were most likely Korats that were mistaken for Siamese cats then.

Korat vs Russian Blue Physical Characteristics

korat vs russian blue comparison

The color “blue” in animals describes a watered-down version of the color black. So before you get carried away by the term blue, it would be appropriate to temper expectations and think of blue as a color closer to gray.

Korats and Russian blues have a “blue coat” and look almost the same. It is, therefore, not surprising if one is mistaken for the other.

Both have some distinguishing features, though. Their temperaments are also quite different. This chart summarizes the main differences between the two breeds.

FeaturesKorat Russian Blue
Head Shapeheart-shaped headwedge-shaped or triangular
Body Structureheavyregular-sized and muscular
Fur Coatsingle coatdouble coat fur
Personalityplayfulwell-behaved
Eye Colorperidot greenemerald green

Head Shape

One way to distinguish a Korat from a Russian Blue is to look at the shape of its head. 

A Korat will have a distinct heart-shaped head that can be easily seen from the top of the front.

The Russian Blue cat’s head is more wedge-shaped or triangular-shaped, with the broadest area found at the forehead.

Body Structure

Both the Korat and the Russian Blue are medium-sized cats. The average weight of a Korat is anywhere between 6 and 10 pounds, while a Russian Blue’s average weight is anywhere between 7 and 15 pounds.

Russian blue cats have muscular bodies, compared to Korats, which may explain why they are heavier than the Korat.

Fur Coat

Korat cat licking his mouth

Both cats are short-haired. However, the Russian blue cat’s coat is thicker than Korat’s since it has a double coat and a pretty dense undercoat.

The Korat, on the other hand, has a single coat and a very thin undercoat. The Korat is said to have one of the most beautiful coats among cats. The Korat also has silver-grey coats similar to the color of gunmetal.

The Russian blue cat has an even coat color that is also a bit on the silver side due to the silver-tipped guard hairs that they have. Their plush coats make them ideal for countries with cold climates.

Personality

The Korat cat is a highly active, playful cat that loves to interact. It doesn’t fancy alone time much compared to the Russian Blue, a more reserved, well-behaved cat.

Russian blues do not mind spending time alone, making them perfect for humans who have day jobs and are seldomly at home.

Both cats are brilliant and easily trained. The Russian blue cats, however, tend to be more sensitive. They like having clean surroundings, which extends to even their litter box.

Russian blues take time to adapt to new surroundings and new pets, unlike Korats, which can easily blend into any contemporary home.

Eye Color

The color of Russian blue cats is more of a dark, beautiful emerald green shade.

Korats have a lighter, yellowish-green eye color.

Health and Grooming

Russian blue cat lying on the bed

Both the Korat and the Russian blue cat don’t require much grooming since they are short-haired cats.

That said, both cats require regular maintenance like ear cleaning and toothbrushing to stay healthy.

Although both are sturdy breeds, the Korat is prone to a genetic disease called gangliosidosis. This is a fatal disease that can appear at age 2–3 months and cause death in a year.

Wrap-Up

Although the Korat and Russian blue cats may share many physical qualities, they have a bit of difference that makes one distinct from the other.

The stark difference, though, lies in their personalities.

Although Russian blue cats do not seek attention as much as Korats, they still deserve all the love and attention from their hooman families.

That is, what has to be remembered when welcoming them.

Resources:

close-up shot of a Korat cat
Andreea Juganaru
Andreea Juganaru

Andreea is a very passionate content creator and her purpose is to provide you with the most interesting articles, while constantly discovering new facts. She’s been freelance writing for the past five years and has created numerous articles and educational materials while managing her own business.