Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Key Differences Explained

Written by Kyle Glatz
Updated: October 4, 2023
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Gray cats are beautiful creatures that have fur that can make them seem blue or even silvery. Although some cat breeds that appear gray may look alike, they usually have some differences in terms of their body shape, ears, or origin. Today, we’re going to look at the Korat vs Russian Blue cat and show you how they are unique.

By the time we’re done here, you’ll know how to tell these cats apart by their body as well as the place from which they come.

Comparing a Korat and a Russian Blue Cat

The major differences exist in their fur and personality.
KoratRussian Blue Cat
SizeWeight: 6-10 pounds
Height: 9-13 inches
Length: 15-18 inches
Weight: 7-12 pounds
Height: 8-10 inches tall
Length: 14-18 inches from nose to tail
Head Shape– Heart-shaped– Wedge-shaped
Ears– Wide base and a rounded top– Large, more pointy ears
Eye Color– Green– Emerald green
Body Morphology– Semi-cobby body– Long, slender body type
Place of Origin– Thailand– Russia
Fur Type– Single coat of fur
– Short, fine fur
– Blue-gray fur
– Light blue fur turns dark and then back into a silver tip  
– Two layers of fur known as a double coat
– Guard hairs that end in silvery tips
– Fur is short and thick
– Blue-gray-black fur coat that results in a bluish color for which it is known
Lifespan– 10-15 years– 15-20 years

The Key Differences Between a Korat vs Russian Blue Cat

Russian Blue laying in the sheets

The Russian Blue is known for its blue-grey fur and alert expression.

©iStock.com/Liudmila Anufrieva

The greatest differences between a Korat and a Russian Blue cat include their head shape, fur type, and place of origin. The Korat has a heart-shaped head, originated in Thailand, and has a single coat of short, fine fur that is light blue at the root and darker as it grows before ending in a silvery tip. The Russian blue cat has a wedge-shaped head, originated in Russia, and has a double coat of fur with silvery guard hairs.

These are some of the most pronounced and easily identifiable features of these cat breeds. They are hardly the only way to tell them apart, though. Let’s go in greater depth about these creatures and learn how to tell them apart with greater ease.  

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Size

The Korat is taller than the Russian Blue cat, but they have many variances in their size. The Korat weighs up to 10 pounds, measures up to 13 inches tall, and grows about 18 inches long at its utmost.

The Russian Blue cat weighs between 7 and 12 pounds, grows 10 inches tall, and has an overall length of 14-18 inches.

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Head Shape

russian blue hypoallergenic cats

The Russian Blue cat has a wedge-shaped head.

©iStock.com/Jasper Chamber

A simple way to tell these cats apart is by their head shape. The Korat has a heart-shaped head, giving it a plush, loving look unless it’s annoyed. The Russian Blue cat has a wedge-shaped head, so it has a more severe look to it.

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Ears

These cats also have differently shaped ears, and that can help to distinguish them. For example, the Korat has ears with a wide base and a rounded top. Generally speaking, the Russian Blue cat has longer ears that are pointier at the end. Although this may not be an obvious way to tell a difference between the two creatures, it’s helpful.

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Eye Color

Both these cats have noticeable eyes when they are purebred. The Russian Blue Cat is known for its beautiful and intense emerald, green eyes. The Korat can also have green eyes, but they can be darker green with a light green fringe, too. The Korat is well-known for being one of the cats with the meanest faces, and their eyes contribute to that look.

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Body Morphology

The Korat has a semi-cobby body, so it’s a somewhat compact cat with a thick body and long legs. The Russian Blue cat has been called “semi-foreign.” That means the cat is somewhere between the long breeds like the Siamese, a popular breeding choice for this cat, and a compact cat.  

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Place of Origin

As the name suggests, the Russian Blue cat comes from Russia. The Korat comes from Thailand. In that nation, the Korat is known as a cat that brings good luck, and it is often given as a gift rather than sold.  

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Fur Type

The fur of the Korat and Russian Blue is the biggest point of divergence between the cats. The Korat has a single coat of fur, but the Russian Blue cat has a double coat of fur. Aside from that major difference, the cats still have major differences in their fur.

For example, the Russian Blue cat has short and thick fur. Their blue-gray-black fur results in overall bluish color. Moreover, the guard hairs on one layer end in silvery tips, so this cat can look like it’s shimmering in the right light.

The Korat has a single coat of fur that is described as short and fine. The fur is light at the root, darkens throughout the length of the hair, and then ends in a silver tip.

Although both cats have gray hair overall, the differences between them are apparent when you look closely or touch the cats.  

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Lifespan

Rarest Cats - The Korat Cat

The Korat has a lifespan of up to 15 years.

©Nynke van Holten/Shutterstock.com

The Korat cat has typical longevity for a cat, living between 10 and 15 years. The Russian Blue cat lives between 15 and 20 years on average, a very long, wonderful life as a nice partner.

Korat vs Russian Blue Cat: Personality

These animals are both gorgeous gray cats, but they have some distinctions between them. Aside from the morphological elements that we have discussed throughout this article, these cats both differ in personality.

The Korat is known for being a playful animal that makes a good partner for people that like active cats. Meanwhile, the Russian Blue cat is known for being a very well-behaved creature that prefers calmness to calamity.

What Are Some Other Gray Cats?

There’s quite a variety of cats that are typically gray. the Russian Blue and the Korat can cost $500 – $1000 from a breeder. If that is a bit much for your budget, you might consider one of the following, but a few of them are even more expensive! You can find out more about the following types of gray cats by clicking on the provided links:

Scottish Fold Cat – very expensive, rare, but popular

Persian – high maintenance, but popular

Chartreaux – national cat of France; rare and expensive

Burmese – a shorthair cat

Devon Rex – from Devonshire in England

Oriental – rare and very smart

Norwegian Forest Cat – large and very independent.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/TAO EDGE


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About the Author

Kyle Glatz is a writer at A-Z-Animals where his primary focus is on geography and mammals. Kyle has been writing for researching and writing about animals and numerous other topics for 10 years, and he holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Education from Rowan University. A resident of New Jersey, Kyle enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games.

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