The Suphalak cat is a rare natural cat breed, developing without the need for human intervention. These felines are confident, active and loyal. The Suphalak cat also goes by the name Thong Daeng in its native Thailand, which means “copper colored.” While they may resemble other chocolate brown cat breeds, the Suphalak cat has been around for many centuries.
With their lively personalities, Suphalak cats practically beg for attention and hate empty laps. An active household is always the best household for a Suphalak. They love attention and interactive play, so the Suphalak cat is perfect if you’re looking for a curious cat to keep you company.
When considering a Suphalak cat, it’s advisable to prioritize adopting from rescue organizations or shelters to provide a loving home to a cat in need. However, if you decide to purchase a Suphalak kitten, it’s crucial to choose a reputable breeder. Conduct thorough research to ensure that the breeder follows ethical practices and prioritizes the well-being of their cats. Reputable Suphalak cat breeders prioritize the health and temperament of their cats, conduct necessary health screenings, and provide a nurturing environment for the kitties. This active approach ensures that you bring home a healthy and happy kitty while discouraging unethical breeding practices.
Quick Facts
- Origin: Thailand, possibly with a history intertwined with other Thai breeds like the Siamese or Korat.
- Size: Medium, with males up to 15 pounds.
- Breed Group: Natural Breed
- Lifespan: 7-12 years
- Coat: Short, soft, with a red-brown color. No tabby markings. Considered “copper.” The eyes are bright yellow to gold.
- Temperament: Easygoing, playful, affectionate, social, adaptable, good with children and other pets. They are “dog-like.”
- Exercise Needs: Moderately active – enjoys playtime and companionship.
- Training: Relatively easy to train due to their intelligence and desire to please.
- Grooming: Weekly brushing recommended to distribute oils and loose hair.
- Health: Generally healthy
- The first written account of a Suphalak is in the Tamra Maew, an ancient collection of poems about cats dating back to 1350.
- They are sometimes called Thong Daeng, which means “copper,” in reference to their coloring. Their coloring is also compared to the inside of a tamarind.
- The Suphalak cat is extremely rare, which ties into their origin story. They are said to be as “rare as gold,” and whoever possesses one shall be rich.
- Suphalak cats are often confused with Havana Brown or Burmese cats.
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Affectionate with Family
Some cat breeds are typically independent and aloof, even if they’ve been raised by the same person since kittenhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn’t the only factor that goes into affection levels; cats who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.
See Cats Less Affectionate with Family -
Amount of Shedding
If you’re going to share your home with a cat, you’ll need to deal with some level of cat hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary among the breeds. If you’re a neatnik, you’ll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. This furniture cover can make it easier to clean up cat hair and keep it off your sofa!
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General Health
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems. This doesn’t mean that every cat of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they’re at an increased risk. If you’re looking only for purebred cats or kittens, it’s a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you’re interested in.
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Potential for Playfulness
Some cats are perpetual kittens—full of energy and mischief—while others are more serious and sedate. Although a playful kitten sounds endearing, consider how many games of chase the mouse-toy you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other animals who can stand in as playmates. A classic wand cat toy like this one is perfect for playful felines!
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Tendency to Vocalize
Some breeds sound off more often than others with meows, yowls, and chattering. When choosing a breed, think about how the cat vocalizes and how often. If constant “conversation” drives you crazy, consider a kitty less likely to chat.
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Kid-Friendly
Being tolerant of children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a nonchalant attitude toward running, screaming youngsters are all traits that make a kid-friendly cat. Our ratings are generalizations, and they’re not a guarantee of how any breed or individual cat will behave; cats from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences and personality.
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Friendly Toward Strangers
Stranger-friendly cats will greet guests with a curious glance or a playful approach; others are shy or indifferent, perhaps even hiding under furniture or skedaddling to another room. However, no matter what the breed, a cat who was exposed to lots of different types, ages, sizes, and shapes of people as a kitten will respond better to strangers as an adult.
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Easy to Groom
Some breeds require very little in the way of grooming; others require regular brushing to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a cat who needs daily brushing. You should definitely pick up this awesome de-shedding tool for cats of any hair length!
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Intelligence
Some cat breeds are reputed to be smarter than others. But all cats, if deprived the mental stimulation they need, will make their own busy work. Interactive cat toys are a good way to give a cat a brain workout and keep them out of mischief. This scratcher cat toy can keep your smart kitty busy even when you’re not home!
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Pet Friendly
Friendliness toward other household animals and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some cats are more likely than others to be accepting of other pets in the home.
Suphalak History
The Suphalak is a cat that’s been on the scene for over 300 years. These felines originate in Thailand. Records show that Buddhist monks referenced the breed in ancient manuscripts, and the King of Burma is alleged to have once requested that all Suphalak cats in existence be given to him after the Burmese-Siamese war!
The Suphalak was registered with the American Cat Association (ACA) in 2015, but it is otherwise not registered with any other major breed organization. These days, you can find Suphalaks in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. So make sure to consider adoption if you decide that this is the breed for you!
Suphalak Size
The Suphalak is a medium cat. As is always the case, exact size standards might vary.
Most Suphalaks weigh around 15 pounds.
Suphalak Personality
When you live with a Suphalak, you’ll instantly notice just what a confident, out-going and people-friendly cat this is. The breed is often called dog-like for the way it will follow around the humans in its life and always wants to be where the action is. Naturally, this is a kitty that does well in a busy and active home, especially if there are children around who can become play buddies.
On the other hand, the Suphalak is such a social cat breed that they do not fare well being left alone for long periods of the day–in fact, behaviour and boredom issues might develop. So make sure you can provide enough companionship for the cat. The Suphalak also has a strong playful streak so you’ll want to make sure the cat’s living environment has a cat tree and safe scalable furniture, along with smart and interactive cat toys.
Suphalak Health
Suphalaks are generally considered to be healthy cats–although it’s important to schedule regular wellness visits with your cat’s vet. There aren’t any breed-specific health problems associated with the Suphalak, but always keep an eye out for signs that your cat might be in distress or pain.
Suphalak Care
As with all cats, it’s important to keep up your Suphalak’s regular veterinary checkups to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your cat healthy.
Beyond scheduling yearly wellness visits with your vet, make sure that you pick up a scratching post for your Suphalak cat’s living environment–this can help promote healthy scratching and keep the cat’s nails in good condition, which is especially important for such a playful kitty like the Suphalak.
The cat’s ears should be examined regularly for signs of dirt building up or possible infection. Talk to your vet about starting a regular teeth brushing regime that will suit your Suphalak. Your vet can advise you about specific brands and techniques. Finally, this is definitely a cat breed that will appreciate a good cat tree to play and interact with!
Suphalak Coat Color And Grooming
The Suphalak is a cat that sports a brown or copper colored coat, sometimes with a little bit of a red tint going on. When it comes to grooming, the short-haired Suphalak cat is pretty low maintenance and will be good with weekly brushing sessions. This will help ward off the chances of any mats forming. Although ask your vet for tips if you find that your Suphalak doesn’t take to sitting still and being brushed at first. In terms of climate, most Suphalaks are fairly adaptable felines. Just remember to always make sure that there’s enough shade and fresh water available during the hotter months.
Children And Other Pets
The Suphalak is an excellent fit for families with young children. Just make sure that early socialization takes place and boundaries are properly set on both sides–and supervise early interactions between kids and cats.
When it comes to other household pets, the confident Suphalak usually fares well with most other domestic animals. But always make sure to supervise early interactions between the new cat and existing pets–sometimes these relationships are very much dependent on the individual pets’ personalities. Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this breed. Make sure to reward your Suphalak for good behavior when you bring them home to your family!
Suphalak Rescue Groups
The Suphalak cat is extremely rare, so it may be difficult to find one in a shelter or rescue. However, you may be able to find one in rescues that center around Thai cats.
More Info For You
If you’re also looking for a dog, check out DogTime’s dog breed page!
