Korn Ja

Also called Konja, Maew Dam, Ninlarat

Rare breedShort profile

From Thailand; a native black cat described in the Thai Tamra Maew cat-book poems and one of Thailand's traditional Maew Boran cats.1 2 3

At a glance the quick version

Sizesmall

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, glossy solid black coat

A small, short-haired cat in deep, glossy black, likened to onyx or ink, usually with golden eyes. Old descriptions also mention a white stripe running from the chin down the chest and belly, a detail rarely looked for today.1 2

Colourssolid black2 1

The story where it all began

The Korn Ja is one of the cats pictured in the traditional Thai cat-book poems and is common among Thai village and temple cats. Folk belief linked it to protecting the home from misfortune, and Thailand has recently named it one of its five native breeds.1 3

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
In Thai tradition the black Konja was thought to guard households against bad luck.3
2
Its coat gloss is often compared to onyx or black ink.1
3
The European Bombay is described as the closest Western match to this black Thai cat.1

Recognised by the official bits

Thai government: Listed among five native cat breeds recognised as part of Thailand's national identity (reported 2026)3
TIMBA: Registered as a standard colour variety of the Maew Boran1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Korn Ja. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Nail trimevery 3 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
Litter scoopevery day
Litter changeevery week
PlayDaily playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year

Start a free diary

Bombay

Korat

Khao Manee

Siamese

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

Messybeast: Breeds originating from South-East Asia messybeast.comused for origin, description, history, TIMBA status, fun facts
List of cat breeds (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for type, body, coat, colour
Seasia: Thailand's five native cat breeds recognised as national identity (2026) seasia.coused for Thai national recognition, cultural meaning

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.