Suphalak

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, glossy single coat

A medium-sized, muscular cat of semi-foreign build with a softened wedge-shaped head. The whole body is one even, warm copper-brown, often compared to tamarind pulp, with no tabby markings, and the eyes glow yellow to gold.1

Personality what they are like

A clever, affectionate and playful cat that bonds closely with its people and often trails them from room to room, much like a dog. It is chatty and lively and prefers company to long hours alone.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderate to active. Around 15-20 minutes of interactive play a day, plus climbing spots and toys, keeps it fit and content.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Low effort: brush a few times a week to catch loose hair, trim nails regularly and bathe only when needed.2

Home where they are happiest

Happy indoors with vertical space, scratching posts and toys; best in a home where someone is around for much of the day.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Needs a complete, balanced cat food built around animal protein, with fresh water always available; portion treats so the cat stays trim.2

Company who they like around

Very people-focused and does not enjoy solitude, so it suits households that can offer steady company.1

The story where it all began

The Suphalak is pictured in the Tamra Maew, cat-book poems from the Ayutthaya era of Thailand. Legend says Burmese forces carried many of these copper cats away when Ayutthaya fell in 1767, which is offered as a reason for their rarity. Modern preservation work began only recently, and the first one registered in the West was a cat named Thonga in 2015.1

Recognised by the official bits

WCF

Breed standard recognised1

ACA (American Cat Association)

First Suphalak registered 6 September 20151

TICA

Covered under the Maew Boran group, registered as an experimental breed1