Tonkinese Cat Breed Information

Group

Oriental, Short Haired

Weight

2.7-5.4 kg

Length

20-25 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Tonkinese Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Are you looking for a furry friend to join the clan? Modern Tonkinese cats could be just that! Weighing on average around 4kgs, this medium-sized cat comes in a variety of hues and boasts a neat, short coat.

Tonkinese felines are cute cats that make great family pets, mainly because they adore company and have few health issues.

In this handy guide, we unearth everything from the Tonkinese’s origins to their breed statistics whilst highlighting all the little things that make them such beautiful cats!

What Is the History & Origin of the Tonkinese Cat?

When cats of varying pedigrees mate together, their kittens and those thereafter assume characteristics of their parent breeds at random. This makes them half breeds. Tonkinese breeds, however, are “bred true”.

What does this mean? When two felines of Tonkinese origin breed together, their kittens will behave and look in a typical “Tonkinese” way.

It was in 1971 that the Canadian Cat Association first identified the Tonkinese cat. They were shortly followed in 1974 by the Cat Fanciers’ Association and in 1979 by The International Cat Association. However, it wasn’t until 1990 that Tonkinese felines were recognised by all key breed registries.

What Is a Tonkinese Cat Breed?

The Tonkinese cat breed, as it stands today, was first introduced to the world by Margaret Conroy, a Canadian breeder, in 1960.

Conroy’s key intention was to create a breeding program that produced a cat with the best characteristics of Burmese cats and Siamese cats.

Who Is a Tonkinese Cat Best For?

Tonkinese pedigrees are famed for a variety of top qualities. They are playful, cute, active and boast a mischievous side. If you’re looking for a cat with character, this is it!

They also, like Siamese and Burmese cats, love company, which makes them a perfect option for families looking for a loving pet, yet one that still has an independent side.

They’re good with adults, children, other animals and strangers, which means they’ll happily reside in a full, busy household. All in all, they’re generally healthy, providing your source your Tonkinese kitten from quality Tonkinese breeders.

What Does a Tonkinese Cat Look Like?

Tonkinese felines boast slim tails and legs that are proportionate to their slender bodies. Their paws are distinctive in style and showcase an oval shape, whilst their head is shaped a little like a wedge and their muzzle blunted. They have beautiful almond-shaped eyes and outward ears that set them apart from other cat breeds.

Coat

Tonkinese breeds, like Burmese breeds, have short-haired coats, which means they shed a lot less cat hair than other cats. They feature a soft fur not dissimilar to that of a mink’s fur. This comes in an impressive 12 hues and patterns and features unique points, with darker shades on the ears, face and tail.

Colours

The hues of a Tonkinese cat can take a little while to evolve and continue to change throughout the first 16 months of the cat’s life. Colours are liable to darken as the cat ages and range from platinum to champagne to natural and blue.

Tonkinese felines boast coats of varying shades, ranging from point (a high-contrast coat, where the hue of the cat’s body is a lot lighter than that of its points), chocolate mink (where the coat and points showcase a medium-contrast), or champagne mink (the points and coat are almost identical).

For example, a blue point Tonkinese breed will showcase blue points (a bold grey-slate hue) complete with a pale grey-cream body.

A solid blue Tonkinese cat, on the other hand, boasts a grey-slate hue all over, whilst a blue mink Tonkinese is famed for its grey-slate points and medium-grey coat.

Patterns

They boast a unique colour point; this means their coat tends to showcase a darker hue towards the ears and paws, where the nerves are. Their coats are split into a total of three pattern categories. These comprise a ‘mink’ pattern, a medium-contrast style and a high-contrast point pattern.

Tonkinese Cat Grooming & Shedding

If you’re reluctant to get a cat because you’re concerned about maintenance and shedding, you need not be concerned – a Tonkinese cat, as a short-haired animal, is a low shedding breed and boasts a very tidy coat.

Although they groom themselves and are deemed very low maintenance, they do enjoy weekly brushing. For best results, use a massaging rubber grooming paddle.

All in all, this cat features a coat that is easily maintained and doesn’t necessitate special care.

How Do Tonkinese Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

The perfect motto for the Tonkinese cat temperament is “happy medium”. They’re communicative, yet not overly vocal, just like Siamese and Burmese breeds.

They’re equally happy to entertain you with their mischief, as they are to cuddle. They’re not animals that enjoy being left at home alone for long periods, which is something to keep in mind if you have a busy schedule.

A Tonkinese cat personality embodies both resourcefulness and intelligence, which means if left alone for lengthy periods, their playfulness can turn into naughtiness. This is why many owners invest in pairs.

Living Needs

These sociable creatures prefer to live in pairs or with their pet parents. All in all, they are suited to most homes; however, they can be a little fussy. They enjoy extremely clean spaces, perfectly in tune with their high standard of hygiene. They want their litter box, food dishes and toys to be clean at all times.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Tonkinese Cats?

They’re extremely energetic and playful and will often play fetch. However, they also love to cuddle and tend to match the mood of those around them.

Habits

They’re friendly, playful and affectionate and are extremely people-orientated. This makes them a great choice for family pets. They’re also renowned for being highly intelligent and inquisitive and can be trained to perform certain tricks.

Activity Level

They’re extremely active and very playful. From playing with toys to exploring, they’re constantly on the move. That being said, they love to cuddle too!

Vocalness

They love a little chatter, but they’re not overly vocal and enjoy downtime just as much as we do.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Tonkinese Cat?

Height

They tend to range from 20 to 25 cm tall in most cases.

Weight

Tonkinese breeds are medium-sized felines with surprisingly muscular, heavy bodies. They can weigh anything between 2.7 – 5.4 kg.

Size

These medium-sized animals come in the shape of an extremely lean, muscular cat and often weigh more than they appear to!

Are Tonkinese Cats Easy to Train?

Due to their high intelligence and inquisitiveness, Tonkinese breeds are easy to train. However, for best results, you should begin their training from a young age. Introducing them to family, friends, and pets is a great way to prepare them for all social situations.

Does the Tonkinese Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

All animals, like humans, can be susceptible to certain ailments. When investing in a Tonkinese, it is important to source a breeder who meticulously tests the health of their kittens.

Other than this, the PDSA notes no specific health issues for pedigrees such as the Tonkinese. They’re hardy, and providing they’re vaccinated against common feline issues such as enteritis, cat flu and the leukaemia virus, as well as fleas and worms, your furry friends shouldn’t experience any issues.

One thing to note is Tonkinese breeds fall into a higher-risk category for diabetes, but only in comparison to crossbred cats, and there isn’t much research to support this. In their senior years, they are also prone to hyperthyroidism.

What Is the Lifespan of a Tonkinese Cat?

With the correct care, they tend to live to 15 years in age. This is a good age for a pedigree cat.

How Much Does a Tonkinese Cat Need to Be Fed?

As healthy cats, they don’t require a specific diet. However, they do have a lot of energy, which can mean they eat bigger, more hearty meals.

In terms of dry and wet food, there are advantages to both. Wet food provides more hydration as it boasts a higher water count, whilst kibble (dry food) has lots of nutrients. For best results, provide your cat with a balanced diet of both.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Tonkinese Cat in Australia?

The price of a Tonkinese, especially a pedigree, differs dramatically by location and colour. If you reside in an area where breeders are scarce, you may have to pay over $1,000.