Tonkinese are shorthair, medium-sized cats, ranging from 6 to 12 pounds, with sturdy, muscular bodies; they appear lighter than they are. They're famous for their beautiful aqua eyes, and they were the first pedigreed breed to feature this eye color. Tonkinese come in three patterns: pointed, mink, and solid. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) accepts only four colors, seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac, but other organizations accept additional colors, including cinnamon and fawn.
Keeping them indoors and at a healthy body weight are the two best ways to ensure these cats live as long as possible with the best quality of life possible.
These generally healthy cats live 13 years or longer with proper care. They're extremely playful and extroverted, and they need a lot of attention and company. Respectful children, other Tonkinese or highly active cat breeds, and playful dogs all make good companions. When they're not at play, these cats are happy to settle down in a lap to give and receive affection.
Breeder Jane Barletta gave the budding Tonkinese breed a great deal of publicity by mentioning it in her personal profile when she was a contestant on Jeopardy! in the early 1970s.
Tonkinese are affectionate and clearly exhibit the belief that humans exist to worship and amuse them. They want attention often, and usually of the active variety. Throughout life, these cats are high-energy and are often in the mood to play. However, when playtime is over, they happily sit in a lap or perch on a shoulder.
These cats tend to follow people around and persistently seek interaction when it's not forthcoming. They do best in any home environment where they aren't ignored or left alone often. Companionship from another energetic and playful pet works well if humans are unavailable a significant amount of the time.
An outgoing breed, Tonkinese don't hesitate to greet and interact with visitors. They aren't always in a vocal mood, but when they are, they speak in a charming voice at great length. These cats aren't content to deliver monologues, though; they expect responses. Tonkinese are said to be the perfect breed for people who like the Siamese personality but aren't big fans of the extreme Siamese body type.
Tonkinese are fit and healthy cats with a fairly average domestic feline lifespan of around 13 years. Keeping them indoors and at a healthy body weight are the two best ways to ensure these cats live as long as possible with the best quality of life possible. They should have veterinary checkups at least once per year, and more often in their senior years.
These cats aren't known to be at increased risk for illness due to hereditary factors. However, like many breeds, periodontal disease is a concern, so proactive dental care and annual professional teeth cleanings are important.
Despite their strong genetic profile, Tonkinese, like all cats, can develop any number of health problems. No breeder can realistically guarantee a problem-free cat. However, any reputable breeder should provide a written guarantee of good health at the time of purchase, along with references from satisfied buyers.
These inquisitive, intelligent, and active cats need plenty of stimulation or they're prone to boredom and the behavioral problems that can result. They will turn anything into a game, including participation in human activities they weren't invited to take part in.
Tonkinese should be provided with a variety of puzzle toys, a scratching post, a cat tree, and other items that offer an outlet for their endless energy and curiosity. When left to their own devices, these cats find their way into anything and everything in their quest for adventure and stimulation. An animal playmate is one of the best ways to keep these cats out of trouble, especially when human family members are not at home.
Thorough cat-proofing is a must in homes with Tonkinese. They shouldn't be permitted outside without close supervision, as they're likely to carelessly investigate vehicles, other animals, and other outside dangers.
Tonkinese have short, soft, silky coats that shed lightly and are easy to care for. In most cases, frequent petting is adequate for removing loose hair and spreading oils from the skin over the coat. Brushing once or twice per week with a rubber curry brush can help, too, particularly during shedding seasons.
Good oral hygiene is important for Tonkinese, as these cats are susceptible to periodontal disease. Their teeth should be cleaned daily with a feline toothbrush and toothpaste, and an appropriate mouthwash should be used regularly. Most Tonkinese will be accepting of dental care if it's started early in life.
Other required care for Tonkinese is standard. They clean themselves diligently and don't need to be bathed unless exposed to something sticky or potentially harmful. Their ears should be cleaned when necessary and monitored for signs of infection, and their claws should be trimmed biweekly.
The Tonkinese is considered a man-made breed, developed in the 1960s by crossing Siamese and Burmese cats. However, it was subsequently discovered that the breed predates the deliberate efforts to create it by hundreds of years, since the two parent breeds lived together for centuries and certainly mated often.
The mother of the Burmese breed in the United States arrived in the 1930s. Her name was Wong Mau, and she was actually a Tonkinese, although it wasn't known at the time. Since the 1800s, cats like her were commonly called Chocolate Siamese and imported into England with some regularity. In fact, such cats appeared in The Cat Book Poems, written some time during the Ayudha Period in the 14th through 18th centuries in Siam (now Thailand).
Jane Barletta started the breed in the 1960s in the United States, wanting to create a cat with an appearance falling between the compact Burmese body and the svelte Siamese body. She soon learned that a Canadian breeder, Margaret Conroy, had recently undertaken the exact same program, and the two started working together. The name "Tonkanese" was used first, but it was changed to "Tonkinese," after the Bay of Tonkin, in 1971.
The Canadian Cat Association (CCA) was the first to recognize the Tonkinese breed in 1971. The International Cat Association (TICA) was the first US-based organization to accept the breed, in 1979. The CFA followed suit in 1984.
