Tonkinese vs Domestic Longhaired Cat - Breed Comparison

Tonkinese vs Domestic Longhaired Cat - Breed ComparisonDomestic Longhaired Cat is originated from United States but Tonkinese is originated from Canada. Both Domestic Longhaired Cat and Tonkinese are of same weight. Both Domestic Longhaired Cat and Tonkinese has almost same life span. Both Domestic Longhaired Cat and Tonkinese has same litter size. Both Domestic Longhaired Cat and Tonkinese requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

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United States
Canada
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
15 - 20 Years
10 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
House cat, Longhair
The Tonk
Colors Available:
All colors and patterns
4 Base colors - medium brown, champagne, blue and and platinum.
Coat:
Thick and fairly long
Short and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

domestic longhaired catThe Domestic Longhaired cat came about because of various attempts by breeders to bring in certain Persian cat varieties in the American Shorthairs.

The cat comes from champion bloodlines but one of the most remarkable traits of the Domestic Longhair cat is that they are just typical cats with long hair. In other words, Domestic Longhairs are a product of various cat breedings and it is thought they arrived in the USA with the early settlers.

They shouldn’t be confused with the purebred American Longhair cat. The ancestry of the Domestic Longhair cat is unknown but for people who own them, they are a longhaired cat that becomes special to their owners. The cat isn’t recognized by the larger cat organizations.

tonkineseIt was about in 1960 that a breeding program was established for these cats. The Tonkinese is a cat that hails from Canada and it was a certain Jane Batlett who was responsible for breeding this cat.

She wanted a cat that was in between the Burmese and Siamese.

Also, Margaret Conroy, another breeder, set up her breeding program between a Burmese female with a Siamese. Both Conroy and Bartlett worked together on the breed and the Tonkinese came about. The Cat Fanciers Association recognized this cat breed in 1984.

Description

domestic longhaired cat kitten - descriptionThese Domestic long-haired cats are hugely popular in the United States. They can be of any color and the coat can have different patterns too, including bi-color, tortoiseshell and tabby.

With his muscled, athletic body he can weigh between 3 and 6kg. He can have a variety of eye colors, ear sizes, and shapes Essentially, their size and shape is influenced by the breed that dominates.

Temperament:

These are just your regular, balanced cats and they make splendid pets for first-time cat owners, single pet owners, those with kids in the home and seniors. You can’t really tell how their personality will be and some will be more quiet than others and some more loving than others too. A lot depends on how you raise- and socialize your cat.

tonkinese kitten - descriptionAs a medium-sized cat, with a firm, muscular body, your Tonkinese will weigh between 2.5 – 6kg.The head is slightly rounded with fairly broad ears that are set wide apart.

The eyes are bigger than the classic Oriental shape and can range from green to light blue in color.

The coat of the Tonkinese is short and close-lying and is soft and silky to touch. The mask, the ears, legs and tail are all darker than the body.

The Tonkinese cat breed is recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 4 base colors - medium brown, champagne, blue and and platinum.

Temperament:

The Tonkinese cat, with one of its parents being the Siamese cat, just loves giving and receiving attention.

Active and social, he is an excellent choice for families with children and even other pets. They love just seeking out their human companions and lying down where they are.

They’re intelligent felines these, and you can even teach them some simple commands. Because of them being so very social, they don’t like to be left on their own – certainly not for the whole day while you go off to work.

Ideally, it would be nice to have two of these cats together.

Characteristics

domestic longhaired cat cat - characteristicsDomestic Longhairs are such wonderful cats and slot into a host of different lifestyles.

They are generally content cats with the different lifestyles they find themselves in. Some are smart, some playful, some quiet and some naughty, some are very vocal and some are content to be lap cats.

They're all different but they all have needs and concerns – to be part of a loving human family and to be treated with love, care and respect for the companionship they offer.

tonkinese cat - characteristicsTonkinese cats can be active and highly entertaining with their antics. When you laugh at them, they are encouraged to perform more.

They are affectionate and intelligent cats and you will need to have toys for him. When he isn't playing, he likes nothing more than to be petted and pampered by his human family.

Your Tonkinese will get on well with children and other pets, and he generally makes a splendid pet for those who care well for him.

Health Problems

domestic longhaired cat kittens - health problemsIt is their mixed breeding that ensures that the Domestic Longhaired cat doesn’t have any health issues. Like any cat, things such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease can plague your cat.

A good diet, exercise, lots of love and care can all help to ensure your kitty kat doesn’t succumb to anything that your vet can’t handle.

As soon as your cat shows any sign of illness, get him to the vet. If you look after your cat well, he can avoid a lot of vet visits and can reach 15 to 20 years of age.

tonkinese kittens - health problemsTonkinese are generally healthy cats but they can be prone to eye problems such as gingvitis.

Because they are part of the Siamese family, they can succumb to some of the diseases that the Siamese battles with. These are asthma/bronchial disease, heart defects, lymphoma, and crossed eyes.

Lymphoma:

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes - cells involved in the immune system.

Lymphoma is linked with feline leukemia, a viral infection, and thankfully, more cats are being vaccinated for feline leukemia, so fortunately it is becoming less common.

Intestinal lymphoma affects the gastrointestinal tract and is the most common type of lymphoma in cats, being more common in older cats. Affected cats can suffer with weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. Get your cat to the vet as diagnosing this lymphoma will require the vet finding cancerous cells on microscopic examination.

Caring The Pet

domestic longhaired cat cats - caringThe hair of the Domestic Longhair will need to be tackled and you will need a firm brush to gently brush your cat once a week. This ensures the hair remains silky and tangle-free.

Remember, there are always professional cat groomers who specialize in grooming cats and ensuring their teeth, inside of ears, their nails and their fur is in tip-top condition.

Keeping your cat healthy is always going to require a trip to the vet. Your Domestic Longhair is going to require certain vaccines and deworming to ensure he remains free of deadly cat diseases. Also, if your cat is acting in a lethargic, ‘sick’ way, it could well be a sign that he is ill and a trip to the vet will be imperative as the condition could become worse.

To ensure your cat has the best chance at health, make sure you feed him well. Gut health is absolutely imperative and feeding your cat too many carbs will give him plenty of digestive problems.

A cat is a carnivore – a meat eater – and therefore his food needs to be meat. A kitten will require 4 small meals a day and an adult cat – over the age of 1 year – will require 2 meals a day. Any questions you have about feeding your cat can be answered by your local veterinarian.

Speak to your vet about spaying or neutering your Domestic Longhaired Cat as this will prevent unwanted kittens, particularly if your cat is allowed outdoors and wanders off.

Also, neutering and spaying have a host of health benefits for your cat and it also improves their personality.

tonkinese cats - caringThe Tonkinese has a short coat so a brush once a week will be sufficient for this cat as it just helps to brush away dust and loose hairs.

He will need a litter box and this will need to be kept spotlessly clean. Use a small rake, available from your vet or local pet shop, to rake up the cat’s feces.

When you first bring your Tonkinese cat home, you will at least need some of the basics to ensure his wellbeing. These are -

sleeping equipment – baskets or cushions in a nice warm, dry place for your cat.

Food and water bowls.

A cat tree for climbing and a scratching post. Cats are natural scratchers so you can’t get angry with your cat for scratching. Instead, invest in a scratching post so that he doesn’t use your furniture to scratch on.

Food is such an important part of caring for a cat. The best type of cat food can ensure your cat has a strong immune system that allows him to not succumb to every cat sickness there is.

Cats are carnivores so ensure he has food high in meat. Sometimes it can be costly, but try to provide your cat with the best, most high-quality cat foods there are to ensure his good health and happiness.

A cat needs a constant supply of fresh, cool water night and day. The water should be changed regularly.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Domestic Longhaired Cat vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Tonkinese vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Tonkinese vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Tonkinese vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Tonkinese vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Tonkinese vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Tonkinese vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Tonkinese vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Tonkinese vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Tonkinese vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Tonkinese vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Tonkinese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Tonkinese vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Tonkinese vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Tonkinese vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Tonkinese vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Tonkinese vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Tonkinese vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Tonkinese vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Tonkinese vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Tonkinese vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Tonkinese vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Tonkinese vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Tonkinese vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Tonkinese vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Tonkinese vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison