Traditional Siamese vs Tonkinese - Breed Comparison

Traditional Siamese vs Tonkinese - Breed ComparisonTonkinese is originated from Canada but Traditional Siamese is originated from Thailand. Both Tonkinese and Traditional Siamese are of same weight. Both Tonkinese and Traditional Siamese has almost same life span. Both Tonkinese and Traditional Siamese has same litter size. Both Tonkinese and Traditional Siamese requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

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Canada
Thailand
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:
10 - 18 Years
14 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
The Tonk
None
Colors Available:
4 Base colors - medium brown, champagne, blue and and platinum.
brown, tortie or blue points. , lilac, red, Cream with chocolate
Coat:
Short and silky
Short, sleek and soft
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

traditional siameseThere are now three types of Siamese cats. The Traditional Siamese is said to be the original cat imported from Thailand.

The Classic was the type that was common in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The original Siamese cat became one of the most popular breeds in Europe and North America in the 19th century.

The Traditional Siamese is also called an applehead Siamese.

Description

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.

traditional siamese kitten - descriptionThe Traditional Siamese cat is medium-sized, lean, and muscular and weighs between 3 and 6kg. The coat is short and he is considered a medium shedder.

The kittens of these cats are born white and the coloring comes in over the next days and weeks. The head of the Traditional Siamese is well proportioned to its body size.

The medium size ears are slightly rounded at the tip and the eyes are large and bright blue in color.  

The coat is short, sleek, and soft and accepted colors are cream with chocolate, brown, lilac, red, tortie or blue points.

Temperament:

The personality of the Traditional Siamese is loud, vocal, and demanding. These cats let you know precisely what they want and it is almost like having a human companion in the house.

They love to give their human owners lots of attention as well. They’re intelligent, curious, playful, and energetic.

The Traditional Siamese cat isn’t really recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) anymore as the breed’s temperament has changed so much.

Characteristics

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.

traditional siamese cat - characteristicsThe Traditional Siamese cat is such an amazingly intelligent animal and sometimes they can become quite human.

These are not your traditional cool, independent, sleep all day kind of felines and people liken them to having a dog as a pet. They love to play, and they are so active you could even put a leash on one and take it for a walk.

They are energetic, local, and lively. They are such affectionate cats too and they get on well with children and with other pets.

When you bring a Traditional Siamese cat into your life, it is like you are bringing in a human companion, except that the Traditional Siamese is far more amicable than many humans.

Health Problems

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.

These are robust cats and you won’t find many health issues with it.

traditional siamese kittens - health problemsAvoid obesity. Siamese cats are prone to obesity and these slim cats can’t afford weight gain. Extra weight can put a whole lot of pressure on the cat’s joints and they can also develop other problems such as diabetes. The label of the commercial cat food you give your Traditional Siamese will indicate how much food your cat should get a day based on your cat’s weight.

Diet plays a massive role in the health of a cat, and inferior cat foods can mean you spending more money at the vet because of digestive issues.

If you are in any kind of doubt as to what to feed your cat, rather speak to your vet about what and how much to feed him. Your cat is a carnivore and it is most important to feed your cat foods high in protein.

Take your cat to the vet whenever he is sick and also just for a general check-up. You want to make sure that your Traditional Siamese is free from any health problems as well as parasites.

Also, make sure your cat is always up to date with his vaccinations as there are some cat illnesses such as feline panleukopenia, also known as distemper, that can kill your cat.

It is always a good idea as well to spay or neuter your Siamese to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

If your Traditional Siamese has any health conditions, your vet can help provide you and your pet with a treatment program.

Caring The Pet

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.

traditional siamese cats - caringTo care for your Traditional Siamese, you need to feed him a high protein diet. Always read the labels of the cat food you buy to ensure that the proteins included come from animal sources and not from plants.

All cat food should contain taurine.

Provide your active cat with a climbing tree or perch.

Brush your Traditional Siamese cat regularly. He has a short coat so once a week will be enough to keep it shiny and clean.

You can feed your cat and provide all he needs, but nothing will be more important to your cat than showing your love for him by spending lots of time with him and showering him with love.

Comparison with other breeds

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