Bold yet affectionate, a tonkinese cat is the perfect addition to your family. Recognizable due to their pliable, almond-shaped eyes, the breed’s wonderful temperament and sociable nature have led them to become one of the most popular breeds in America. Tonkinese cats are known around the world for their beauty; Your typical Tonkini is a brown cat, with dark brown markings all around his fur and piercing aquamarine-colored eyes that are famous for melting the heart of a cat enthusiast. If you are interested in welcoming a Tonk into your life or simply want to learn more about the breed of pain feline friend, read on to discover their diverse origins, misconceptions related to the breed, and their needs. Best how to participate.
History of the Tonkinese Cat
To fully understand the rich history of the noble Tonkinese cat, you must first be told the story of the Wong Mau; A cat who found fame for her walnut colored coat. Initially, it was thought that the Tonkinese breed existed as a result of breeding programs that led to the Burmese and Siamese breeds in the 1960s. Two independent breeding programs were put into motion: a Canadian-based program led by Margaret Conroy and the other spearheaded by Jane Barletta, based in Jersey. Breeding programs produced beautiful litters of dark brown cats with seal brown markings on their ears, legs, tail and face. If this was the end of the breed’s origins, their history would be pretty self-explanatory. Still the story continues. Arriving at sea as a gift for Dr. By a sailor in the 1930s Joseph Thompson who knew of his great interest in cats, the doctor immediately took an interest in Wong Mau’s walnut colored coat and the darker dots on his face. Accordingly, Dr. Thompson, with the help of other respected scientists, conducted a genetic analysis of Wong Mau’s coat. The results of the analysis confirmed that Wong Mau was, in fact, a Burmese-Siamese hybrid – in other words, a naturally occurring Tonkinese. Another notable event in history pointing to the natural breeding of Tonkinese cats was in 1880, as the breed was first recorded as the “chocolate variety of the Royal Siamese cat”. So, In recent decades, the breed has been officially accepted by major pedigree organizations including the Independent CAT Federation, the Tonkinese Breed Club and the Cat Fancier Federation. Nowadays, the Tonkinese cat is rightly recognized by all the influential organizations for those wonderful cats.
Quick Facts About the Tonkinese Cat
Although widely rumored, Tonkinese cats are not non-allergic: although many allergy sufferers have remarked that felines of this breed are easier to tolerate due to their shorter hair and less shedding, it is the fel d 1' of Tonkinese cats. Does not inhibit the production of proteins. Responsible for the vast majority of cat allergies, the ‘FEL D1’ protein is produced in the saliva of cats and remains on the cat’s hair and skin when they groom themselves. Heck, once the allergy sufferer has groomed the cat, it’s game over. Very frighteningly, the ‘Fel d 1’ protein particles are so reduced that they are able to hang suspended in the air, waiting to be inhaled by bad allergy sufferers. Because of the irritating buoyancy of these protein particles, non-allergenic cats are simply a myth. Yet Tonkinese Cats Can Be Considered PartiallyHypoallergenic breed . Since they shed themselves significantly less than long-haired breeds, a Tonkinese tends to produce significantly less ‘dander’ than long-haired cats, thereby reducing their symptoms to allergy sufferers.
They are expensive cats: you can buy a tonkinese cat for between $600 to $1000 dollars. Their cost depends on their pedigree and color. The steep price to buy Tonkkinese is largely due to their beauty, but also as a result of their wonderful temperaments and colorful personalities.
Tonkinese point colors darken as they age: the coat is of great attraction to any young tonkinese breeders, as how their coat will develop is often a mystery. The color contrast between the points and body of a young tonkinese is produced by enzyme and pigment interactions influenced by body temperature. In fact, there are twelve different coat patterns. As your young Tonkinese darkens with age, it will become clear what coat pattern type they fit into.
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Health
Selective breeding has largely contributed towards Tonkinese cats that live an average of sixteen years. However, as with all cat breeds, Tonkkiss cats are more prone to developing certain health conditions than others, outlined below: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD): The Tonkinese breed, in conjunction with their Siamese and Burmese brothers and sisters, are prone to suffering from flat – an all-encompassing term referring to a range of health conditions in feline urine path . Some of these health conditions include stones or crystals that form in their urine. If you notice your Tonk squatting for a long time, struggling to urinate, or crying out in pain , take them to a vet so they can receive the right treatment.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) : As humans suffering from this debilitating disease will know, IBD is difficult for Tonkinese cats to manage without the right medical treatment. Excessive cramps and muscle spasms are only a few unpleasant symptoms. Thankfully, since Tonkies cats aren’t afraid to express themselves vocally, there will be a noticeable difference in their volume levels when suffering from IBD. Other signs that your Tonk may be suffering from IBD is if they sit upset and constantly lick the fur on their abdomen in an attempt to relieve the pain.
Gingivitis: Like Siamese cats, Tonkinese cats are prone to gingivitis – inflammation of the gum tissue as a result of films of plaque or bacteria. If left untreated, the condition can cause the tissue and bone around the gums to become affected, resulting in the loss of teeth.
feeding
Since Tonkinese cats are surprisingly vocal, they’ll let you know it’s dinnertime. Cats’ digestive system has several small meals (about two or three meals) throughout the day. Spreading out your meals throughout the day won’t just be better for your Tonkini’s digestion: hopefully they’ll stop crying about how hungry they’ve become! All cats have the same metabolic rate and body composition of carnivores, so their diet should be high in probiotics, prebiotics and animal-based protein sources. Regarding the latter, Tonkinese cats are rumored to go absolutely crazy for foods that contain fresh chicken or fish. Thankfully, there are plenty of healthy varieties of kibble that satisfy these cravings.
Care
Given that Tonkinese cats are susceptible to periodontal diseases like gingivitis, it is essential that owners brush their teeth once a week as a prevention method. Your tonk might hate this beauty procedure initially; Yet by using positive reinforcement as a tool over several sessions, they will begin to accept it. An incredibly helpful article produced by the American Association of Feline Practitioners includes step-by-step instructions on how to make brushing a positive experience for both you and your Tonkinese.
beauty
One of the major perks of owning a Tonkinese as compared to other long haired breeds is the lack of hair cleaning at home. Their short fur is easy to maintain, and the breed only needs to be brushed every now and then so that their owner can check for lumps, fleas and skin irritations.
Mood
Your typical tonkinese equivalent of your chatty friend who has an opinion on everything. Whether your Tonk is feeling tired, anxious, or dizzy, don’t worry; They certainly won’t keep you in the dark! True Tonkinese lovers consider their tonks ‘speaking’ as the top of their favorite characteristics of their beloved cat. If you have kids at home, your Tonk will absolutely adore them: The average cat of this breed will get along especially well with gentle children who have been taught not to push them out of their comfort zones. One reason we believe that Tonkinese cats have a habit of having children around the home is because of their potential to become lonely. In this regard, you should treat your Tonkini as you would own a dog: leaving them alone for long periods of time can drive cats of this breed to distraction. On a similar vein, if you often work outside the home and don’t spend much time in your home, choosing a breed that enjoys being more independent is recommended. The love of a Tonkinese cat is why breed experts recommend owning two Tonks at once. Because they are a highly intelligent and sociable breed, Tonkinese kittens should preferably be bought in twos so they can keep each other entertained while you are busy meeting their needs. Overall, these wonderful cats are itching to be involved in family life and are a constant source of entertainment and love. We couldn’t recommend them more!