Tonkinese vs Tabby - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Tabby isn’t a cat breed but rather a certain cat pattern. So the Tabby has lots of different coat colors and patterns and the cat comes in different sizes.

You get the mackerel Tabby, the classic Tabby, the spotty Tabby and the ticked Tabby. The Tabby is a domestic cat. It is thought that today’s Tabby’s originated from the African wild cat because the markings are so similar.

It 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.

The Tabby is any domestic cat. They’ve got a distinctive 'M' shaped marking on their forehead.

The Tabby cat isn’t a breed of cat but actually a coat type and in fact, there are quite a few cat breeds with the Tabby pattern.

Tabby is a color pattern in other words and it means you will find stripes, spots, and whorls of color. Tabby cats can range in size because of the different breeds. They can be medium to large and weight between 3 and 7kg.

The eye and ear shape will also vary according to the different breeds as well as the thickness of the tail.

Temperament:

Your Tabby is a friendly, social cat. He makes an excellent pet and companion. The orange and ginger tabbies are more feisty and strong-willed. These cats cat can be any personality really and you might have an aloof cat but you could also have a highly social, vocal Tabby.

Most times you will get an active, playful, friendly cat that will love the company of his human family.

As 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.

When you bring a Tabby cat into your home, you can't tell what personality he will have. A lot depends on the lifestyle you provide him with.

Some Tabby cats are social and friendly while others are more shy. One thing is sure, they all thrive on the love and attention of their human families. This popular cat is guaranteed to make you a most wonderful pet and companion.

Tonkinese 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.

Many cats can develop liver and kidney troubles as they get older so it’s important to visit a vet regularly in order to make sure they are in good health.

Most domesticated tabby cats live for 12 to 15 years and this means you can enjoy many years of good friendship from your Tabby.

Liver Disease in cats:

The liver is an important organ with a host of functions. We know it plays an important role in removing toxic substances from the blood. Because this organ works to rid the body of so many different substances, it can become damaged.

Liver disease results in inflammation, which is known as hepatitis. If left, it can lead to loss of function because of scar tissue. Luckily, liver disease in cats can be treated and managed,

Proper nutrition is most important for managing your cat’s liver disorder.

Age, certain diseases and certain breeds of cats are more susceptible to liver disease. Obesity too, can contribute to liver disease. The signs of liver disease are weight loss, increased thirst, vomiting, drooling, jaundice and loss of appetite.

The urine of your cat may also be particularly dark-colored.

If your cat is diagnosed with liver disease, speak to your vet about a special diet for your cat.

Remember to keep your cat's vaccines up to date.

Tonkinese 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.

When your cat is a Tabby, he could have short or long fur, and a weekly brushing will be necessary to remove dead hairs and dust from the coat.

While you brush your cat, feel for any irregularities such as lumps or cuts. A lump should be examined by the vet.

Ensure your cat has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

As already mentioned, good food is key to good health, and as your cat is a carnivore, he will require meat. There are many excellent cat food manufacturers who produce cat food with all the nutrients your feline friend requires.

Supply your cat with a litter box and remove the feces every single day.

If your pet needs to be transported anywhere, such as to the vet, make sure he can be carried safely by putting him in a cat carrier box.

Provide your pet with a warm, soft bed.

The 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.