Tonkinese vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

It is thought that the cat was brought to America by the Spanish to keep the rat population down.

The name KEUDA stands for Kitten Evaluation Under Direct Assessment which is actually the name of a program that was running in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and was for investigating the kinds of cats that survived as barn cats.

Today the Keuda isn’t registered and it’s not a well-known cat either, being looked upon as being similar to the Egyptian Mau breed as it shares some physical similarities with the Mau.

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.

You can’t really pin-point what the American Keuda looks like as it looks a lot like the Maus but it can also look like a Siamese cat or even others.

It is a medium-sized cat and can weigh up to 5 or 6kg while being very lithe and athletic. The head of the cat is medium-sized, the ears medium-large, the eyes almond-shaped, and the tail is slightly tapered.

An unusual aspect with this cat is its belly flap – loose skin that flaps at each elbow. The head is wedge-shaped, it has almond-shaped eyes, large ears and the fur is soft and silky and in a variety of patterns as well as solid colors. The coat is short to medium in length and there is no undercoat.

Temperament:

American Keudas are just your regular cat in personality - active, adaptable, inquisitive, and intelligent while being strong and agile.

They are also adaptable and social, getting along well with children as well as other pets in the home. It is also quite unusual in that it likes playing with water. They are also playful and love running, jumping and climbing and indoors it will want a climbing cat tree.

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.

The beauty of American Keuda cats is that they are no-fuss cats and they are energetic, amicable, social, and playful and they make wonderful companions.

They are also fond of water and can even strike up a friendship with your dog. By bringing a Keuda into your home you can rely on a steady, loving friendship with your feline friend.

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.

Thes cats enjoy good health and live to be 15 years of age or older even. You just have to watch out for him as they have no undercoats and it’s not a cat to do well in the cold.

Whenever you buy a cat for the first time, try and find out about vaccines and previous conditions that might require special treatment.

Healthy kittens and cats are always alert and energetic with shiny coats and clear eyes.

Dental disease is quite common in cats, and it is always a good idea to have your pet’s teeth checked by your vet. Signs of pain with dental problems can include lethargy, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, and reduced appetite. Get your cat immediately to the vet if you suspect problems with his teeth.

Neutering and spaying are imperative if you don’t want your pet to have kittens. It’s a simple operation for your pet and it comes with many health benefits for your cat. You don’t want your female cat having kittens as there are just already so many stray cats in shelters. Spaying and neutering mellows a cat too, makes them less prone to wandering, spraying, and fighting.

Make sure you have your American Keuda vaccinated against the many cat diseases that there are. Vaccinations are available against feline infectious enteritis or feline parvovirus, cat flu and feline leukemia virus, a disease that damages the cat’s immune system. Kittens require their first vaccine at around 8 weeks of age.

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.

Every cat needs to be fed a complete, balanced high-in-protein food. There are heaps of different brands of cat food on the market - wet and dry. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended amounts. If in any doubt about what to feed your cat, speak to your vet. Every cat needs a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise and play:

Both young and older cats love to play so ensure you provide your cat with stimulating toys as well as things such as climbing trees and a scratching post. Cats enjoy a high-up place where they can feel safe and view their surroundings from a height.

Sleeping area:

Cats spend many hours a day sleeping and you need to provide your cat with a warm, dry, comfortable, quiet place to rest. There are many cat beds available, but if you don’t have one, a cardboard box with one side removed and a soft cushion or blanket will do.

Litter box:

Invest in a litter box for your cat to do his business in and keep it in a safe, quiet place where your cat can ‘toilet’ in peace and quiet. These should be placed away from the food and water bowls. Make sure to keep a small plastic rake close by and rake up the cat droppings regularly to ensure the litter tray is nice and clean.

Grooming:

Your American Keuda is a short-haired cat but you want to brush the fur gently at least once a week. Grooming also provides you and your cat with some valuable bonding time.

Microchipping:

Provide your cat with a collar to show everyone that he is yours. Also, have your cat microchipped – a tiny chip that carries your pet’s unique ID number and which is inserted safely and gently under the cat's skin.

Parasites:

Have your cat treated and free from parasites such as ticks, fleas, and worms. Speak to your vet about this.

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.