Tonkinese vs Oriental Longhair - Breed Comparison

Tonkinese vs Oriental Longhair - Breed ComparisonOriental Longhair is originated from United Kingdom but Tonkinese is originated from Canada. Both Oriental Longhair and Tonkinese are of same weight. Oriental Longhair may live 3 years less than Tonkinese. Both Oriental Longhair and Tonkinese has same litter size. Both Oriental Longhair and Tonkinese requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

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United Kingdom
Canada
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Foreign Longhair
The Tonk
Colors Available:
Many colors and patterns
4 Base colors - medium brown, champagne, blue and and platinum.
Coat:
Medium to long haired - silky
Short and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Responsive, Social, 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

oriental longhairYour Oriental Longhair cat has his foundations in the Siamese breed. The Siamese came from Thailand to the UK in the 1800s.

Sometimes a litter of Siamese kittens produced a long-haired variety but in the 1950s breeders started honing in on these longer haired Siamese cats.

Various crossings took place and Oriental Shorthairs came about. By breeding these Shorthairs with Balinese cats, the Oriental Longhair came about in the 1970s.

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

oriental longhair kitten - descriptionThe Oriental Longhair is a medium-sized cat with a fairly long, muscular, lean body. The Oriental Longhair actually resembles the Siamese cat.

They also come in an outstanding array of colors and patterns with the coat being long and silky. The coat can be a solid color but you can also find tabby-type coats as well as tipped coats. The cat doesn’t have an undercoat and coat lies fairly flat against the body. You will also hear it being referred to as a semi-longhair.

The tail is attractive and forms quite a bushy plume.

The Oriental Longhair cat has almond-shaped green eyes. If you see the white Orientals, they can have green or blue eyes. They can also be odd-eyed.

Temperament:

These cats are intelligent, curious, and good-natured and they love to talk. Therefore it is important that such a cat breed have a home where there is plenty of company.

They’re active cats too, loving to play and bound and leap. He'll want to willingly join in with some of your games. The cat will certainly need some exciting toys to keep him occupied.

They are loyal cats and become loving and devoted to their human family, getting on well with children in the home as well as other pets.

They don’t like being left alone at all and will prefer to have company, even if it is from another pet.

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

oriental longhair cat - characteristicsYour Oriental Longhair is such a friendly, lively cat and he makes a splendid companion. It is an inquisitive cat and likes to be part of the activity in the household.

He is a social, talkative cat and has always got a lot to say/ They love the attention of their human family and don’t like being separated too long from them.

When you get one of these cats, you get both an entertainer and a friend.

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

oriental longhair kittens - health problemsThe Oriental Longhair is generally considered a healthy breed. Because the cat can be prone to some inherited conditions, it is always a wise move to buy a kitten from a reputable breeder.

A couple of these diseases to look out for include Progressive Retinol Atrophy which is a degenerative condition that can lead to blindness.

Also, look out for periodontal disease which is common in many cat breeds.

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

oriental longhair cats - caringThis is a slim cat and you can easily tell when he has put on weight. Be very careful with how much you feed your cat and what you feed him.

Cats are carnivores and you need to ensure that his diet is rich in meaty ingredients. These cats have long slim legs and extra weight can put pressure on the cat’s joints. Keep your cat lean and healthy. If in any doubt about diet for your cat, speak to your vet, Always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Prepare to have a cat included in your family. Invest in food and water bowls, a cat bed, grooming brushes, toys, climbing tree, scratching post and litter box. A cat box for transporting your pet to the vet is also a good idea.

The Oriental Longhair loves to leap up into high areas so he will need a climbing tree. Try to get your cat out into the sunshine where possible and allow him to climb into a tree.

They’re playful cats and will require some stimulating toys.

The cat’s medium- to long hair will require brushing once or twice a week. When you brush your pet gently but purposefully, he loves it and it becomes a bonding session.

Provide your cat with a litterbox and make sure to clean out the box every day. You can do that by buying a small plastic rake at the pet shop and it keeps the litter nice and even for your pet.

Have your cat neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens.

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. Oriental Longhair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Oriental Longhair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Oriental Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Oriental Longhair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Oriental Longhair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Oriental Longhair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Oriental Longhair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Oriental Longhair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Oriental Longhair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Oriental Longhair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Oriental Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Oriental Longhair vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Oriental Longhair vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Oriental Longhair vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Oriental Longhair vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Oriental Longhair vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Oriental Longhair vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Oriental Longhair vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Oriental Longhair vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Oriental Longhair vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Oriental Longhair vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Oriental Longhair vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Oriental Longhair vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Oriental Longhair vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Oriental Longhair 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