Anyone have any experience of Tonkinese cats?

[Monica101]

I have room for a cat in my life, having lost my last cat to a road accident (awful driver going really fast in a 20 zone). I feel I can only have an indoor cat now.

I am in two minds - shall I get a Tonkinese kitten or maybe two so they do not get bored and lonely.

I've only had older rescues before, would this breed be especially suited to be indoor cats as I feel a bit mean keeping cats inside generally but feel I have no choice now.

Any views on Tonkinese, they are expensive at £400 each!

[cozietoesie]

I've never had Tonks ( I'm a Siamese fan) but I'm sure someone on the board will so keep an eye on the thread.

[Mouseinahole]

I have had Tonkinese cats for 18 years. They are amazing, intelligent and affectionate and very very beautiful. They are slightly less noisy than Siamese but have a good voice when they want!
One of mine was an indoor cat through choice and lived to be 18. Her brother likes to go out but is perfectly happy indoors in Winter, he tends to just come out in the garden with us.
We have just got a Cream B S after years of Orientals but Tonks are probably the loveliest I have had. Our old girl died in November 4 days short of her 18th birthday and it seemed disloyal to get another Tonk. Pm me if you want more info :)

[Mouseinahole]

The two in the box are my two Tonks, a lilac girl and a cream boy. The two on my lap are the new BS kitten and my old Tonk and the one in the basket is old boy staking a claim to all kitten possessions. He is currently sleeping in a sunbeam :)

[cozietoesie]

And happy and relaxed he looks too. (He also looks like a big lad? Is that just a misperception from the photograph?)

[Mouseinahole]

He's much bigger than his sister was and bigger than the two Siamese I had before them but he isn't huge. The BS adults I saw when buying the kitten were chunkier than him. He's a lovely old fellow, very gentle with the kitten and always affectionate. Here he is helping dh with the crossword puzzle just now :)

[Monica101]

Such beautiful cats mouse. Thanks for posting the pictures.

If I decide to get a kitten the ones available are lilac, chocolate or brown tabbies. All look quite big on the pictures.

All v exciting. I am still dithering, but need to make a decision soon or I'll be waiting along time for the next litter.

[iloveeverykindofcat]

I know a pair. They're quite Oriental in character - social, affectionate, bright, but perhaps not quite as full-on as your typical Siamese.

[cozietoesie]

I'd have to go for the chocolate myself. Bar Firstcat, all my Siamese - in fact all of the family's Siamese - have been chocolates.

[jennieflower]

I have a pair of Tonks, both chocolates, they're fantastic cats, not for the faint hearted though, mine are very active and fairly vocal, their favourite game is tearing up and down the stairs, they sound like a herd of elephants!

I wouldn't recommend having one on its own as they really do prefer the company of other Tonks, both of mine pretty much ignore my moggies and spend all day together.

Have you found a breeder? I know a really good one if you'd like her details?

[doceodocere]

I always say I'm happy with the rescue moggies I've always gone for, but whenever I read about Tonks and Siamese I wonder if I'm missing something... how exciting, OP, this is going to be a real adventure!

[OddsandSods]

I have Burmese and they are a lovely friendly breed, probably very like Tonkinese. They are quite needy of their people and energetic so need their mad half hours. Mine go out and cope well with the outside and other cats. They are friends with lots of the neighbourhood cats, even the fighters. They are athletic, great climbers and intelligent, good with children and when we have my daughter's friends over they like to be in the thick of it all, following them everywhere. They get most perturbed when we shut them out of a room. Mine like to snuggle me and each other, they get right down under the covers and hug me. Can't recommend Burmese/Siamese/Tonkinese enough. They can be a little noisy, especially Siamese. Burmese probably the quieter of the 3.

[OddsandSods]

Ps lots of people manage them as indoor cats. My two need the outside and had a bit of cystitis that went away once we broadened their horizons. Burmese are prone to chunkiness so being outdoors keeps them slim. You can always a cat proof your garden or put in a cat run if your road is dangerous. Lots of cat trees, shelves and games help to keep them busy. We live in a low risk area road wise and all the cats are out.

[BackInTheRealWorld]

My mum had two, a brother and sister. They weren't very friendly, preferred each other.

[cozietoesie]

You run that risk with litter mates. They occasionally bond strongly with each other rather than with their 'person'.

[cozietoesie]

Sorry - that should be littermates. Take your eye off the auto correct for one second??? .........

[Monica101]

I am only hesitating at present doceodocere as I feel slightly bad that I am not filling the space with two rescue cats. I'm wondering if a Tonk will really be any different. But selfishly as a cat lover I've always hankered after owning a pedigree. I've looked for rescue Tonks but they seem hard to get.

I've found a breeder close to me who is registered with the breed club, I hope that makes them reputable.

I do like the sound of all these Tonks, I am in a lot, have a little girl and would love a friendly, confident cat.

[jennieflower]

Don't feel guilty for wanting a pedigree cat Monica, over the last 15 years I've had 11 cats, 9 of them were rescues, mostly elderly. My 2 Tonks are the only kittens I've ever had and I think I earned them

I foster dogs alongside my cats and in the last 6 months I've fostered and successfully found homes for 4 dogs. Tonks adore dogs and are in my opinion, more dog than cat!

[Monica101]

Thanks jennie I have a rescue dog at the moment and also look after a rescue staffie at the weekend too so glad tonks are doggie!

Ok, thanks for the advice all. I am going ahead with getting one girl tonk and will report back on any differences I see between my moggies and a pedigree.

[Monica101]

That fencing looks fantastic! I must investigate as I'd love to allow my cats an out door space without having to have a huge cage thing.

It's all expense of course but I'll look into its thanks.

[Monica101]

We are all pretty terrible at diy so that usually means everything costs a lot but it still may be worth it.

I do feel bad that my new cat won't get to go outside though. Seems a bit stifling for them so I think I may do this.

I'm getting a new fence in April so will have a good frame to hang this stuff up so that's a good start and could keep the new kitten in for six months or so anyway.

Thanks for the info, I've never heard of this before.

[Monica101]

Thanks potap, I will get in touch with the company. I feel there is possibility to get more cats if they can go outside too!

[Mouseinahole]

My lilac girl Tonk was so very beautiful :)