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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Oriental cat advice?

26 replies

Mimipoo · 08/07/2017 15:11

Anyone know anything about tonkanise cats? How do they compare to Burmese? Are they good with children? Cuddly?
Also I've always had a single cat always adored and rather spoiled they have always had human company most of the time.
Tell me the reality of having 2. Do they fight, spray are they as human oriented as a single? Do you have to have 2 litter trays? What sexes go best together?

I'm dealing with a missing cat but due to constant crying and not coping DH is demanding I research for a new kitten. I can't give up on missing DCat so would have 2 cats if I did get a kitten at some point.

Thanks x

OP posts:

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DumbledoresApprentice · 08/07/2017 15:27

I would get a rescue cat. Rescue centres will be able to help you find a cuddly, cat-friendly rescue. Its difficult to predict what sort of personality a kitten will have.

Original poster

Mimipoo · 08/07/2017 16:11

Should have said I'm a lifelong Burmese owner. They are a bit different so I'm used to a cuddly cat actually under the covers at night. None of my moggys have been as intense. I am considering a rescue kitten and oriental together?? I rather fancy a black witches cat. But I need the intense oriental breed love also. You have to have had one to know what I mean I think??? My parents have a lovely mog type rescue cat he's a proper cat! but he would be horrified at being in bed with a human.

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Ollivander84 · 08/07/2017 16:14

I got a rescue cat. I'm 99% sure he's part Siamese worth keeping an eye out
He follows me round blinking at me, clambers under the duvet to rest his head on my arm and is very very vocal

Userwithoutaname · 08/07/2017 16:15

I've had a lot of rescue cats, kittens and I have a Siamese. None of the cats have been as cuddly as the Siamese. He demands to sit on me, sleeps under the covers with me (in my arms as a kitten).

Catgotyourbrain · 08/07/2017 16:23

I've heard tonkinese are nice temperament. My mum used to breed Siamese and oriental and though I love them they all look a bit extreme nowadays.

We recently lost our beautiful Abyssinian boy and he was one of those 'once in a lifetime' cats with son much personality. Everyone around here knew him and lots of people we very sad when he died- even though he jumped on their cars and went in their houses ;-)

Our two bengals are lovely but muchless personality - they were 18 months when they arrived so we don't know if that's their previous life or that they have each other and are a bit less interactive. The Abyssinian was a very affectionate but dominant alpha cat, and liked a territory fight too.

Orientals do have more personality imho.

Ollivander84 · 08/07/2017 16:29

My rescue that we think is part Siamese. His favourite hobby is gazing at me adoringly

Original poster

Mimipoo · 08/07/2017 16:38

Userwithoutaname that's it! They are different.

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stressystressy · 08/07/2017 16:43

Orientals are special in my experience. You're right about the intense love they give you. If that is what you crave then you should probably get one.

The rule of thumb is one litter tray each and one spare. Often they choose to use the same one so you pack the rest away, until they have a spat and one decides to poo on the carpet.

WaitingfortheMiracle · 08/07/2017 16:47

Siamese - Incredibly loyal, loving, highly intelligent and VERY VOCAL!

WaitingfortheMiracle · 08/07/2017 16:54

Two are like siblings, love, fight, make up, gang up on parents.
At least one litter tray each, and separate food bowls. Not that THAT will help, as they'll just steal each others food.
I found 1 boy + 1 girl very loving (but spay/neuter, unless you want to hear the clodhopping patter of lots of tiny paws).
Lets see if I can attach a picture...

DumbledoresApprentice · 08/07/2017 17:59

I've got a rescue, she's neither a moggy nor an oriental but super cuddly. Doesn't sleep under the covers but does like to sleep on me, not next to or near to but on. Last night it was horribly hot here but she wanted to sleep stretched out along my torso with one paw on my face and she only went to sleep after half an hour of staring intently at my face from a few inches away. Dome nights I shut her out just so I can sleep properly.

DumbledoresApprentice · 08/07/2017 17:59

Some not dome

peonyinparadise · 08/07/2017 18:01

Op, I totally get what you say about the intensity of an oriental cat. My previous moggies could take or leave me. Our rescue Siamese mix is a very different. Intensely loving, loud & very present at all times. Wonderful creature!

Weedsnseeds1 · 08/07/2017 18:26

My giant, mutant, inbred moggie is incredibly affectionate. No idea what his ancestry is ( I have dubbed him a Faux Siberian) but he traits after me like a little dog, sleeps with me, comes on holiday. He's amazing!

Weedsnseeds1 · 08/07/2017 18:26

Trots, not traits!

Original poster

Mimipoo · 08/07/2017 18:26

It's a hard relationship to explain. I adore all cats I can't walk past one without stopping to talk/ stroke. The oriental cat is intense love thing. You do sleep with them no way in hell would either Burmese have exepted any other set up. Moggies are more polite, civilized and distant in that regard. Yes am used to sleeping with a cat in close contact.
The multiple litter trays , spats and then marking are what worry me if I had 2 cats. A single cat is lovely but full on relationship with human house mates.
So the tonk? I love Burmese always fancied haveing a Siamese but know DH really isn't keep On the extreme looks.

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Original poster

Mimipoo · 08/07/2017 18:34

Childhood black and white liked to curl up on my pillow whilst the Burmese was under the covers. They hated each other and had massive nasty fights which is why I have never had 2 cats since them.

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ShadowHarts · 08/07/2017 18:36

I think mine is Tonkinese and he's the best thing ever. I don't know what he is exactly as he's rescue but I've never known anything like it, he will only cuddle me and my partner, no one else. He's super loyal and is allowed outdoors but has a pretty good recall! I think he would be okay with kids if he was brought up around them but he's not keen on noise and hides if any visit. His love for us makes him come out of hiding though!

Chewbecca · 08/07/2017 18:52

I have a tonk, she's the loveliest cat I've ever known, a great mix of Burmese and Siamese.

She's first very loving, cuddly and gentle. She's really friendly to all visitors receive lots of attention and most get sat on. She was always very patient with younger visitors annoying her & never once but or scratched anyone. She's very tolerant of being pulled around, sat up etc, usually just purrs through it but if it gets too much, just wanders off rather than getting stroppy. She's extremely vocal and always shouts when she comes in the house & keeps shouting til someone answers her, at which time she'll trot to see whoever answered.

Only downside is she is athletic and loves to hunt so we get many gifts.

I would find it hard to gamble on a rescue personality again as we've had lovely and rather grumpy rescues in the past. DS has said he would like to become a multi billionaire so he can clone our current puss.

MaidenMotherCrone · 08/07/2017 18:58

Siamese/Orientals really are very beautiful. Yes to the sleeping in bed with you but then so does our rescue Moggy and she gives the best good morning kisses. Siamese/Orientals have massive personalities and insist on being involved in every aspect of your life. Mine do anyway. Apologies for posting pics again but they are beautiful.

RandomlyGenerated · 09/07/2017 14:24

You need to look at the old fashioned Siamese cats - they don't have the extreme features of the new style:

www.oldstylesiamese.co.uk/

They helpfully have a page of kittens for sale ...

Original poster

Mimipoo · 10/07/2017 09:52

Oh thank you. Love all the cat photos really really cheered me up!

Are Siamese ok in a family? We are 5 humans 3 children and I would like a cat to play and snuggle with all children. I have been told Siamese bond to one person very closely?? This could cause problems and jealousy with my children. Our Burmese was a tart who slept with everyone ( often bed hopping ).

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RandomlyGenerated · 10/07/2017 10:02

My Siamese loves my younger DS (he was 4 when we got her) and spreads her favours between the two of us - and bed hops too.

GarlicCheeseBread · 10/07/2017 13:37

Tonkinese are IME great with children and are very sociable with other cats. They might get lonely on their own.
Make sure if you get a kitten that it has been socialised very well and is used to being handled by children. Some breeders don't have their cats in the house all the time, and I think it does make a difference.

Original poster

Mimipoo · 10/07/2017 14:05

I think I need to meet some tonks. I would only get from a home breeder and they absolutely must be well handled and used to children. My Burmese came from such homes and they have both been bomb proof. I am rather picky on that front. It's just knowledge of the different breeds I have. Such beautiful cats on this thread and you can see the personality in them. Any cat in this house has almost constant human company as DH often working from home and I only work part time and that's nights only. We suit the full on oriental demands well here.

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