Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat

With just a quick look, it may be pretty difficult to see differences between the Tonkinese cat vs. Siamese cat. They’re actually closely related, and they look fairly similar. However, we’re about to give you a rundown of the differences between Tonkinese and Siamese cats. Once you’re done reading this article, you will fairly easily be able to tell them apart and also know more about their appearances, personalities, and backgrounds. If you’re considering adding one of these cats to your family, it is good to know these differences. This way, you can figure out which one would suit you best!

Comparing Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat

Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat: Key Differences

The Tonkinese and Siamese cats are fairly similar. This makes a lot of sense, considering that the Tonkinese cat is a crossbreed between the Siamese and Burmese cats. Any given Tonkinese cat can take after either its Siamese or Burmese parent. However, many people would say that these cats tend to resemble their Burmese parents more.

On average, the Tonkinese cat tends to be slightly smaller than the Siamese cat. Additionally, the Tonkinese cat does not have the same distinctive color patterns as its Siamese parent.

Additionally, while the Siamese cat originated in Thailand, the Tonkinese cat as we know it today originated centuries later in North America. This was a result of breeders wanting a cross between the Siamese and Burmese cats.

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Let’s learn more about these differences now!

Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat: Size

Both of these cats can be up to 15 inches long and weigh up to 14 pounds. However, the Tonkinese cat is more likely to be a bit smaller, typically only weighing up to 12 pounds.

The Tonkinese male cat is usually between 8 and 10 inches tall, and the female is between 7 and 10 inches tall. The Siamese cat is slightly taller, with the male being 11 to 13 inches in height, and the female being 10 to 13 inches.

Even though the difference is subtle, you can see that the Tonkinese is a slightly smaller cat than its Siamese parent.

Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat: Appearance

Given that the Tonkinese cat is the child of the Siamese cat, it makes sense that the breeds look somewhat similar. However, there are subtle differences.

Tonkinese cats lack the distinctive color points that Siamese cats have. They are either one solid color or a mink color with medium contrast. These cats have short and silky fur. The fur can be different shades of blue, cream, champagne, or beige, with red, cinnamon, or light brown color points. They also tend to shed somewhat more than their Siamese parents.

The color patterns on Siamese cats are more pronounced, and they can have faces that are blue, lilac, or chocolate, with cream, apricot, caramel, cinnamon, tabby, or other somewhat light colors on the rest of the body.

Tonkinese cats tend to be a bit smaller than Siamese cats on average. They also have rounder heads and smaller ears than their Siamese parents. 

Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat: Ancestry and Breeding

The Tonkinese and Siamese cats are somewhat different. Obviously, the Siamese cat is the older breed, since it is a parent to the Tonkinese cat.

The Siamese cat lived in Thailand, then known as Siam, for centuries before it was first transported to England in the late 1800s. This cat is believed to be one of the oldest cat breeds in existence. In fact, it was described in the Thai manuscript “Tamra Maew,” which was written between the 14th and 18th centuries. These cats were coveted by royal families.

The Tonkinese cat is a cross between the Siamese cat and the Burmese cat. It is believed that this cat existed in previous centuries as well, as it was imported to England in the early 1800s and referred to as the “Chocolate Siamese.” 

However, the modern Tonkinese cat that we know today found its beginnings in the 1960s and 1970s. Breeders in North America wanted a new breed of cat that was a happy medium between the extremes of the Burmese and Siamese cats. They also wanted to create a cat with intermediate coloring and aqua eyes.

The Tonkinese cat was first recognized in Canada, and it was accepted for championship status in 1984 by the Cat Fanciers Association. This is the first feline breed with aqua eyes. 

Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat: Behavior

It can be hard to notice real differences in the personalities and behaviors of the Tonkinese and Siamese cats. They are both affectionate and like human contact, for example.

However, Siamese cats tend to be much more vocal, and Tonkinese cats are generally more docile. The meow of a Siamese cat is very high-pitched, and some would compare it to a crying baby. Siamese cats need a little bit more attention than Tonkinese cats do. Tonkinese cats are also probably more compatible with other pets and children than their Siamese parents are. 

Both of these cats are very intelligent. They can be destructive in the home if they aren’t provided with adequate stimulation. Also, while Tonkinese cats tend to be friendly to strangers, Siamese cats are relatively reserved until they get to know the person better. 

Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat: Health

Siamese and Tonkinese cats share fairly similar genetics, so they tend to suffer from similar conditions as well. They tend to be more prone to heart and liver disease, gum disease, asthma, hyperesthesia syndrome, and lymphoma than other cats.

Siamese cats are also prone to progressive retinal atrophy. Tonkinese cats are more likely to suffer from cystitis, feline asthma, and hyperthyroidism. 

However, both of these breeds live fairly long lives, and as a whole, they are typically very healthy. In order to make sure that your cat lives a long, happy, and healthy life, make sure that you take him or her to the vet on a regular basis.

Tonkinese vs. Siamese Cat: Lifespan

Another difference between the Tonkinese and Siamese cats involves their lifespans. On average, the Tonkinese cat lives a little bit longer than the Siamese cat. The Tonkinese cat generally lives between 10 and 16 years, while the Siamese cat is more likely to live between 8 and 15 years. However, it isn’t rare for either of these cats to live to be 20 years old!

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