Tonkinese
A deliberate cross of the Burmese and Siamese, the Tonkinese blends the best of both — affectionate, playful and sociable, with a softer voice than the Siamese. Devoted and interactive. It suits homes wanting a friendly, engaged companion that thrives on company and play, and that's happiest as part of a busy household rather than left alone.
Picked for a Tonkinese
More picks ↓
Palm Tree Cat Scratching Post with Sisal Ball, 45cm
A 45cm sisal scratching post dressed as a palm tree, with a sisal scratching ball beside it and ball tracks set into the wooden base.
£22.99
Mushroom Cat Scratching Post with Ball Track and Feather
Two sisal scratching posts, one shaped like a mushroom, on a wooden base with a two-level ball track, hanging pom-poms and a feather on a spring.
£25.99
L-Shaped Cardboard Cat Scratcher with Ball Track, 58cm
An L-shaped scratcher with a 58cm upright cardboard panel, a flat cardboard base to stand or lie on, and two tracks with bell balls between them.
£20.99
140cm Cat Tree Tower with Condo, Hammock and Ladder, Grey
A 139cm grey cat tree with an enclosed condo, a hammock, a top lookout perch, a ladder and sisal-wrapped posts, on a 50 x 35cm base.
£49.99
Overview
A deliberate cross of the Burmese and Siamese, the Tonkinese blends the best of both — affectionate, playful and sociable, with a softer voice than the Siamese. Devoted and interactive. It suits homes wanting a friendly, engaged companion that thrives on company and play, and that's happiest as part of a busy household rather than left alone.
Good to know — a Tonkinese is devoted lap cat and needs constant company. Every cat is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Tonkinese is devoted lap cat and excellent with children of all ages. They tend to be talkative and needs constant company. As with any cat, give them space to retreat, teach children to handle them gently, and introduce them to a new home calmly.
- Families with respectful children
- People who want a cuddly companion
- Homes where someone is around often
Energy & play
A Tonkinese is generally high energy. They need plenty of daily play, climbing and enrichment — wand toys, puzzle feeders and tall cat trees help burn off that energy and prevent boredom.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is wash-and-go and shedding is low. The coat is generally easy to care for; an occasional brush keeps it tidy and cuts down loose hair. All cats benefit from regular nail checks and a clean, quiet place to groom themselves.
Cat grooming brushes for this coat →Feeding a Tonkinese
Cats are obligate carnivores, so a Tonkinese should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced cat food appropriate for its life stage — this provides essential nutrients like taurine that cats can only get from animal products. Portion to your cat’s ideal body weight and activity to avoid weight gain, and provide plenty of fresh water. Treats should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
A complete cat food, first
Cats are obligate carnivores and need nutrients — taurine among them — that they cannot make for themselves, which is what "complete" on a label means and why it is not optional. Treats should stay under about 10% of the day's calories.
An active cat
Tonkineses are high-energy and do better on several small meals than one big one — cats are grazers by design. A puzzle feeder or a portion hidden around the room turns eating back into hunting.
Water intake is the thing to watch
Cats evolved to take most of their water from prey and are not naturally big drinkers, so wet food does real work here. A fountain or a second bowl away from the food helps too.
Complete cat foods that suit a Tonkinese
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Tonkinese and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Whiskas 1+ Salmon Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete salmon dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Felix as Good as It Looks Meaty Selection in Jelly
Twelve 85G pouches of chunks in jelly, in a selection built for a cat who changes its mind
£5.79
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food Turkey
A grain-free turkey dry food for adult cats, with potato rather than rice or wheat for carbohydrate
£24.65
James Wellbeloved Kitten Dry Cat Food Fish
Single-protein fish dry food for growing kittens, excluding common allergens
£21.79
James Wellbeloved Senior Dry Cat Food Turkey
A single-source turkey dry food for senior cats, formulated with added joint-care ingredients
From£21.79
James Wellbeloved Light Adult Dry Cat Food Fish
A lower-calorie fish dry food for adult cats managing their weight, with joint-support ingredients
£24.65
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Bella & Duke Cat Complete Chicken
A complete raw chicken meal for kittens, adult and senior cats, 98% chicken. Frozen 250g tub.
£3.65
James Wellbeloved Hairball Adult Dry Cat Food Turkey
Single-protein turkey dry food for cats, with natural fibres to reduce hairballs
£24.65
James Wellbeloved Kitten Dry Cat Food Turkey
A single-source turkey dry food for growing kittens, with rice for carbohydrate rather than wheat
£21.79
Purina One Kitten Chicken
Chicken kitten food with added DHA, and a feeding guide from 6 weeks to a year
From£6.65
Pros & cons
The good bits
- Loving and sociable, brilliant with children and a real lap companion
- Easy-care short coat with low grooming needs
Things to consider
- Talkative and attention-seeking — not a quiet or hands-off cat
- Dislikes being left alone and is happiest with company or a feline friend
Similar breeds
Maine Coon
One of the largest domestic breeds — a gentle giant that is sociable, intelligent and known for soft chirps and trills.
View breed guide →Siamese
A sleek, intelligent and intensely people-focused breed that is famously talkative and forms strong bonds.
View breed guide →Sphynx
A hairless, warm-skinned and famously affectionate breed that is sociable, attention-seeking and full of character.
View breed guide →Russian Blue
A reserved, elegant breed with a dense blue-grey coat — devoted to its own people but quiet and a little shy with strangers.
View breed guide →Frequently asked questions
What is a Tonkinese cat?
The Tonkinese is a medium-sized, muscular cat created by crossing the Siamese and the Burmese. It blends the traits of both: the sleek look and sociability of the Siamese with the rounder, sturdier build and easy-going nature of the Burmese, producing an affectionate, playful companion.
What is the difference between a Tonkinese and a Siamese?
The Tonkinese descends partly from the Siamese but is stockier and more muscular, with softer contrasts in its coat rather than the Siamese's sharp dark points. Tonkinese often have striking aqua eyes, whereas Siamese have deep blue. Temperamentally the Tonkinese is similar but usually a touch less loud and intense.
What is the Tonkinese 'mink' coat?
The classic Tonkinese coat is the 'mink' pattern, a soft, blended halfway point between the Siamese's pointed pattern and the Burmese's solid colour. Tonkinese also come in 'pointed' and 'solid' variations, and in several colours such as natural, blue, champagne, lilac and more.
What colours do Tonkinese cats come in?
Tonkinese are bred in a range of colours, commonly natural (brown), blue, champagne and lilac, among others. The body shows a paler shade with subtly darker points on the face, ears, legs and tail. Eye colour ranges from aqua in mink cats to blue or gold depending on the coat pattern.
What is the Tonkinese temperament like?
Tonkinese are affectionate, lively and highly people-focused. They love company, play and being involved in everything their household does, and many enjoy fetch-style games. Like their Siamese and Burmese ancestors they are talkative and dislike being left alone for long periods.
Are Tonkinese cats good family pets?
Yes. Their friendly, sociable nature usually makes them excellent with children and other pets, and they often bond closely with the whole family. Because they crave interaction, they suit busy households or homes with another companion animal rather than long hours of solitude.
How much grooming and care do Tonkinese need?
Their short, close coat is easy to maintain and needs only occasional brushing to keep it glossy. Beyond that, Tonkinese require the standard care of any cat: a balanced diet, fresh water, vaccinations, parasite prevention and regular veterinary check-ups. They are an active breed that appreciates plenty of play and stimulation.
Are Tonkineses good with children?
Excellent with children of all ages. As a general guide they are tolerant and sociable in a family home. Always teach children to handle cats gently and give the cat space to retreat.
Are Tonkineses affectionate?
Devoted lap cat. Tonkineses typically love close company and lap time.
Are Tonkineses vocal?
Talkative. They like to "talk" and will often let you know how they feel.
How much grooming does a Tonkinese need?
Wash-and-go; shedding is low. The coat is generally easy to care for with the occasional brush.
Can Tonkineses be left alone?
Needs constant company. They strongly prefer company and can become stressed or lonely if left for long periods — a feline companion or a less empty house suits them better.
Are Tonkineses energetic or playful?
High energy. They need plenty of daily play, climbing and enrichment to stay happy.
Recommended for your Tonkinese
Picked for a Tonkinese — with their typical need for fresh-water options, a cosy bed, scratching posts.
Cat Face Cardboard Accordion Scratcher Toy with Bell Ball
A small corrugated cardboard scratcher that stretches like an accordion into a tunnel or a ring, with a cat face on each end and a bell ball to chase.
£9.99
Scratch & Play Cat Set
A mushroom scratching post with ball track and feather plus an L-shaped cardboard scratcher with its own ball track.
£42.49
Scratch Post & Lounger
A palm-tree sisal scratching post and a cardboard lounge box with five reversible pads to scratch and nap on.
£39.49
Bestpets Sleep & Play Cat Scratcher
A combined scratching post and plush bed in one compact, space-saving design
£23.99
Suggestions based on breed traits — always check sizing and suitability for your individual cat.
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Every cat is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet cats in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet.