Bringing your Tonkinese kitten home:
Tonkinese kittens may pine for his/her siblings and mother and they do not like to be locked away but rather would prefer to be a part of the family. Keep them in a warm and safe environment. Look around the room at kitten eye-level to check for places your kitten might get trapped. They are both small and curious and so they will try to explore the house thoroughly.
As Tonkinese kittens are a very sociable breed it is best to have a pair so they have company, especially if you are away from the home during the day. If your Tonkinese behaves badly it can often be to get attention. Never hit or punish bad behaviour, but rather ignore it until it stops and also reward the good behaviour.
Tonkinese kitten fun:
Your kitten needs stimulation and interaction every day. Simple household items that spark their curiosity such as boxes or paper bags will often entertain the kitten without the need for expensive cat toys. When playing with your new kitten avoid using hands or feet as they will quickly learn to attack these and, while this is cute when they are young, as they get bigger their teeth and claws get sharper. Cat scratching poles are a necessity to prevent the kitten learning to scratch on your furniture.
Feeding your Tonkinese:
Tonkinese kittens require a balance diet for their growth and development. Adult cat food lacks the necessary ingredients, so it is best to feed them a kitten food until they are approx 10-12months of age. New food should be introduced slowly so the kitten’s digestive system has time to adjust to it. Even changing brands may cause temporary bowel issues. Always provide fresh water, changing the water bowl daily. When they get older introduce treats such as chicken necks, wings and drum sticks, all chicken must be uncooked.
Tonkinese Health Care
It is good to meet with your local vet early on after bring home your kitten. Work with your vet and their advice so that you can give your kitten a long and healthy life.
Worming and flea treatment:
Regular treatments must be continued taking care to read the product labels and check with your vet regarding the regime they recommend.
Toilet Training:
If you are having issues with toilet accidents try and use the same kitty litter as the breeder and slowly substitute this kitty litter with the one you want to use. The kitten will become familiar with the new kitty litter over time. You will need to have the kitty litter easily accessible to the kitten and then slowly move it to the one area where you want the kitten to go.
Tonkinese grooming:
It is a good idea to cut nails weekly or fortnightly. Be careful when trimming nails, avoiding clipping any length of the nail that looks pale pink, because this area contains blood vessels and nerves. Only the front paws need clipping.
Cats self-clean by licking their coats although it is a good idea to brush them each week to remove any loose hair which will also decrease or prevent your cat vomiting up fur balls
Tonkinese Cat Safety
Here are a few things from around the home that can be toxic to cats. They can become very sick or possibly die.
In the garden:
- any bulb plant (especially lilliums)
- carnations
Foods to avoid:
- garlic and onions
- sultanas and grapes
- avocados
- caffeine
- chocolate
- artificial sweeteners
Bathrooms, Laundries and Garage
- panadol
- nail polish remover
- some essential oils
- bleach, fabric softners
- permethrin (chemical used in dog flea treatment)
- anti-freeze
This advice is just a courtesy and additional advice is available. If in doubt, consult your local vet.