Tonkinese cat is not an original naturally occurring breed, but it is a product of human breed intervention. It is a pedigree of both Siamese and Burmese and is now considered as “true breed” which means it is already bred to produce its breed. Its life expectancy can reach up to 15years and if lucky up to 18years. Body conformation of a Tonkinese is relatively small but heavy due to its body mass that consists of mainly lean muscle. Although its body conformation is better than other breeds, this does not mean that it is less prone to obesity and other nutritional health issues.
Obesity in Pets
Obesity affects nearly all breeds from all pet species. It is always present but is also very avoidable depending on how you take care of the pet. It is mainly connected to diet and nutrition with a small hint of regular exercise. This is due to overfeeding, giving too many treats, and less to no exercise. Obesity causes many different complications like diabetes which in return lessen the Tonkinese cat’s life. Thus, importantly as a fur parent, you need to always monitor your cat’s weight.
Nutritional Health Issues
Aside from obesity, cats can acquire various nutritional issues that can affect their overall health. Nutritional health issues as the name implies are issues in health that are mainly focused and caused by nutritional health or poor diet. Examples are nutrient deficiencies, UTIs, Hyperparathyroidism, bladder problems, and many other common nutritional diseases in cats. For detailed information on nutritional diseases in cats visit tonkinese.net.
Poor Diet on Tonkinese Lifespan
Obesity and some other common nutritional health issues are due to poor diet either by deficiency or too much of something. This can affect the lifespan and expectancy of a Tonkinese cat. So, before you ask how long do Tonkinese cats live, you need to know first how to avoid health issues caused by poor diet.
Regular Exercise – Like humans, Tonks need exercise too. Not only does it help in their motor skills and have fun, but it can also help them prevent from being obese or aids them to lose weight.
Complete and Balanced Meal – Not all cat foods have complete and balanced nutrients, so you need to ensure that the food you buy or make is complete with the nutrients needed in their diet to achieve healthy growth.
Lessen Treats – Treats usually cause obesity if taken too much. So as a fur parent, you need to keep in mind to give treats in moderation.
Know Possible Food Allergies or Intolerances – Food allergies and intolerances can happen in Tonkinese like any other household pets. You need to observe every possible food allergies or intolerances with each new food given. This is to ensure that your pet is always safe and avoid such food that causes allergies in the future.
Regular Vet Visit – Veterinarians are your first line of defense when everything seems too complicated to understand. With regular checkups, you will know the overall health of your pet and possibly detect future illness. They can also advise you on the right actions for your pet's well-being.
Therefore, you should not take for granted every food given or served to your Tonkinese for it can affect their overall health either positively or worse negatively.