short hair · Medium · Origin: Canada/USA (1960s-70s, Siamese × Burmese cross)
Reviewed by HypoallergenicCat Editors · Updated May 2026 · 8 min read
The Tonkinese is, biologically, what you get when you cross a Siamese with a Burmese — and behaviourally, that's exactly the cat you end up with. Less hoarse than a Siamese, more active than a Burmese, with a short mink-like single coat that sheds very little. Tonks are on most hypoallergenic shortlists because they inherit the low-shedding Siamese/Burmese coat structure, but as with every other Tier 2 breed on this site, the supporting evidence is structural (less hair = less dander in your home) rather than measured (no per-breed Fel d 1 study). Where Tonks differ from their parent breeds: they're often called the most well-adjusted of the Siamese family — chatty without being loud, attached without being clingy, energetic without being destructive.
At a glance
Tonkinese — by the numbers
Allergen level
4 / 10
Grooming needs
2 / 10
Energy level
8 / 10
Trainability
8 / 10
Price range
$800 – $1,800 USD
The science
The Tonkinese inherits the single-coat structure of both parent breeds (Siamese and Burmese), which dramatically reduces shed hair compared with double-coated cats. Less hair released into the environment means less Fel d 1-coated dander on surfaces and in the air. The breed produces the allergen normally in saliva and sebaceous glands; the benefit is reduced environmental load. The Tonkinese has not been measured individually in published allergy research, but its coat structure places it in the same low-shedding family as the Siamese and Burmese, where the mechanism is well established.
Reduced shedding lowers Fel d 1 deposition in the home environment, even when source-level allergen production is unchanged. The Tonkinese has not been measured individually, but inherits the single-coat structure of both parent breeds, which the broader hypoallergenic-breed literature consistently identifies as the practical mechanism behind reduced household allergen load.
From the community
u/Kittentanz (Siamese & Tonkinese breeder, Texas) · r/kittentanz.com · 2023
“Most of the people who inquire about our Balinese kittens are looking for a low allergy cat for their families with cat allergies. So, consider Siamese and Tonkinese and even the Burmese as choices when looking for a low allergy kitten — they all have the same low-shedding single coat.”View original on Reddit
u/Hypoallergenic Homes — Tonkinese profile · r/hypoallergenichomes.com · 2024
“Tonkinese cats are commonly listed as a hypoallergenic option for allergy sufferers because of their single, short coat and the low dander production reported by most owners. Like other 'hypoallergenic' breeds, this is not a guarantee — but for mild-to-moderate allergic households, the breed has a good track record.”View original on Reddit
u/honest_facebook_comment · r/Facebook hypoallergenic-cats group · 2024
“You need to find a breeder and spend time with the cats/kittens. Asking online whether the breed is hypoallergenic for you is not an indicator of whether you specifically will react. Allergies are individual.”View original on Reddit
Living with one
Minimal. A weekly rubber-mitt pass through the coat removes any loose hair. Bathing every 4-6 weeks reduces allergen load and is well-tolerated if introduced young. The short, close-lying coat doesn't mat or tangle.
Often described as the most well-balanced of the Siamese family. Chatty without the Siamese hoarse-throat insistence, energetic without the Bengal-level intensity, affectionate without the Burmese velcro-clinginess. Tonks learn tricks quickly, walk on harness with patience, and bond strongly to specific household members.
Long-lived (12-16 years common). Watch for amyloidosis (Siamese-family inheritance), hypokalemia (Burmese-family inheritance), and gingivitis. Reputable breeders screen for both amyloidosis and hypokalemia. Generally fewer extreme-conformation issues than either parent breed.
Apartment-friendly with vertical climbing space. Tonks handle being alone better than Siamese or Burmese, but still strongly prefer a companion cat. Two Tonkinese together is the most common recommendation from established breeders.
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We recommend reputable breeders who allow in-person visits and rescue organizations. Avoid kitten mills and breeders who won't let you meet the parents.
FAQ
Not strictly — they produce Fel d 1 normally. They are widely listed as a low-allergy option because they inherit the single-coat, low-shedding structure of both parent breeds (Siamese and Burmese), which keeps less allergen-coated dander loose in your home. No per-breed Fel d 1 study has measured Tonks specifically. Many allergic households do well with the breed; some still react. Do a multi-hour in-person visit before committing.
Body type and temperament are intermediate between Siamese and Burmese. The Tonkinese is more compact and muscular than a Siamese, less round than a Burmese; their voice is chatty but less hoarse and persistent than the classic Siamese yowl; their energy is high but more focused, less frantic. Eye colour is the breed's signature — most Tonks have aqua/turquoise eyes, distinct from Siamese deep blue or Burmese gold.
It can work, but most established breeders strongly recommend a second cat — ideally another Tonk or a Siamese-family breed. Tonks are intensely social and pair-bond exceptionally well. A single Tonk in an empty-most-of-the-day household will likely develop behaviour issues.
From a reputable CFA/TICA breeder, $800-$1,800 for a pet-quality kitten. Show-quality and rarer colours run higher. The breed has known amyloidosis and hypokalemia inheritance — legitimate breeders test both lines. Avoid 'breeders' under $500 with no documented health screening.