By Straits Singapuras - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64007498
The Singapura is known as the smallest domestic cat in the world!
History
The history of the Singapura cat is a controversial subject. It was believed for years that couple Tommy and Hal Meadow visited Singapore and brought three small brown ticked cats back to the United States. Later, it was thought that the Singapura breed was a cross between a Burmese and an Abyssinian and was bred by Meadow in the US. Although, neither is true! Tommy Meadow herself wrote a piece on the breed’s true history. She states that her husband, Hal acquired a few cats during his travels. Tommy (a genetic enthusiast) fell in love with the cats and their brown ticked coat and decided to breed them.
The Meadows later moved to Singapore. During the move, the cats were imported.
In 1982, the breed was registered by the CFA and gained championship status in 1988.
Appearance & Physical Traits
The Singapura breed is most commonly realized by their unique coat of brown ticked fur, large, round eyes, and petite, muscular frame.
The breed typically weighs between 4-8 lbs (2-4 kg) and stands at about 6-8 inches in height, making them the smallest domestic cat breed in the world.
Their eyes are commonly green, yellow, or hazel.
Personality & Behavior
The Singapura is a small cat with a big personality! They are energetic, playful, friendly, social, and attention-seeking. These little guys aren’t afraid to steal the spotlight!
They’re also quite vocal and intelligent.
The breed generally gets along well with other cats, dogs, and children if properly introduced.
Health & Care
The breed is generally healthy, although there are specific health problems some Singapuras face (this isn’t written in stone–your cat may never experience these issues). These include:
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD)
- Uterine inertia (your cat won’t have to worry about this if she is spayed)
- Renal failure
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes
The last three listed are common in all cat breeds.
Singapuras only shed moderately, therefore require minimal grooming (once a week is optimal).
It’s important to brush your cat’s teeth daily to prevent rotting and decay.
Trimming your cat’s nails every 2-3 weeks is also beneficial for your cat.
The Singapura requires exercise, mental stimulation, and tons of attention!
Quick Facts:
- The Singapura has a lifespan of 11-15 years.
- The breed is known to have very small litters, consisting of only 2-3 kittens on average.
- “Drain Cat” and “Kucinta Cat” are both nicknames for the Singapura.
- They are easily frightened by loud noises.
Works Cited
Braaksma, Hilary, “Singapura Cat Breed Information & Characteristics,” Daily Paws,
https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/singapura
Meadow, Tommy, “The Singapura Cat–Breed History,” The Singapura Cat,
http://www.zen89052.zen.co.uk/Singapuracat/history.htm
Puisis, Erica, “Singapura: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care,” The Spruce Pets,
https://www.thesprucepets.com/singapura-cat-breed-profile-5114523
“Singapura Cat Breed: Personality & Information,” Hill’s Pet,
https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/singapura?lightboxfired=true