Cat breed Singapura cat

Profile

ORIGINSingapore

APPEARANCE Small cat with a compact, muscular body and almond-shaped eyes

WEIGHTFemale 2.0 to 3.0 kg, male 3.0 to 4.0 kg

COATShort-haired, close-fitting, silky, hardly any undercoat

PATTERNTicking (sepia agouti), each hair tip has several colour rings

COLOUR Base colour ivory, brown ticked tabby

EYESGold, green, amber-coloured

CHARACTERSerious, playful, people-orientated

SPECIAL FEATUREThe smallest cat breed in the world

ACTIVITY

History of the Singapura cat

The history and provenance of the Singapura cat is the subject of controversy. Although it emerged and was recognised as an independent breed in the 1970s, its exact origins remain a mystery to this day. In fact, DNA studies show that the Singapura is genetically almost identical to the Burmese. This naturally raises the question of where the cat comes from. In Singapore, the Singapura is called “Kucinta”, which means “cat of love”. Ultimately, true cat lovers won’t care whether the Singapura is a Singaporean street cat or a purebred, because the charm and elegance of these felines make them unique and utterly adorable!

Appearance of the Singapura cat

The Singapura is an instantly recognisable cat. With its small, compact yet elegant body, it appears both strong and graceful at the same time. The Singapura’s large, almond-shaped eyes are one of its most special features. They shine in beautiful colours, such as green, gold or amber, and seem to look straight into your soul! The Singapura’s short, silky coat is a warm brown colour with ticked-tabby markings. This coat looks particularly exotic in the light. Taken as a whole, the Singapura is a small cat with big charisma!

Size of the Singapura cat

With a shoulder height of around 20 cm and a body length of 30 to 35 cm, the Singapura cat is one of the smallest cat breeds in the world. Female Singapura cats are somewhat smaller and more petite, while their male counterparts appear larger due to their slightly stronger build. Despite their size, they appear very compact and powerful. The slender, medium-length tail is the perfect finish to the fascinating look of the Singapura cat.

Weight of the Singapura cat

The Singapura is one of the most petite cat breeds – a genuine lightweight. Females of this breed usually weigh only 2 to 3 kg, while males are somewhat heavier at 3 to 4 kg. However, this low weight is deceptive: despite their delicate stature, Singapura cats are muscular and full of energy! Their mixture of lightness and strength is perfect for anyone who loves cats that have both elegance and agility!

Coat of the Singapura cat

The Singapura cat’s fur is wonderfully soft and smooth. It’s short, silky and lies close to the body – almost like a tailor-made suit! The brown ticked tabby pattern is especially unique, as each hair has several rings of colour. Their shimmering coat colour gives them an elegant look and an extra dose of exotic flair. Singapura cats have hardly any undercoat, which makes grooming uncomplicated. Occasional brushing is enough to keep them in top condition.

Coat colour of the Singapura cat

The eye-catching coat of the Singapura cat has a unique colour known as sepia agouti. Each individual hair is a small work of art, captivating onlookers with beautiful colour facets that give their coat a vibrant, shimmering look. The base colour is a delicate ivory, which harmonises perfectly with the brown ticked tabby and gives these pedigree cats a very special charm. This elegant colouring makes Singapura cats very special and a feast for the eyes of every observer!

Coat length of the Singapura cat

The Singapura’s coat is short, silky and lies close to the body, making it the perfect cat for fans of low-maintenance felines. The short coat highlights the Singapura’s elegant contours and lithe stature particularly well. Despite the fineness of the fur, the Singapura’s coat has a shimmering lustre that accentuates the exotic charm of this smallest-ever cat breed.

Coat pattern of the Singapura cat

The coat of the Singapura cat is a true highlight: it has a rare ticked tabby pattern in which each individual hair has several rings of colour. This is rarer than the well-known classic tabby, mackerel tabby and spotted tabby patterns. The result is a beautiful, elegant reflection, reminiscent of a delicate play of light and shadow. No stripes, no spots, just harmony! Ticked tabby is particularly popular in breeds such as the Singapura and the Abyssinian, where it is selectively bred. This pattern makes these felines a touch more elegant than other breeds that have a coat with no markings!

Eyes of the Singapura cat

The eyes of the Singapura cat are a sight to behold! They are large, almond-shaped and glow in a green, gold or amber colour. Their intense gaze reflects their gentle and curious nature, almost as if they could read minds. Cat lovers adore these expressive eyes, which are not only pretty to look at but also enhance their excellent hunting skills together with their whiskers!

Special features of the Singapura cat

Singapura cats impress onlookers with their beauty but also with their unique characteristics. As the smallest cat breed in the world,¹ they often weigh no more than 3 kg and are delicate yet strong. Their curious, sparkling, almond-shaped eyes and warm sepia agouti coat give them a distinct elegance. These cats are incredibly sociable, affectionate and always happy to be at the centre of the action. They are real treasures for anyone who wants to build a close bond with a furry friend.

¹ Source: Wikipedia – Die freie Enzyklopädie (21 Oct. 2024): “Singapura”, online at Singapura – Wikipedia, accessed on 11 Dec. 2024

Key attributes of the Singapura cat

Singapura cats are miracles in miniature form! With their petite stature, shoulder height of around 20 cm and weight of just 2 to 4 kg, Singapuras are considered the smallest cat breed in the world. The warm sepia agouti tone of their silky, short-haired coat shimmers elegantly in the light. Their large, almond-shaped eyes in green, gold or amber always look interested. Every movement is vibrant and graceful – simply unmistakable and beautiful to look at!

Character of the Singapura cat

The Singapura cat may be small, but it has a big character! These cats are outgoing, playful and love to explore their surroundings. They’re eager to be involved in everything happening around them. As highly social kitties, they are incredibly people-orientated and develop a close bond with their housemates. With their charming, gentle nature and their desire to always be in the thick of things, the Singapura cat instantly conquers every heart!

Price of the Singapura cat

The Singapura cat is one of the rarest and thus most valuable cat breeds in the world. Fans of pedigree cats usually pay between €1,200 and €1,800 for a purebred Singapura kitten from a reputable breeder. Among the things that should definitely be included in this price are health checks, up-to-date vaccinations and official documentation. Choosing a trustworthy breeder is crucial, as there are many black sheep out there – especially when it comes to rare and expensive breeds. Some of them even prioritise profit over the animals’ welfare! Dubious breeders often skimp on healthcare provision, breeding standards and species-appropriate husbandry. Sometimes they even ignore how much the breeding animals and kittens suffer.

Breeding the Singapura cat

The breeding of the Singapura cat is as mysterious as the cat itself. The process is said to have started with three cats – two females and one male – that were brought to the U.S. from Singapore in the 1970s. These cats are considered to be the progenitors of the breed, and their characteristics – the petite size, the sepia agouti coat and the people-orientated character – were subsequently developed further through targeted breeding. The breed was officially recognised in the U.S. in 1982, followed by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFé) in 2014. Since then, however, DNA tests revealed a close genetic relationship of the Singapura to the Burmese cat, meaning that the ancestry of their progenitors remains a mystery to this day.

Things to know about keeping and caring for the Singapura cat

Singapura cats are uncomplicated to keep and care for, but they really like to have company. They need a lot of love and attention and are therefore particularly suitable for cat lovers who are able to devote a lot of time to their feline friends. Keeping a Singapura cat as an only cat is not ideal – they thrive in multi-cat households and side-by-side with playful flatmates. Their short, silky-smooth coat is easy to care for, and occasional brushing is all that’s needed. Most important for them is that they have a loving home where they can live out their natural curiosity and instinct to play.

Singapura Kitten

Like all kittens Singapura kittens are little charmers that are constantly setting out on adventurous journeys with their energetic and playful nature. They display their lively character and thirst for knowledge from an early age, and their fluffy fur and big, bright eyes make them entirely irresistible! For these kittens to feel at home, they need lots of attention and an environment where they can play and run around. They’re also going to need safe spaces to retreat to and rest after putting on their entertaining show.

Typical diseases of the Singapura cat

The Singapura is a robust cat. However, as with many cat breeds, it is susceptible to diseases typical to this breed. One known disease is PK deficiency (pyruvate kinase deficiency) ² , a hereditary blood disorder that can lead to anaemia. If you’re interested in acquiring a Singapura cat, you should be aware that there may be a genetic predisposition that you’ll need take into account. It’s advisable to inform yourself beforehand and, if you already have a Singapura, to have regular preventive check-ups.

² Source: Tierarzt Karlsruhe – Kleintierzentrum Arndt (2024): “Pyruvatkinase-Defizienz bei Katzen”, online at Pyruvatkinase-Defizienz bei Katzen – Kleintierzentrum Arndt, accessed on 13 Dec. 2024

Life expectancy of the Singapura cat

PK deficiency is an inherited metabolic disorder that leads to anaemia in cats. Life expectancy depends on the severity of the deficiency: some cats live almost normal lives with minimal symptoms, while others can be severely affected.

How can you help affected cats?

Tips for cats with PK deficiency:

Vet visits: regular blood tests to check for anaemia.

Avoid stress: create a calm environment

High-quality nutrition: protein-rich food and supplements if necessary.

Prevent infections: vaccinations and parasite control

Rest: Make sure your cat doesn’t overexert itself with too much activity.Emergency management: Act immediately if you notice any symptoms such as weakness or pale mucous membranes.

Frequently asked questions about the Singapura cat

How much does a Singapura cat cost?

A Singapura cat from a reputable breeder will cost between €1,200 and €1,800. The exact price will depend on the pedigree, breeding line and overall cost of breeding them. Reputable providers will guarantee up-to-date health checks, vaccinations and papers. If possible, also make sure to check the breeding conditions as well!

How old do Singapura cats get?

Singapura cats live to an average age of 12 to 15 years. With good care and a balanced diet, healthy Singapuras can live even longer. Responsible breeding and regular health checks are important to rule out possible hereditary diseases.

What does a Singapura cat look like?

Singapura cats are small and delicate, with a shoulder height of around 20 cm. They have a silky, short sepia agouti coat (light brown with a ticked pattern) and large, bright eyes in green, gold or amber. Their compact, graceful build is unmistakable.

How big do Singapura cats get?

The Singapura cat is one of the smallest cat breeds in the world. It reaches a shoulder height of around 20 cm and a body length of 30 to 35 cm. The Singapura may be small in stature, but it’s a big adventurer and a brave daredevil! It has the self-confidence of a huge lion!

When are Singapura cats fully grown?

The Singapura cat will be fully grown at 12 to 16 months, but their small body size and low weight remain characteristic throughout their entire lives. Despite their petite appearance, these furry tigers develop a muscular and compact physique.

Should the Singapura cat be kept indoors or outdoors?

Singapura cats feel at home indoors and in the common living area. These are people-orientated cats who love company, so it’s absolutely fine to keep them indoors. For variety, you can offer them a secure balcony or a garden area to play in, but make sure they’ll be protected from any dangers they might face outside.

Where does the Singapura cat come from?

The name “Singapura” means “Singapore” in the Malay language and points to the cat’s origin. In Singapore itself, the cat is affectionately called “Kucinta”, a combination of the Malay words “kucing” (cat) and “cinta” (love). This translates to “cat of love” and underscores Singaporeans’ affection for the breed.

Are Singapura cats playful?

The Singapura cat is very playful! It loves to explore its surroundings, play with toys and romp around with its fellow felines. The curiosity of these cats makes them lively and entertaining companions who enjoy being an active part of family life.

Which cat breeds are suitable playmates for the Singapura cat?

The perfect match for a Singapura cat would be a social and playful cat that shares its active lifestyle. Cat breeds such as Abyssinian and the Burmese often harmonise quite well, because these cats are similarly curious and people-oriented. Even more important than the breed, however, is that the personality of each individual cat matches the other.

How active are Singapura cats?

Singapura cats are very active and curious. They love to climb, play and explore their environment. Despite their high energy levels, however, they’re not crazy whirlwinds: instead, they’re well-balanced cats that often seek the company and companionship of flatmates. They’re perfect for anyone who likes lively but social cats!

Can Singapuras be kept alone as only cats?

Singapura cats are very social and people-orientated, so keeping them alone in a home is not ideal. These cats will only thrive in the company of other cats or with lots of attention from their human owners. If you don’t have much time to spend with your Singapura, you should consider finding a playmate for them.

Are Singapura cats sociable?

Singapura cats are very sociable. They love to be around people and other cats and always want to be part of family life. Their social nature makes them ideal residents in households where they can spend a lot of time with people – if possible, they’ll always want to be at the centre of attention!

Is the Singapura cat susceptible to disease?

The Singapura cat is considered robust but is susceptible to PK deficiency, a genetic blood disorder that can lead to anaemia. Some cats with this condition can live almost normal lives and show only minimal symptoms, while others can be severely affected.

What are the key characteristics of the Singapura?

Singapura cats are petite, with a shoulder height of around 20 cm and a weight of 2 to 4 kg. Their fur is short, silky and has a unique pattern. Their large, almond-shaped eyes come in green, gold and amber and their elegant build is quite eye-catching.

Which is the smallest pedigree cat?

Although the Munchkin cat might look smaller due to its short legs, it is not the lightest and smallest pedigree cat overall. This title belongs to the Singapura: it is smaller, lighter and officially recognised as the smallest breed of cat.