Singapura Cat Breed

History

This beautiful cat breed originates from Singapore in SouthEast Asia. This is where the ticked coat pattern and dark brown colour are a common local combination. It is also recognized as the original gene pool for ticked tabbies.

It is said that Singapura cats were developed from three street cats found in Singapore by cat fanciers Tommy and Hal Meadow in the 1970s. These cats were the foundation of the pedigreed Singapura breed. However, cats like them had possibly lived in Southeast Asia for at least a decade, if not longer.

Brown cats and cats with ticked or agouti coats are common in the region, and there is also a possible connection between Siamese and Burmese cats. The ticked tabby gene is superior to all other tabby patterns, which can be frequently seen in Southeast Asian cats.

Small cats with brown-ticked coats have been identified in Singapore since 1965. It is believed that the first Singapura cats bred by the Meadows may have resulted from matings between cats with the Burmese gene and the Abyssinian ticked tabby gene.

This tiny feline was accepted as a breed by TICA in 1979, by CFA in 1982, then being granted championship status in 1988. The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board adopted the Singapura in 1990 as the island nation’s mascot for tourism purposes.

In 2008, a DNA study showed little to no difference genetically between the Singapura and the Burmese.

Appearance

Singapura cats are known for being micro-sized compared to common house cats. It takes up to two years to reach their full, mature size, and even adult cats only end up weighing between 1.8 to 3.6kg. The Singapura’s size is not their only distinctive trait; they have large ears and large, round eyes that can be green, hazel, or yellow.

Singapura cat’s coats come in one colour called sepia agouti. “Sepia agouti” is fundamentally an extravagant name for a ticked tabby pattern, cream-coloured fur, with dark brown spots over light. These cats have short, smooth hair, darkly tipped rounded tails, and are lighter near their muzzles, chests, and stomachs.

These amazing cats are the smallest cat breed and do not develop fully mature until they are almost two years old. Veterinarians who are unacquainted with the cat breed may be concerned that they are underweight or have stunted grunt, but it is normal and healthy for them to remain tiny.

They have rounded heads, with its most noticeable features their large, dazzlingly coloured eyes and their large ears set just off the parallel giving these cats a very alert expression. Their compact bodies are powerful, enabling them to race to their next adventure using their sturdy medium-boned long legs. W

The Singapura cat’s short coats do not shed; however, they are not hypoallergenic. Their skin has a bit of dander, which may aggravate owners with allergies. Though their short coats do not help avert allergens, they are substantially easier to care for than many other cat breeds.

Personality

The Singapura may be small, but this cat breed does not lack character. They are an inquisitive, brilliant, and playful cat breed that blooms on the attention of their family. Singapura cats are muscular, have high-energy levels and enjoy climbing and exploring. This cat breed wants to be in the middle of the action and is ready to play as soon as you throw some toys in their direction.

Because of their size, don’t be fooled by this small cat for being timid as the Singapura is recognized as a powerhouse. They are active cats and fast learners, always on the go and searching for places to discover and explore and things to do.

They are not considered couch potatoes and thrive from regular interaction. Some are very vocal and they like to use their “voice” to converse. They like to go inside drawers, closets, cupboards and desire to access high places like the top of the furniture or shelves.

The Singapura is gregarious and can generally get along with everyone, including children, other cats, and dogs. While very energetic, they also love spending time on their human companion’s laps or shoulders and they stay as close as possible to them when they are resting. Singapuras also do best in the company of another cat.

The small Singapura cat has a cute little voice. But this playful and active cat makes their presence known in many ways, like tap dancing on keyboards, chasing small balls down the hall, climbing on curtains, or jumping on your shoulder as you walk. They retain this playfulness well into their adulthood.

Singapura cats love people and are not shy about meeting them. They love to sleep close to their humans, so they make an excellent bed warmer on cold nights. Despite their busy nature, they are a gentle feline companion who will put aside their activities to keep you company. The Singapura cat thrives best in a household where they will have plenty of company, either from their human companion or another animal.

Like other cat breeds, the Singapura appreciates routines and doesn't particularly like it when there are changes for any reason. They want to be fed at the same time every day and don't like it when any of the furniture gets moved. With this being said, they are recognized to be natural extroverts that prosper with human company. They usually follow their human companion around their home to see what they are up to.

Trainability

Singapuras are brilliant and adore the love and attention that comes with being clicker-trained and taught tricks. Challenge their intelligence and keep them attentive by teaching them games and tricks. Give them puzzle toys that will reward them with treats or kibbles when they learn how to manipulate them.

Singapuras do not like loud noises and can get scared if they hear a random loud sound. So, keep this in mind if you live in a noisy area, have children prone to screaming, or a pet dog that frequently barks. To prevent anxiety around noises, it's best to socialise them to many different sounds from an early age.

When a Singapura is efficiently socialised and trained at an early stage, they will grow up to be a well-rounded and well-mannered cat. They are very social and affectionate cats that get deeply devoted to members of their family.

Coat & Care

Singapuras shed sparsely and need very little grooming. Brush their coat once every one to two weeks. Bathing should be occasional if at all as Singapuras do a great job of keeping themselves clean.

Ideally, brushing their teeth daily is best; however, weekly brushing is good enough. This can help prevent tooth and gum disease. Trim their nails twice a month or when needed. To keep their eyes clean and healthy, wipe the corners regularly with a clean, soft, damp cloth, removing any dirt or discharge. Make sure to use a different part of the clean cloth for each eye to avoid the risk of spreading any infection.

Remove dirt, debris and wax every week to ensure their ears won’t develop any infection. Use a cotton ball and a vet-approved ear cleanser to clean their ears. If it has a foul odour, contact your vet for treatment.

Like many other cat breeds, Singapuras are very particular about their bathroom hygiene. So, it is best to keep their litter boxes clean. This is also to help keep their coat clean of dirt and debris from a dirty litter box. Plus, if it is left unclean, they may start to use other places in the house.

Health

Singapuras are generally a healthy cat breed. Their life expectancy is between nine to fifteen years with proper care, exercise, and a high-quality diet. However, there are two potential genetic conditions that have been discovered in the cat breed.

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD) - A genetic disease caused by a deficiency of an enzyme essential for red blood cell energy metabolism.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) - A genetic disorder that causes degeneration and atrophy (loss or wasting) of the retina This can decrease quality of vision and in some cases, lead to blindness.

Because of these two health concerns, it is vital to only buy a Singapura cat from a registered and reputable breeder who runs DNA health checks on their cats and kittens. Avoid any breeder who does not do this or who refuses to show you the results.

Children & Other Pets

Singapuras are playful and smart. They can be an excellent companion to a child who treats them politely and with respect. They are one of those cat breeds that loves playing fetch and learning tricks. Their energy level is high, which means they would wear out before the kid does. Even so, as always, supervise early interactions between children and the Singapura.

These cats are also happy to live with other cats and cat-friendly dogs because of their friendly and outgoing personality. But it is still best to introduce them slowly and in a controlled environment to ensure they learn to get along well. As they don’t like being left alone all day, it is recommended to get your Singapura a feline or canine friend for company while you are at work.