Singapuras are petite shorthair cats with muscular bodies. They're listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest domestic cat breed; full-grown males average around 7 pounds and adult females average around 5 pounds. Their ears and eyes appear slightly exaggerated in size, and their almond-shaped eyes are green, hazel, or yellow. Singapuras have slender but steady blunt-tipped tails. These cats come only in sepia with an agouti tick pattern.
Singapuras can border on pesky with their constant following, interjections into human activities, and pawing for attention. They must be in homes that appreciate this needy behavior.
These are healthy, energetic, and attention-seeking cats that stick so close to their humans they've been nicknamed "Velcro cats." Singapuras can border on pesky with their constant following, interjections into human activities, and pawing for attention. They must be in homes that appreciate this needy behavior. Attentive but gentle children and other pets make good companions for this breed and take some of the pressure off adults in the home.
Singapuras give off an exceptional amount of heat for their size, making them a nice lap ornament in the winter.
Singapuras are playful, extroverted, attention-seeking cats. They are known for aggressively pursuing interaction, even to the point of making nuisances of themselves. As long as this is tolerable to the humans in the house, these cats quickly become beloved members of the family. When they're getting their way, Singapuras are quite sweet and affectionate, and their energetic antics are always amusing.
These are high-energy cats. Though they enjoy a brief respite in a lap, they desire human interaction much of the time. Fortunately, they get along well with children who handle them appropriately and with other cats and dogs; Singapuras are content to get attention from these family members, especially when grownup humans aren't around. They're also eager to meet strangers who come into their home.
Singapuras are moderately talkative, and when they speak, it's with a small voice that matches their miniature stature. They especially like having a tall cat tree to climb in order to supervise the household's activity.
Singapuras mature slowly, often taking up to two years. Until then, they don't reach their full size, which even then is relatively diminutive. Veterinarians unfamiliar with the breed may be unnecessarily concerned about their small size.
This is a healthy breed with little in the way of hereditary concerns. Uterine inertia is the one condition Singapuras are genetically prone to developing. This complication arises during pregnancy. Afflicted cats may not be able to expel kittens, necessitating a Cesarean section (C-section).
There are some concerns about the limited gene pool of the Singapura breed. Responsible breeders are diligent about widening their stock as needed, but less responsible breeders may produce overly inbred kittens. Always acquire from a reputable breeder who can provide references and a written guarantee of good health at the time of purchase.
Singapuras are hyper cats that need a lot of stimulation. They should have access to a wide assortment of toys, including puzzle toys to challenge their sharp intellect and curiosity. If left alone often or for extended periods, or if they are denied frequent attention, these cats may turn to mischief to amuse themselves and may eventually develop behavioral problems or depression.
Despite what may seem like an overwhelmingly self-centered temperament, Singapuras are keenly attuned to the moods and emotions of their loved ones. They are known to sense when people are upset and to comfort them when necessary.
Between their intelligence, curiosity, energy, and particularly small size, these cats have a knack for getting into cabinets and other tiny spaces. They're also more likely than most other breeds to dash out an open door if the opportunity presents itself. Caution, an ID tag or microchip, and thorough pet-proofing are necessary with Singapuras.
This breed has a very short, fine coat that lies close to the body. Because of the type of coat and because Singapuras are fairly light shedders, lots of petting is usually the only coat care needed. Petting removes loose hairs and helps distribute natural skin oils over the coat to keep it shiny and healthy.
Singapuras don't require bathing unless they're being shown or they become soiled by a harmful or sticky substance. If they are bathed, they should not be blown dry, as this fluffs up their coat. Their hair is short and fine enough to efficiently air dry.
Other grooming tasks are standard feline care. The ears should be kept clean and watched for signs of infection, such as unpleasant odor, discharge, redness, and swelling. These cats should have access to a scratching post and the tips of their claws should be trimmed about once every 10 to 14 days. Additionally, Singapuras should have their teeth cleaned regularly to prevent periodontal disease and bad breath.
"Singapura" is the Malaysian word for Singapore, the breed's country of origin. This breed's history isn't well documented, but these cats allegedly began as street cats. Once known derogatorily as sewer cats, they're now cherished and celebrated by the people on their native island. A Singapura was the national mascot for the Singapore Tourism Board, and today sculptures depicting these cats can be seen along the Singapore River.
In 1975, Tommy and Hal Meadow returned to the United States after living in Singapore for a year. They brought three Singapuras back with them, named Tickle, Tess, and Pusse. Tommy, a longtime cat breeder, used them to start the breed in America and she wrote the breed standards. In 1980, Barbara Gilbertson rescued a Singapura from the Singapore SPCA and brought what was then the fourth native cat of the breed into America. It entered Tommy Meadow's breeding program.
Controversy came in 1990, when a reporter interviewed Tommy Meadow and revealed that Tickle, Tess, and Pusse were born in the United States and brought to Singapore with the couple in 1974. However, they were shown to be the grandchildren of cats from Singapore. In 1991, the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) investigated the matter and found no evidence of wrongdoing. The organization took no action against the breeder or the breed.
Singapuras have been accepted for registration by the CFA since 1982 and for championship status since 1988.
