Mini cats, they exist! Meet the Singapura: the smallest cat breed in the world, but with a super big personality. This cat looks very cute, but it has so much more to offer. What? You can read about it here!
In this blog:
- The character of a Singapura
- The appearance of a Singapura
- How to care for a Singapura
- The life expectancy of a Singapura cat
- The health of Singapura cats
- The origin of the Singapura
- The cost of a Singapura kitten
And also:
- What is the smallest cat?
- How big does a Singapura cat get?
1. What is the character of a Singapura?
Singapura cats are full of energy, they are smart, playful, and love to be involved in everything their owners do. Are you comfortably sitting on the couch? A Singapura will surely come and lie down with you. Are you folding laundry? A Singapura will happily watch you. Are you walking from downstairs to upstairs? This breed of cat will cheerfully follow you around. In short: a Singapura loves to spend time with its owners and is curious. And very affectionate, as these cats love to sit on their owner’s lap or shoulders.
But the Singapura can also be very independent. This breed loves to explore, enjoys discovering new things, and likes to be alone from time to time – for example, for a thorough grooming session or a nice afternoon nap.
And the Singapura is also playful. If you want to bring a cat of this breed into your home, keep in mind that the cat needs to be challenged. A good scratching post is important, as well as playtime with the owner. Are you away from home often? Then you’ll make a Singapura happy with a companion to play with.
Is your cat an indoor cat? Then make your cat happy with a cat wall designed by you!
2. What does a Singapura look like?
The most distinctive feature of a Singapura is its size. A Singapura is smaller than other cats. Is a Singapura the smallest cat in the world? Yes, because an average cat is 46 to 51 centimeters long (excluding the tail), but the Singapura is only 20 to 31 centimeters.
This is because this breed lived and slept as a ‘sewer cat’ in Singapore 300 years ago. At the time, the breed was considered vermin, but thankfully, it is now recognized as a prestigious breed. And rightly so, because these cats are both sweet and incredibly beautiful!
Singapura cats are small but have a muscular and sturdy build. They have a round head, pleasantly large ears, a thick, strong neck, and a blunt nose. Their coat is smooth and short, with a beautiful ivory color. The fur on their back, chest, and tail is darker, usually black. Their eyes are almond-shaped, large, outlined in black, and can come in various colors:
- Green
- Hazel
- Yellow
Fun fact: a Singapura is smart, fetches, and can learn tricks!
3. Everything about caring for a Singapura
A Singapura cat is an easy cat to care for. Because this cat’s coat is short and very smooth, it requires little maintenance. However, brushing and combing are always good, especially in the spring and fall when the cat is shedding. Besides that, a Singapura mainly needs love, attention, and companionship from its owner or another cat.
A good, tall cat tree is also important, as these cats are athletic and full of energy. In such a scratching post, Singapura cats can climb, sleep, and scratch on the posts. This is important, as scratching helps a cat take care of its nails, mark its territory, and keep its body flexible.
In addition to attention, a scratching post, and the occasional brushing, more is required. After all, a Singapura, like every cat, needs good care. This includes:
- A safe and clean home
- A warm sleeping spot, such as a cat tree with hammocks
- Or a cozy scratching barrel
- Good food that suits the breed
- Multiple bowls of fresh water every day
- Protection against parasites (such as worms, fleas, and ticks)
- Love, attention, and playtime with the owner
- A companion cat in the house
- Care if the cat is sick
- A reliable pet sitter when you go on vacation
- Clean litter boxes with good litter
- Fun and challenging cat toys
- Regular visits to the vet
4. How old does a Singapura live?
There are Singapura cats that have lived longer, but generally, a cat of this breed lives about 11 to 15 years. However, predicting exactly how old a cat will get is difficult – how well a cat is cared for and how much it suffers from hereditary diseases or conditions all affect life expectancy.
5. The health of Singapura cats
Pedigree cats are bred for unique characteristics. The Singapura also has traits that make it special, such as:
- Small size (up to 31 centimeters long)
- Muscular and sturdy build
- Round head with large ears
Do you think a Singapura might be right for you? Then make sure to thoroughly research the health of this breed, as pedigree cats are prone to hereditary conditions. It’s important to be aware of this.
If you want to bring a healthy cat into your home, ask for advice from a veterinarian. You can also consult the websites of Dier & Recht and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, where you’ll find information about the breed’s health, whether it’s allowed, and what rules apply to breeders.
Always buy a Singapura from a reliable breeder, preferably one affiliated with a breed association. This way, you can be sure the cat is healthy and well cared for. Also, ask the breeder for a health certificate or guarantee for extra assurance.
We’ve already told you a lot about the Singapura cat breed. But you probably also want to know where this breed originated. And how. And how much does a Singapura kitten actually cost? You’ll find out now!
6. The origin of the Singapura
How and where the Singapura cat breed exactly originated is not entirely clear. There is quite a bit of debate about it. The most plausible story is that the breed spontaneously emerged on the streets of Singapore – it is a mix of many different types of cats, and this small specimen mainly lived in the sewers of the streets of Singapore.
The government saw the cats as pests, wanted to get rid of them, and tried to exterminate the little kittens. They almost succeeded, but one survived and repopulated. Eventually, American breeders took them to the United States to breed them. And that’s when the Singapura finally gained the status of an official breed – and even became the mascot of Singapore. But is all of this true?
7. Buying a Singapura
Do you want to buy a Singapura cat? Then go to a certified breeder, preferably one affiliated with a breed association. This way, you can be sure you’re buying a healthy, well-socialized cat that has been bred in a humane manner. Always ask for the papers, a health certificate, and check the kitten’s parents. Also, take a look at their living conditions: is it clean and homely, and are the parents present? That’s a good sign. Do not buy cats through platforms like Marktplaats, eBay, or from irresponsible breeders.
A Singapura from a good breeder costs around 1500 euros. Are you looking for a cat but don’t necessarily need a pedigree? Then consider checking shelters or adoption agencies. Many loving cats are waiting for a good home there.
And remember: you’re not getting a cat for just a short time, but for its entire life. Are you willing to take good care of the animal and set aside money for its care and vet visits? If so, the Singapura cat might become your new best friend!
Discover here what the approximate cost of caring for a cat entails
The Singapura in a nutshell:
- The Singapura is the smallest cat breed in the world
- A Singapura is smart, playful, and sociable
- A Singapura cat lives 11 to 15 years
- Singapura cats need companionship
- The Singapura has a short and easy-to-care-for coat
- A Singapura kitten is always bought from a certified breeder
- Singapura indoor cats always need a cat tree
Also, learn more about the incredibly beautiful Bengal
Disclaimer: Petrebels is not a veterinarian or behavior expert: all content, information, and tips on this blog are intended to inspire you and are informative in nature. Does your cat have complaints or problems, and do you doubt the health of your cat? Then always go to the vet or a behavior expert.
