Singapura

The Singapura is a small domestic cat breed that originated from street cats in Singapore during the 1970s.

American breeders Hal and Tommy Meadow imported three brown-ticked cats from the Southeast Asian island in 1975 to establish the foundational breeding stock. The government of Singapore later adopted the cat, locally known as Kucinta, as a tourism mascot in 1991. TICA accepted the Singapura for championship status in 1979, and CFA granted championship recognition in 1988, with European acceptance following in FIFe. Known as the smallest pedigreed domestic cat, its frame maintains a firm, compact musculature with medium boning. Fully grown males reach 2.5-3.6 kg (6-8 lb), while females average 1.8-2.7 kg (4-6 lb). The facial structure features large, cupped ears set wide on a rounded skull, accompanied by prominent almond-shaped hazel, green, or yellow eyes outlined with dark pigment.

Registries accept only a single coat color called sepia agouti, which consists of dark brown ticking set against an ivory background. The fur is very short, fine, and silky, lying close against the skin with no dense undercoat. Official descriptions depict an extroverted, inquisitive, and gentle personality. These cats actively seek human companionship, often riding on shoulders or perching in elevated indoor spots, while expressing themselves through soft voices. Coat upkeep is minimal, needing only a weekly combing with a soft bristle brush or grooming mitt to lift loose hairs.

Specific medical problems recorded in the breed include both reproductive and metabolic conditions. Uterine inertia presents a notable concern in breeding females, where weak uterine contractions hinder natural labor and make caesarean deliveries necessary. Pyruvate kinase deficiency acts as an inherited recessive enzyme defect in red blood cells, leading to chronic hemolytic anemia, pallor, and lethargy. The breed also displays reduced genetic diversity across world populations. Other common feline conditions observed by veterinarians include periodontal disease, hypokalemia, and corneal dystrophy.