As its name suggests, the Singapura cat is believed to have originated in Singapore and is quite popular in that country.
In fact, the Singapura cat serves as the official mascot for the Singapore Tourism Board.
The cat breed first appeared in the US in the 1970s, and was recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1982.
These small, cute cats are identified by their short hair, brown ticked patterning, blunt tail, and large ears and eyes.
Singapuras are playful and inquisitive, and they love people, being more likely to greet your guests than to hide from them.
Should you Purchase Insurance for your Singapura Cat?
Singapuras are among the healthiest purebred cats, with an average lifespan of 11 to 15 years.
Obtaining your Singapura cat from a reputable, established breeder will dramatically reduce its health risks but even good breeding practices cannot guarantee complete immunity to health problems known to affect the Singapura breed.
Two common medical issues that every Singapura cat is at risk for developing are:
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD): not to be confused with polycystic kidney disease): pyruvate kinase is an enzyme required for the metabolism of energy by red blood cells, and some animals inherit a defective gene so that pyruvate kinase levels are low or the enzyme fails to function properly. Eventually, PKD leads to the development of a blood condition known as hemolytic anemia. Symptoms include weakness, loss of muscle mass, lethargy and a higher than normal heart rate, and the condition can significantly reduce a cat’s lifespan. Diagnosis is based on a detailed analysis of blood and urine. The only known treatment is a bone marrow transplant, which fortunately tends to be successful in restoring enzyme function.
- Feline cataracts: the eyes of cats, like those of humans, can suffer from damage to the lenses that cause vision to become cloudy, and can even lead to total blindness. A cat with cataracts may appear clumsy and may have difficulty finding its bowl or its litter box. Diagnosis is based on an examination of the eyes. Treatment can sometimes be limited to topical medications, but often requires surgery in which the defective lens is replaced with an artificial one.
Since there is no way to predict which, if any, serious conditions your cat may face, it is important to be prepared for the costs of diagnosis and treatment of conditions like these, which not only shorten lifespans but also decrease the quality of life for pets and their owners.