The Singapura is often described as the smallest recognized domestic cat breed.
The breed developed from cats associated with Singapore, where the name means “Singapore” in Malay. Its small body, large eyes, and oversized ears give it a distinctive appearance, although it is not a miniature version of another established breed.
Singapuras are compact but muscular, and adults are generally light compared with most other pedigree cats. Their short coat is usually sepia agouti, producing bands of darker and lighter color on individual hairs. This ticking can make the coat look warm brown rather than plainly striped.
The breed’s early history is debated, particularly over how many cats were imported from Singapore and how its modern pedigree was organized. That uncertainty does not change the breed’s widely recognized small stature or its association with Singapore.