Compare
Abyssinian vs Singapura
Two ticked, quiet-voiced, lively shorthairs; the Singapura is one of the smallest breeds and suits a flat better.
Verdict
These two are close. Both are lively, ticked-coat shorthairs with quiet voices, minimal grooming and a need for company, and both list pyruvate kinase deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy. Size and rarity decide it. The Singapura weighs about 4 to 7 lb, comes in one sepia colour, suits a small home best and is rare, so expect a wait. The Abyssinian is larger at about 8 to 12 lb, has a higher energy score, comes in several colours and is easier to find.
Choose the Abyssinian if
- You want the more energetic cat of the two.
- You want a choice of ruddy, red, blue or fawn rather than one colour.
- You prefer a larger, sturdier cat of about 8 to 12 lb.
- You want a breed that is easier to find.
Choose the Singapura if
- You want a tiny cat that fits a small flat well.
- You like the warm ivory ground with dark brown ticking.
- You want a cat that sheds very little.
- You will wait for a kitten from a small pool of breeders.
Where they are alike
Both are playful, curious, people-loving cats that do poorly when left alone for long hours. Both have very fine coats that need almost no grooming.
Side by side
| Abyssinian | Singapura | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | United Kingdom, with ancestry traced to the Indian Ocean coast and Southeast Asia | Singapore, developed in the United States |
| Size | Medium | Small |
| Typical weight | 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg) | 4-7 lb (1.8-3.2 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Fine, close-lying coat with a ticked (agouti) pattern; each hair carries several bands of colour | Very short, fine, close-lying coat with ticked bands |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1988 |
| How common | Common | Rare |
| Affection | 3 | 4 |
| Energy | 5 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 | 1 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability | 5 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 3 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat is easy to keep clean, but people who react to cats may still react to an Abyssinian. | — |
| Suits | An active household that enjoys play and wants a bright, busy cat that follows its people around. | A household that wants a tiny, lively, people-loving cat in a small home, and is happy to wait for a kitten. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a calm lap cat, or a home where the cat is alone for long stretches. | Anyone out for long hours, anyone who wants a large lap cat, or a home with rough handling. |
| Registries that recognise it |
|
|
| Health conditions to watch |
|
|
Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026