Are you fond of Harry Potter, scary stories and all things that go bump in the night? Then you may be enthralled with a type of cat called a Lykoi, or werewolf cat.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
If you’re interested in the werewolf cat, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article we’ll take a look at Lykoi cats, their personalities and much more! Let’s jump right in!
What is a Lykoi Cat?
A Lykoi cat is a special type of cat that resembles a wolf and is sometimes referred to as a werewolf cat. The reason for this name? Because these cats spookily resemble wolves. The word “Lykoi” is a Greek name that literally translated means “wolf cat.” Unlike orange tabbies, calicos or tuxedo cats, Lykoi cats are a new breed of domestic cats. Their story starts back in 2010, when some domestic shorthair cats were adopted from a rescue shelter in Virginia. The co-founder of the breed is Patti Thomas, who also helped name the breed.
The adopted kittens had a rare look—they were hairless and looked as if they could be part Devon or Sphynx. They were tested for certain diseases and infections. However, the kitties were disease-free. Then a DNA test was conducted on the kittens, which showed they didn’t have the Devon or Sphynx genetics, which was also considered due to their unique characteristics.
The kittens were found to be healthy and their hairlessness and other characteristics were natural. These sweet unusual kittens were found to be a match of interbreeding (not interbred—there’s a difference) cats that had the same naturally occurring mutation. From here, once the kittens were mature, they were bred with black cats that carried the same mutation. The result was the Lykoi breed. To keep the breed strong and free of health issues, the Lykoi cats are not bred with one another. Instead, the Lykoi cats have been bread with black cats from shelters and sometimes even a feral cat. This keeps the gene pull diverse and healthy. The resulting kittens are healthy and strong.
The breed was eventually recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 2014 and just three years later, the TICA had brought the breed up to Championship status. In addition, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) officially accepted the Lykoi breed in 2018. However, they only accept “grizzled black roans” that meet the breed standard. The roan pattern is a mix of normal colored hair with white hair and includes some balding of the coat.
What Do Lykoi Look Like?
This new cat breed is rather unique in appearance. You might actually take them for a Sphynx or a Devon! The Lykoi cats have grizzled dark fur, with no undercoat. Around their faces, the kitties have patches around their eyes and nose where you can see a bit of pink skin showing through. This gives them the appearance of perhaps being hairless. Additional bald patches are found on their toes and tails. These special kitties have a long nose with a black tip, that makes them look very similar to a wolf.
Along with their unusual hair, Lykoi cats have large yellow eyes, with large, triangular ears. Their bodies are slim and muscular. Their entire appearance truly resembles a wolf! However, don’t be alarmed! Lykoi cats have wonderful personalities!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowLykoi Cat Personality
Lykois are descended from feral cats, so they are great mousers! If you play with your Lykoi kitty, she will completely become caught up in the “hunt,” ready to pounce when the time’s right! These cats tend to be intelligent, and they’re not afraid to use their intellect when presented with a new situation. You may notice the Lykoi cat first considering the new circumstances, such as meeting new animals or humans. However, once they’ve warmed up to someone or another pet, they’re loyal for life.
Lykoi cats tend to be very active and have tons of energy. Some of thought these characteristics are holdovers from their feral forebears. They enjoy staying busy and may have other things they want to get done first, but you’ll eventually find the werewolf cat laying in your lap, wanting your attention and a nice scratch behind her ears. There is one more wolfish trait that has come out in the Lykoi cats. They prefer to hunt in packs! Most cats like to hunt alone, but not the Lykoi. They will come together and chase down prey as a team, rather than being loners in the hunt.
Some people have said their Lykoi cats seem more like dogs than cats! Not only do they hunt in packs, but these werewolf cats also enjoy a good game of fetch and chase—just like their canine brothers and sisters!
Expect your Lykoi to be a loving fur baby, but one that’s highly intelligent and very active!
Are Lykoi Cats Healthy?
With the breed being so new, it’s not yet been determined what the lifespan of a Lykoi cat will be. However, with good health and living indoors, it’s thought that Lykoi cats will have the same average lifespan of other domestic cat breeds, which is about 15-20 years of age.
Overall, they seem to be healthy cats. Some issues that have been noticed with the breed. These include oil gather in their ears and claws, due to their short, sparse coats. This is something that should be checked often if you adopt a Lykoi.
Lykoi kittens appear to develop slower than kittens from other breeds. They require a lot of socialization to grow up into happy, socially adjusted adult cats. Kittens are usually ready to leave their mothers by about 12 to 14 weeks of age.
Lykoi Cats Need Some Special Care
While they seem to be pretty healthy, Lykoi cats do require some special care when it comes to their unusual coats. Due to the oil that can accumulate inside their ears and around their nails, it’s necessary to wipe the areas down with a soft cloth on a regular basis.
These kitties are also prone to “brush burns,” if the brush scrapes their skin. They need a softer brush and you’ll need to use an easy brushing technique to avoid causing your wolfy fur baby brush burns. A Lykoi cat should be brushed at least twice a week when not in the shedding season. However, when the molting season begins (usually in summer), they may require daily brushing.
If a werewolf cat needs to be bathed, it’s best to use a special cat shampoo, clothes or wipes. They require a shampoo, etc. that contain no harsh ingredients due to their sensitive skin. These cats also need special care in the winter from the cold air and need to be inside in the summer to avoid sunburn. Their skin tends to be more sensitive with the protective undercoat found on other breeds of cats.
Feral Lykois have been seen surviving with no ill effects outside in the winter and summer, but it’s best to keep a Lykoi indoors to avoid extreme weather changes. She’ll also stay healthier living inside, as your sweet werewolf cat won’t be exposed to other diseases and dangers faced by cats that live outdoors all the time.
Are Werewolf Cats Hypoallergenic?
No, these are not hypoallergenic cats and they shed a lot. If you’re allergic to other cats, then you’ll more than likely also be allergic to Lykoi cats. The Lykoi cat’s coat looks very similar to a stiff bristle brush; however, when you got to pet a Lykoi, you’ll find her hair is pleasantly soft, almost silky smooth.
These cats shed quite a bit—sometimes their entire coat! However, don’t worry, your werewolf cat will regrow her coat once again. During the shedding process, you may notice her hair is one color, but then regrows in a different color. This is quite normal in Lykoi cats.
Lykoi Cat Cost
Lykoi kittens for sale will be difficult to buy. The werewolf cat is a very rare breed, so expect to pay about $1,500 for a kitten. An intact adult Lykoi cat may cost up to $2,500. While there are a number of breeders who specialize in this breed, the waiting lines are quire long. If a “breeder” says they can get you a cat sooner, then beware of them. They are not a legitimate breeder and the “Lykoi” may not be a purebred and may have been raised in a “kitty mill.”
Caring for a Werewolf Cat
As noted earlier, a Lykoi cat will require some grooming, especially during the shedding season. Otherwise, werewolf cats don’t require any special care. However, to keep a Lykoi cat healthy, she will need:
Fresh water daily: your wolfie fur baby will need clean, fresh water daily. Bowls of water that stand around for days on end can harbor bacteria and other nasties that can make your kitty sick. So, always make sure to give her clean water every day.
Fresh food daily: your wolf kitty also needs fresh food each day, which is nutritionally balanced to provide all the vitamins and minerals a healthy cat needs.
Regular visits to the vet: can help keep your fur baby healthy. The vet will perform regular checkups, which could catch health problems before they become serious. In addition, the vet will make sure your fur baby receives all the vaccinations she needs to stay healthy.
Clean litter box: if you have more than one cat, then it will be necessary to have at least one litter box for each cat. It will be necessary to keep the box clean by scooping it out daily. And about once a week, make sure to completely empty the litter box, wash it and refill it will fresh cat litter.
Play and exercise: as noted earlier, a werewolf cat is highly active and needs a lot of exercise. Be sure to spend time playing with your fur baby every day! That way you two will bond, and she’ll receive all the activity she needs to stay happy and healthy.
Love and attention: when your wolfie cat is ready to rest, she’ll head straight to your lap for some love and attention. Spend time showing how much you love every day. Not only does this include scratching her behind the ears but brushing her when she needs it.
By caring for your Lykoi cat in the right way, your sure to have a happy, healthy active kitty to spend time with every day! Your werewolf cat will be your best bud!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
