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At first glance, the Lykoi cat might be mistaken for a creature straight out of a gothic novel with its patchy fur, angular face, and habit of stalking around the house. For these reasons, it comes as no surprise that the breed’s name essentially means “Wolf cat.” Also commonly referred to as a “Werewolf Cat,” the Lykoi cat is actually 100% feline, despite its creative nicknames.
What gives Lykoi cats their unusual appearance? It's actually a fascinating natural phenomenon that makes them so unique. But their striking looks are only the beginning of their story.
Quick Lykoi Cat Facts
Name: Lykoi, Wolfcat (sometimes spelled “Wolf Cat”), Werewolf Cat
Origin: United States
Size: 6-12 pounds, 8-10 inches tall
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Appearance: patchy fur that’s most commonly black or roan but can be any feline color
Temperament: energetic, kind, friendly, vocal
Compatibility: can make suitable companions for people with kids and other pets
Intelligence: moderately intelligent
Exercise & Energy: active but can only tolerate indoor exercise
Grooming Needs: skin needs considerable attention
Training: not known for being exceptionally trainable
Health: usually healthy but is prone to skin irritations due to its sparse coat
Highlights: unusual, curious, sweet, loving, active
Why Are Lykoi Cats So Remarkable?
Unusual appearance: People always want to know more about these unique-looking felines!
Sweet personalities: Despite their “werewolf” features, Lykoi cats are as lovable as they come.
Relatively healthy: Except for some skin issues, the breed is considered healthy overall.
Suitable for apartments: You’ll want to keep a Lykoi cat indoors because the sun can be too intense for their delicate skin.
Extra playful: These cats love playing with just about anyone and everyone!
What Do Lykoi Cats Look Like?
Lykoi cats are instantly recognizable with their patchy coat that leaves much of their face, chest, and limbs exposed. Lykoi cats do have some fur, but their skin is highly visible in areas because of their coat’s thinness. The resulting effect, most striking on black cats, is what earned them the nickname "werewolf cat." The amount of fur varies between individual Lykoi cats, resulting in diverse appearances within the breed."
What Size is a Lykoi Cat?
Lykoi cats normally weigh between 6 and 12 pounds, with the females weighing on the lighter end. They usually stand between 8 and 10 inches tall. Some variations can occur since the breed has only recently developed.
Do Lykoi Cats Have Fur?
While Lykoi cats have fur, they do not have the same thick coat as a typical feline. Instead, these cats have sparse fur all over their body, with the areas around the nose, eyes, belly, and limbs remaining mostly bare. This patchy fur results from a genetic mutation that is intentionally bred into Lykoi cats to achieve their startling appearance.
What Is a Lykoi Cat’s Temperament Like?
Many people praise the Lykoi cat’s friendliness and playfulness. Regardless, one should bear in mind that this breed doesn’t have a long history, so there has been less time for a distinct temperament to develop. Even then, no two cats of any breed will ever have the same personality.
Are Lykoi Cats Friendly?
The Lykoi cat is certainly a contender for recognition as one of the friendliest cat breeds. They are known for being quite social and loving with their human families. Despite this doting nature, remember that all animals like their space every now and then. Learn to read cat body language so you can better understand how your cat is feeling at the moment.
How Are Lykoi Cats Around Children?
Most Lykoi cats will likely have no issue around children, as long as the children have been taught how to safely interact with pets. Playtime should always be monitored since even well-meaning children can sometimes put felines on edge. That said, it’s entirely possible your Lykoi cat will curl up with a child for a midday nap!
Can a Lykoi Cat Be Around Other Cats and Dogs?
Whether a Lykoi cat is comfortable around other pets depends on the individual. Some owners experience no issues between their Lykoi cat and other cats. Some even tolerate dogs. Socializing your feline as a kitten can help them feel more comfortable around others early on.
How Do You Take Care of a Lykoi Cat?
Lykoi cats aren’t a good fit for first-time cat owners. That’s because their delicate skin needs plenty of attention since their sparse fur can lead to too much oil accumulating in certain areas, including around the paws. Additionally, all felines need dental care, vaccinations, and food that’s designed to keep them strong and healthy.
Do Lykoi Cats Need to Be Groomed?
If you adopt a Lykoi cat, you can gently wash their skin with a warm, wet washcloth every now and then. Depending on your cat’s individual skin condition, the veterinarian may recommend more frequent washing. Because these cats have so little fur, you won’t have to brush their coats much. Some Lykoi cats grow fur all over but lose most of it as they age, while others never grow fur on certain sections of their body.
Can a Lykoi Cat Be Trained?
These werewolf cats aren’t known for being especially trainable but that doesn’t mean you can’t try! Some cats have been known to learn to fetch and “wave!” As with training any pet, consistency and positive reinforcement are key.
How Much Space Does a Lykoi Cat Need?
It is essential that a Lykoi cat has a comfortable home to live in. These cats must live indoors for two main reasons: their thin coats offer insufficient protection from the cold, and their exposed skin is highly sensitive to the sun. Feral cats with the same mutation of the fur often die in the wild from exposure and prolonged sun exposure can lead to sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer. While your cat doesn’t need a massive home, there are some things you can do to make it more cat friendly. Adding objects to your home like cat trees, climbing posts, or exercise wheels can help your feline get enough exercise throughout the day.
What Do Lykoi Cats Eat?
Lykoi cats typically eat the same type of food as more traditional breeds. Before purchasing a product, check for the AAFCO statement on the label. This label means the food is nutritionally complete and balanced. Don’t forget to buy food with a label that correlates to your cat’s age group since they need different amounts of nutrients at different stages of life. Cats that are less than one year old are considered kittens. Cats aged one to six are young adults, while cats aged 7 to 10 years are mature adults. Any cat older than 10 years old is a senior.
Are Lykoi Cats Usually Healthy?
Lykoi cats are a very new breed and not much is known about their health as they enter old age. Younger cats are known for being generally healthy, although their lack of fur can result in excess oils on their skin. This in turn can lead to mites and infections, so it’s important to inspect their skin periodically.
What Health Issues Affect Lykoi Cats?
By far, the most important health consideration for the Lykoi cat is its sensitive skin. However, felines in general are also predisposed to certain problems. Learn the signs of the most common conditions to keep your pet safe.
Lymphocytic mural folliculitis
Because Lykoi cats have fewer hair follicles, they are at risk for developing this condition. It involves an overaccumulation of oils on the cat’s skin, mostly around the toes and ears. If your cat appears itchy and is covered in scabs, schedule an appointment with the vet. Periodic bathing may help this condition, but your veterinarian may prescribe medication to manage any allergic reactions.
Hypothermia
Lykoi cats are very sensitive to the cold due to their lack of fur. A cat whose body temperature is dangerously low becomes hypothermic, and they will become lethargic. Other signs include shallow breathing, loss of consciousness, and shivering. Any hypothermic cat, including a Lykoi cat, needs to go to an emergency vet clinic immediately. Mild cases can be treated by slowly warming up the cat, but more severe cases can result in amputation and even death.
Hyperthyroidism
Ten percent of senior cats develop hyperthyroidism, an issue marked by an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms include increased appetite with weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. To diagnose the condition, your cat’s vet will need to take blood samples. Treatment ranges from medication to radioactive iodine therapy and surgery. Some cats’ hyperthyroidism may even be managed through a special prescription diet.
Should You Get Lykoi Cat Pet Insurance?
Yes. If you own or are considering a Lykoi cat, cat pet insurance is definitely worth exploring. These cats, with their distinctive sparse coats, are prone to skin issues like sunburn and irritation. While skin problems are currently the most common health concern, the Lykoi is a relatively new breed, and long-term health trends are still developing. This makes pet insurance a wise precaution.
Veterinary care can be expensive, and insurance provides peace of mind knowing you can afford the best care for your Lykoi. Enrolling your cat while they're young and healthy also helps avoid issues with pre-existing conditions being excluded from coverage.
Consider adding an optional, non-insurance wellness plan to your pet's coverage. For Lykoi cats, these plans can be particularly beneficial for monitoring and maintaining skin health. They can help budget for specialized shampoos, medicated wipes, and other products that can soothe irritated skin and prevent further complications.
Where Did the Lykoi Cat Come From?
The Lykoi cat has one of the shortest histories of any breed out there. This wasn't a planned breeding effort at first; it was a natural genetic mutation that caught the attention of breeders.
In the early 2010s, two cat breeders in the United States intentionally bred cats that had sparse coats. They recognized the unique characteristics of these cats and, crucially, conducted thorough health screenings to ensure their sparse coat wasn't due to any underlying illness or disease. This careful approach was essential in establishing the Lykoi as a healthy breed based on natural genetic variation rather than a health defect.
One of the breeders, Johnny Gobble, is a veterinarian who has intermittently tested the cats for diseases to ensure they remain healthy. Whether older Lykoi cats develop health problems could determine whether they are bred in the future.
Today, a few more Lykoi cat breeders have popped up around the United States and other countries, but the breed is still one of the rarest out there. It’s an ongoing story, and future years will determine whether the Lykoi cat becomes a more established and widely recognized breed.
Can You Buy a Lykoi Cat?
How much are cats such as these so-called wolfcats? The Lykoi cat price range runs from a few thousand to many thousand dollars for a Lykoi kitten. There aren’t many “true” Lykoi cats for sale, so you may need to travel to find one.
It’s worth noting that some debate exists about whether it is ethical to intentionally breed Lykoi cats since these cats cannot typically exist in the wild should they escape your home. Their patchy coat leaves them vulnerable to the cold as well as allergens. Additionally, since this breed is so new, it’s not yet known if older Lykoi cats are predisposed to certain health conditions that don’t appear until later in life.
That said, some Lykoi cat rescues exist if you don’t want to visit a breeder. If you do choose to get a cat from a breeder, always look at the breeder’s reviews. Be on guard against anyone that pressures you into purchasing a Lykoi cat, especially if they seem more interested in money than ensuring the cat is going to a suitable home. Ensure your cat remains in your home at all times to protect them from sunburn and exposure to cold weather.
Lykoi Cat Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lykoi cats have health issues?
Like all cats, the Lykoi cat is predisposed to certain issues. Their skin can become itchy and scabby due to their lack of hair. Bathing your cat can keep their skin in good condition. The Lykoi cat’s lack of hair can also make them more susceptible to hypothermia if they are left in the cold for even a short period of time.
Are Lykoi cats hypoallergenic?
No, Lykoi cats are not hypoallergenic. While their sparse coat might suggest otherwise, they still produce the Fel d 1 protein, the primary allergen responsible for cat allergies. This protein is found in cat saliva, dander (dead skin flakes), and urine. Since Lykoi cats groom themselves (spreading saliva onto their fur) and shed dander, they can still trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.
What do Lykoi cats eat?
Lykoi cats don’t need special food unless they happen to have an allergy or other dietary need. Choose a cat food that’s nutritionally balanced to be certain they are getting all the nutrients they need.
How big do Lykoi cats get?
Lykoi cats typically range from 6 to 12 pounds and 8 to 10 inches tall. Keep in mind that as your cat gets older, they may shed more of their fur.
When do Lykoi cats stop growing?
Like most cats, your Lykoi cat will probably stop growing between 6 and 12 months old. Still, not much research is out yet regarding Lykoi cats later in life, so the best way to see if your cat has stopped growing is to keep a monthly growth chart.
Are Lykoi cats expensive?
A typical Lykoi cat’s price will be several thousand dollars, which is certainly expensive by most standards. Don’t be surprised if you have to be put on a waitlist for a litter to be born since the breed is so rare. You can check local shelters and rescues to see if there are any Lykoi cats in immediate need of a home as these sites charge lower adoption fees.