The domestic shorthaired cat underwent a natural mutation to become the Lykoi cat (Felis catus) which is commonly referred to as the wolf cat and sometimes as werewolf cat. Domestic cats have developed the mutation within the past 20 years.
Tests have been done to make sure the cats don’t have the Sphynx/Devon Rex gene. Patti Thomas developed this breed in Vonore, Tennessee. The personality of lykoi cats are beautiful and playful. They are naturally intelligent and intelligent, skilled hunters, and have even been known to play fetch.
Although they enjoy company and form strong bonds with their family members, they can be afraid of strangers and other animals at first. These lovely cats are wonderful companions. A medium-sized cat, lykoi have thin, muscular bodies and lean limbs. Generally speaking, males are substantially bigger than their female counterparts.
Lykoi cats make wonderful pets because of their unique appearance and energetic nature. Lykoi cats are one of the newest recognized cat breeds, they have a cute, furry face that resembles a wolf.
If you are looking for a clever, loyal, and healthy cat that is guaranteed to turn heads, the Lykoi cat may be the correct breed for you. This cat breeds (Lykoi) are still a well-kept secret.
The Lykoi is still a brand new cat breed with a highly unique appearance. Their head is long, they have big ears, and their eyes are bright golden.
Their undercoat is scanty, except for around the eyes, muzzle, and feet, giving the appearance of longer guard hairs in other areas. Their coat is very soft, has a roan pattern, and white hairs scattered throughout.
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A Brief History of the Lykoi Cat (Felis catus)
The Lykoi were first discovered in Virginia, USA, in 2010, when Patti Thomas discovered a brother and sister at a shelter. To determine why these cats appeared so unusual, Patti and her veterinarian conducted extensive health tests.
They found that the cats were healthy but had a recessive gene that caused their thin crested coats. They discovered more cats with similar characteristics, mixed them with domestic shorthairs, and eventually created a line of Lykoi cats that could be crossed with cats with regular coats and those with scanty coats to generate offspring with both coat kinds.
The first Lykoi were imported into the UK in 2013, and in May 2015, the country welcomed its first sparse-coated Lykoi. Be aware that many Lykoi images published online have been photo-manipulated to give them a more werewolf appearance. They are still a new and rare breed as earlier stated in this article.
Like other cats of a foreign variety, the Lykoi are intelligent, lively, outgoing, and ready to speak their minds aloud if necessary. They enjoy playing interactively, interacting with people and other cats, and doing puzzles.
Lykoi cats are frequently highly energetic and enjoy being busy, but after a long day, all they want to do is cuddle with their owners and take a well-deserved break.
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Characteristics of the Lykoi Cat (Felis catus)
The Lykoi cat breed is special because it sheds a lot as it grows old but later on in life, depending on the season, its fur grows back. Lykoi cats resemble werewolves because of the lack coat on their faces.
The name Lykoi is a translation of the Greek word lycos, which means wolf. Alternative names for this cat breed include the Werewolf Cat and Wolf Cat. Now it is clear why the Lykoi cat is compared to a werewolf, with its unkempt hair coat and weird mask.
Although the kittens have a complete hair coat when they are born, as they age, their undercoat sheds, leaving them with a thin, rough top hair coat. Despite appearing heavy and rough, lykoi cats are surprisingly soft to touch.
They appear wild and fierce due to the lack of hair around their mouths, noses, ears, and eyes on their faces. Lykoi cats exhibit an inherited gene for abnormal hair cells.
The Lykoi cat is genetically identical to the normal domestic house cat, with the exception of its inherited wolf-like hair coat. Medium-sized Lykoi cats can differ in size. Although the males are frequently slightly larger, they typically weigh between 8 and 13 pounds.
They have medium-length tails that are pointed, wide-set eyes, pointed ears, and a muscular body. Their eyes give them the look of werewolves since they are bright, large, and round. 10 to 15 years is the Lykoi cat lifespan.
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The Lykoi’s Health
Since the Lykoi cat is a brand-new breed that evolved from the normal domestic house cat, there are currently no recognized or established Lykoi cat health issues. Since the Lykoi cat was created, extra care has been taken to prevent inbreeding and perform extensive genetic testing.
Regular veterinarian care should be sufficient, along with extra attention for the distinct hair coat. However, given that the breed is still relatively new, genetic testing is advised when it is available.
An extraordinarily healthy and low maintenance breed is the Lykoi cat. They are amazing with kids and make a lovely addition to a household when treated with kindness and affection.
The Lykoi cat gets along well with other cats and dogs and is intelligent, energetic, and gentle. Due to their intense prey drive, Lykoi cats are not advised for households with tiny animals like rabbits or guinea pigs.
Although the Lykoi cat’s short hair coat may lead one to believe otherwise, they are not hypoallergenic.
The Lykoi cat is still extremely uncommon, and its genetic lines are carefully guarded by a small number of elite breeders. The Lykoi cat is currently pricey and difficult to find as a result. Only 150 to 200 Lykoi cats have been registered according to some reliable researchers.
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Grooming Guide for the Lykoi Cat Breed
The unique coat of the Lykoi needs some particular care but it doesn’t shed much and doesn’t require a lot of grooming.
If you choose to brush them, make sure the brushes are extremely soft to prevent rubbing their sensitive skin. You can test the brush against the flesh of your hand to see if they are soft enough before purchasing it.
▪ Lykoi require more regular bathing than one might expect for a cat, just like breeds that are entirely hairless. By bathing with a moisturizing shampoo after a bath, you may get rid of extra skin oil and avoid skin pores, which can cause acne, causing blackheads.
Each cat is different in how frequently they need to be bathed. On how often to wash your Lykoi and what shampoo to use, seek advice from your breeder or veterinarian.
▪ Trim your Lykoi’s nails once a week or once every two weeks to maintain them short. Establish the routine of checking the ears before and after a bath. If you see any wax or dirt, clean the ears with cotton balls and a pet ear cleaner.
Never put anything, including a cotton bud, in the ear canal since doing so could damage your cat’s ear drum. If the ears seem red or excessively dirty, schedule a visit with your veterinarian for a checkup.
▪ Make sure your lykoi have lots of toys and places to climb and play because they are quite busy. If you give Lykoi enough toys, they’ll play with you, another cat, or even just by themselves. To keep things fresh, rotate the toys sometimes by putting some away and bringing out others.
Try both vertical scratchers, such as high posts or cat trees and horizontal scratchers in specific scratching places around your house, such as cardboard that lie flat on the ground.
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