How Much Does a Lykoi Cat Cost? Price Guide 2024

Lykoi cats are a designer breed that you can guarantee will continue to grow in popularity. These kitties look like creatures straight out of a horror movie, and they’re adorable and frightening at the same time.

It’s no wonder these felines are called “werewolf cats.” But how much do they cost, what is it like to own them, and what kind of expenses do they cause? No worries, we have answers to all those questions and more. So let’s crunch the numbers.

Bringing Home a New Lykoi Cat: One-Time Costs

Since the Lycoi is still relatively new and rare, you might have trouble locating one in your area.

Free

The likelihood that you will find a genuine Lykoi cat for free is slim to none, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Since their coat is the product of a genetic anomaly, it’s possible to find a Lykoi in any litter of regular barn cats.

Adoption

In rare cases, it is possible to find a cat at a local shelter or rescue that is a Lykoi. However, it won’t be likely, and you might have to compete with other potential owners or travel.

Breeder

The starting price for Lykois starts is $1,500 and can go up considerably from there. Since this is a new breed, you might find that locating a breeder can be rare. You might have to travel or spend more to ship your Lykoi to your town.

Initial Setup and Supplies

If you do not already own a cat, you might have to spend more initially on essential supplies. After you get your kitten home, they will need veterinary care, supplies, and food.

List of Lykoi Cat Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Lykoi Cat Cost Per Month?

Before you commit to a Lykoi, you probably want to know about the costs you can expect to incur as a cat owner. Lucky for you, it’s not much different from owning a traditional house cat. So, once you get past the selling point, it should level out from there.

Health Care

Nutrition and health care are fundamental aspects of cat-owning. Your kitty will need a suitable diet that’s well-balanced and nutritious. They will also need to get any prescriptions or checkups based on their individual health. Some cats encounter more issues than others, which could cause higher monthly bills.

Food

The Lykoi breed has no specific nutritional requirements that set them apart from other cats. However, they need a high-quality dry kibble or wet food diet high in protein.

You can also try homemade or raw food diets, but check with your veterinarian to ensure the recipes are suitable. Malnutrition can result if the recipe is inadequate, which can add on extra vet fees.

Grooming

The Lykoi coat sure is unique, which is probably one of the first things that drew you to the cat. They have a genetic mutation that causes patchy hair loss, but it is harmless.

Because the Lykoi has such a thin, manageable coat, you can take care of their grooming at home. However, a professional groomer can assist if your cat dislikes having their nails trimmed. If you brush your Lykoi, clean their teeth, and trim their nails at home, your monthly costs will be minimal after purchasing grooming supplies.

Medications and Vet Visits

Health care can vary from cat to cat, and you won’t know how much your cat will see the vet. However, if your cat needs checkups or prescription refills, you might have to visit the vet more frequently.

However, the Lykoi is pretty healthy, and you might have no recurring monthly expenses. Still, it’s best to be prepared for the unexpected.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance companies have several plans for pet owners, and the options are usually a bit more affordable for cat owners than dog owners. You can tailor policies to cover specific areas of medical coverage to work out the plan that works best for your situation. By getting a few quotes, you can decide if insurance for your Lykoi makes sense.

Environment Maintenance

Like all pets, Lykois have monthly expenses. You need to refill litter boxes, maintain odor control, and ensure they have scratching posts to channel good clawing behavior.

Entertainment

Every cat loves goodies. Your playful Lykoi will benefit significantly from having something fun to do. Of course, the amount you need to spend depends on the destructive tendencies of your cat.

Some cats do not enjoy playing with their toys. They much prefer relaxing near a window undisturbed. So, if that is the case with your Lykoi, you can save money on cat toys.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Lykoi Cat

Your Lykoi may fall on the low end of the spectrum in terms of recurring costs, but it’s not always a guarantee. As an owner, you have to prepare for the unexpected. Also, monthly costs fluctuate depending on what your cat needs. They might have an injury or illness that requires a costly treatment for several weeks.

Sometimes, cats need medications for the rest of their lives, such as those suffering from diabetes. That is why so many pet owners purchase insurance plans to help them cover costs that they might not anticipate.

Additional Costs to Factor In

There are always expenses that you might not see coming. For example, maybe you have to leave in a hurry and have no one to care for your cat. Or, they might destroy a lovely piece of furniture.

Pet Sitting/Boarding

Sometimes, you have to leave, and there’s no one to care for your animals. Since pet-owning is commonplace these days, many private sitters and boarding facilities take on the role of caring for your cat while you’re away.

Pet sitting is expensive, but your cat is also getting personalized one-on-one care without leaving their home. Boarding offers all the basics of care through a company where your cat will stay.

Ultimately, it will depend on your preference and budget.

Household Damage

We’ve all had to shoo our beloved kitties away from our couches and wall trim. If you have issues with a particularly destructive cat, the price you pay will keep climbing.

Feline Training

Do you think you can train your cat? Believe it or not, cat training professionals work with felines to promote healthy manners and good behavior. The total cost for training ranges quite a bit depending on frequency, complexity, and trainer rates.

Owning a Lykoi Cat On a Budget

There are no cutting corners when you own an animal. However, there are ways to reduce the costs of keeping them healthy and sound.

Saving Money on Lykoi Cat Care

Low-Cost Vetting

Thanks to many organizations, there are low-cost veterinary options for pet parents. Mobile clinics, shelters, rescues, and other facilities offer vaccinations, spay and neuter surgeries, and preventive treatments at a fraction of traditional vet prices.

DIY Cat Supplies

Thanks to excellent sites like Pinterest, creative minds have flooded the internet with numerous DIY projects that are free or cheap to make. When you make toys and equipment for your cat, you’ll save money on entertainment and environmental supplies like toys, bedding, and clothing.

Auto-Ship Options

Subscriptions for food and toys might seem expensive initially, but you do not have to spend money on gas or browse the isles of the pet store. If you buy the same cat food or product on repeat, you can have it sent directly to you without taking time to repurchase.

Conclusion

After the initial purchase, which is up to $2,500 per kitten, you have to consider the one-time and recurring costs of caring for a Lykoi. One-time costs should range from $250 to $430, but it might even be cheaper if you already have supplies on hand.

Monthly bills can range from $50 to $1,950 or more, depending on your cat’s health. However, pet insurance is a terrific way to cover the bases of costs you might not be able to afford until a later date, so it’s worth looking into!

Featured Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock