Lykoi Wolf Cat: Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits
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| Height: | 8–10 inches |
| Weight: | 6–12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Colors: | Grey, black |
| Suitable for: | Active households, apartments, families with older children |
| Temperament: | Independent, loving, active, playful |
The Lykoi cat, also known as the “Werewolf Cat,” is an active kitten that works perfectly in apartments or active households. The cat is better for families who have older children and is either grey or black in appearance.
It’s possible you’ve seen one of these unusual hairless cats, which have pointy ears and unique patchy fur. Lykoi roughly translates to “wolf cat” in the Greek language. While this cat is playful, active, and fiercely independent, if you’re planning to purchase or adopt one, there are a few things you’ll want to know.
We’ll talk about prices, little-known facts, temperament, intelligence, and who these gorgeous creatures are best suited for.
So, join us as we delve into the Lykoi Wolf Cat breed and tell you everything you need to know to make an informed decision on whether to give one a forever home with your family.
Lykoi Wolf Kittens
This cat requires special and careful breeding. It’s essential to note that the Lykoi Wolf Cat Breed is a new breed, and since it’s so new, purchasing one will cost you quite a bit.
Very few breeders actually breed this cat, so they will come with a high price tag. The reason for this is that these cats are extremely rare, and in most cases, there’s a very long waiting list to acquire one.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Lykoi Wolf Cat
1. Lykoi Means Wolf
This cat breed’s name comes from the Greek word Lykoi, which means “wolf.” So, their name completely matches their werewolf looks!
2. Lykoi Cats Are Partially Hairless
Lykoi cats are considered to be partially hairless cats. This is because the breed has no true undercoat, and many parts of their body are without hair.
3. Lykoi Cats Came from Hairless Cats with Skin Problems
Lykoi cats actually come from feral hairless cats that have skin problems. So, while you may flinch when you run across one of these feral cats in an alley, this is where the Lykoi Wolf kitten you want to adopt actually originated.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Lykoi Wolf Cat Breed
The fact that this breed originated with feral cats means that they do retain their strong drive to hunt prey. This also means that these cats are excellent hunters and have very strong survival skills. The temperament of this breed could be iffy because of their wild origins, but they can also be pleasant yet independent and have been known to be strong-willed also.
Be aware that this intelligent breed isn’t going to make the best lap cat, as their wild beginnings will have them want to constantly be on the go and active. So make sure to keep plenty of toys for them to hunt and chase, and don’t be surprised if they start stalking your feet as you move across the room!
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
While the Lykoi cat can fit into any family, it’s best to put them with a family that has older children. If you have younger children, it’s best to get your Lykoi as a kitten and train and socialize them to get along with the younger kids in your home.
Make sure to teach your children how to handle and treat their pets properly so they don’t play too roughly and the cat or one of the children end up getting hurt.
It is essential to mention that these cats should not be kept outside—they are completely inside cats. Due to their patchy fur, they will never do well in extreme weather, so be prepared to pamper your little wolf cat.
This breed does well in an apartment setting just as it does in a two-story home and will be a great companion to almost anyone, especially an active family.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Your Lykoi cat can get used to any other household pets as long as they’re introduced slowly. Of course, it’s best to introduce your pets when the Lykoi is a kitten so they can be socialized correctly.
It’s best to introduce them slowly because, as with any feline, this cat doesn’t like change, and a hyper puppy jumping on it is bound to cause problems. Remember, this cat has a strong prey drive and might be tempted to stalk smaller pets, so make sure to keep an eye on them when they’re together.
Furry and feathered friends and even the pet goldfish need to be watched carefully as well because the cat may see them as prey and act as such.
Things to Know When Owning a Lykoi Wolf Cat:
Now that you know what there is to know about the Lykoi Wolf cat breed, you may have decided to track down a reputable breeder and purchase one of your very own. First, however, there are a few things you’re going to want to know before you bring your cat home.
We’ll discuss food, diet, exercise, and training requirements below, as well as grooming requirements and any health conditions you need to watch out for.
Food & Diet Requirements 🐡
Protein is the most essential part of your Lykoi Wolf cat’s diet. There is some contention over whether it’s best to feed this breed dry or wet food, but in reality, the choice is yours. Whichever food you choose, it needs to have animal protein as the number one ingredient, as cats are obligate carnivores.
There are also plenty of fresh food subscription options and homemade recipes you can try to ensure your Lykoi is healthy, getting enough protein, and happy as can be for many years to come.
Exercise 🐈
As previously stated, the Lykoi Wolf cat breed is a fairly active breed that needs to be stimulated both physically and mentally. Therefore, for your cat to stay healthy, they need at least 15 to 20 minutes of exercise a day, give or take a few minutes.
Make sure to provide plenty of toys, laser pointers, feather toys, balls, and the like for your cat, so they can play when they want to. You might even find them playing with the other pets or the children but don’t force them to do so.
Training 🧶
As with any cat, the Lykoi Wolf cat isn’t going to be easily trained. This breed is extremely independent, meaning they aren’t going to like to be told what to do. This breed wants to do things on their terms, so if they are scratching up the furniture or jumping on the counters, you might need to get a bit creative in order to stop them.
Be patient and consistent if you want to stop the cat from doing things its own way for the best results.
After some encouragement, your Lykoi Wolf kitten should be good to go on using the litter box, so you shouldn’t have to worry in that department.
Grooming ✂️
One of the unique things about the Lykoi cat’s appearance is that they are semi-hairless and have fur in patches, which makes grooming easy. However, this also means that the cat can’t tolerate cold or hot weather well, as we said before.
As for brushing, it’s essential to realize that this cat sheds just as much as your traditional housecat, even if they are semi-hairless. This breed does shed quite a bit seasonally and can end up with bald patches, so you need to make sure to learn how to care for them early on, especially with their unique skin situation.
Brush your Lykoi once a week. However, skin irritation is a common problem with this breed, so brush carefully and with the right tools to ensure you don’t irritate their skin.
Health and Conditions 🏥
As with any animal out there, the Lykoi Wolf cat breed has a few severe conditions you need to be on the lookout for. However, since this is a new breed of cat, many health conditions may not have come to light yet.
- Skin issues
- Hyperthyroidism
- Kidney disease
Male vs Female
When it comes to the Lykoi Wolf cat breed, the males tend to be a bit larger than the females. The males weigh in between 10 and 13 pounds, with the females topping out at between 6 and 9 pounds.
It’s said that males might be a little different in personality than females, but this is largely anecdotal. The female might have a little more of a detail-oriented personality, which can make them better hunters. The females are also a bit moodier than the males, so be careful with that.
Regardless of what differences we think the male and female of the breed have, it really comes down to the individual cat as to what the differences will be.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our guide on the Lykoi Wolf Cat breed. If you’ve been considering giving one of these kittens a forever home, the guide above should hopefully help you make a decision.
Remember, no matter what pet you decide to bring into your home, it’s a huge responsibility that doesn’t need to be taken lightly, so do your research to determine if this is indeed the right step for you and your family before making that big commitment.
Featured Image Credit: danilobiancalana, Shutterstock
