Meet The Werewolf Kitty

Halloween isn’t far off now. Visit almost any store this week, and you’ll see all sorts of Halloween decor and icons, including spiders, skulls, vampires, mummies, and, of course, werewolves. Speaking of werewolves, you may find that the newest one the scene is quite a bit cuter than most of these other creatures. In this article, a veterinarian discusses Halloween’s newest mascot … the Lykoi, or werewolf kitty.

Basics

The werewolf kitty is very much like any other kitty… aside from her name, appearance, and possible fixation on full moons. Lykois should weigh about 6 to 8 pounds, and have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. These unique felines are playful, affectionate, and pretty good with kids. Like any other cat, the Lykoi appreciate kitty luxuries, such as scratching posts, catnip, and comfy beds. Fluffy also isn’t shy about speaking her mind when need be. (Word is still out on how Lykois feel about silver.)

Coat

Fluffy is, well, not very fluffy. In fact, most Lykois have thin coats. Many of them do not have any fur at all around their eyes, nose, or mouths. Some of these cute furballs have no hair at all, which means they often get mixed up with Sphynx kitties. We recommend keeping them indoors … especially when the moon is full. Lykois can get cold very quickly! However, that thin fur doesn’t mean they don’t shed. The Lykoi actually sheds quite a bit for a cat that doesn’t have much hair to begin with! 

History

Werewolf myths have been around for quite some time. Some of the earlier legends originated all the way back in ancient Greece! (Fun fact: the name Lykoi is derivative of Lycos, the Greek word for wolf.) The Lykoi breed is unique not just because of their appearance, but also because of their history. Kitties that look like Lykoi have been observed in feral cat colonies for quite a while. In 2011, breeders matched up two stray cats with the Lykoi look, thereby beginning Fluffy’s journey to achieving status as an official breed. That journey actually didn’t take very long: the International Cat Association granted the Lykoi official status just a year later, in 2012. The Lykoi is still quite rare: there are fewer than 100 show-standard ones registered worldwide. 

Do you have questions about your feline friend? We can help! Contact us, your local animal clinic, today.