If you ever wished you could own a cat with the personality of a dog… or maybe just need a spooky-looking cat in your life… this one’s for you!
Introducing the Lykoi cat, a breed of cats that has only existed since about 2010. They have a natural mutation that causes them to have no undercoat which makes them look like shaggy, little wolves. The word “Lykoi” is the Greek word for “wolf” and is how they derived their name. Not only do these cats look like wolves, but their demeanor is similar to that of a hound dog. These scruffy little kitties also have sparse, patchy, or no hair around the eyes, nose, ears, and muzzle, exposing the skin, making them look even more like a human being that has transformed into a new creature… like a werewolf! As offputting as it sounds, they’re actually quite adorable. See below.
At first, the Lykoi cat’s patchy coat and bare skin in places may lead one to believe it has a skin abnormality or disease. According to Johnny Gobble, the veterinarian who originally discovered and bred these cats, they have run multiple skin, hair, and DNA tests that confirm the cats are perfectly healthy. It is simply a naturally occurring mutation found in black domestic shorthairs, kind of like the hairless sphynx cat.
Before you get too excited about owning a Lykoi cat… be advised they are very hard to come by and VERY expensive. Okay, maybe not “new car” expensive… but $2k is a little bit much for a cat. There are also only seven registered Lykoi breeders in the world. Oh, and if you get picky on color… that’ll cost ya too! Blue Lykoi kittens start at $1,500, black tuxedo kittens are $1,800, and black roan Lykoi cats cost $2,500.
Don’t get discouraged though, as much as having a cool-looking pet is fun… there are plenty of kitties in need of homes at local animal shelters that don’t cost $2k, and likely will love you just as much as a Lykoi cat. I know I’m going to sound like one of those animal lovers that complain about people buying designer dogs… but it’s the hard truth. Spending an obscene amount of money to acquire a fancy pet only matters to your wallet… not your pet. Besides, I feel like I’ve seen some very wolf-like kitties at Acadiana Animal Aid.
