Halloween is just days away! Visit almost any store this week, and you’ll see all kinds of Halloween candy and decor featuring spiders, skulls, vampires, mummies, and plenty of products with, of course, werewolves. As a matter of fact, there’s a new werewolf on the scene, and she’s pretty adorable. In this article, a veterinarian discusses Halloween’s newest mascot … the Lykoi, or werewolf kitty.
Basics
Aside from her appearance, name, and possible fixation on full moons, the Lykoi is pretty much like all other cats. With an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, Lykois should weigh about 6 to 8 pounds, and be very good at wrapping their humans around their paws. Fluffy may not howl at the moon, but she isn’t shy about speaking her mind. As expected, Lykois appreciate kitty luxuries, such as comfy beds, scratching posts, and catnip. (No word yet on how they feel about silver.)
Coat
Fluffy is, well, not that fluffy. Actually, most Lykois have thin coats, and many don’t have any fur around their nose, eyes, and mouths. Some have no hair at all! (Unsurprisingly, these bald kitties often get mixed up with Sphynx kitties.) Much like other hairless cats, these lovable felines don’t tolerate cold temperatures that well. This is one reason we recommend keeping them indoors … especially when the moon is full. But that doesn’t mean they don’t shed. The Lykoi sheds quite a bit for a cat that doesn’t have much hair to begin with!
History
We’ve all heard one or two werewolf myths, and these myths have been around for centuries. Some of the oldest legends go all the way back to ancient Greece! (Fun fact: the name Lykoi derives from Lycos, the Greek word for wolf.) The Lykoi may not be that old, but Lykoi-looking kitties have been observed in feral cat colonies for quite a while. In 2011, breeders matched two of them up, thereby beginning Fluffy’s journey to getting recognized as an official breed. That actually didn’t take too long at all: the International Cat Association granted the kitties official status just one year later, in 2012. Still, the Lykoi is quite rare with fewer than 100 show-standard ones registered worldwide. While we still have lots to learn about these kitties, we can assure you that you don’t need to worry about changing into a werecat if Fluffy bites you.
Do you have questions about your feline friend? Contact us, your animal clinic in North Miami Beach, FL, today.
