Halloween isn’t far off now. Pop into almost any store this week, and you’ll see all sorts of Halloween candy and decor, and plenty of products with spiders, skulls, vampires, mummies, and, of course, werewolves. In 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 name, appearance, and possible fixation on full moons, the Lykoi is very much like any other cat. They have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, should weigh about 6 to 8 pounds, and are 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 one would expect, Lykois appreciate kitty luxuries, such as scratching posts, catnip, and comfy beds. (No word yet on how they feel about silver.

Coat

Fluffy is, well, not very fluffy. In fact, most Lykois have thin coats. Many don’t have any fur around their eyes, nose, and mouths. Some have no hair at all! (Unsurprisingly, these bald kitties often get mixed up with Sphynx kitties.) Like other hairless cats, these lovable felines get cold very easily. This is one reason we recommend keeping them indoors … especially when the moon is full. However, that 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 centuries. Some of the oldest legends go all the way back to ancient Greece! (Fun fact: the name Lykoi is derivative of Lycos, the Greek word for wolf.) The Lykoi may not be that old, but kitties with the Lykoi look 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 very long: the International Cat Association granted the kitties official status just one year later, in 2012. The Lykoi is still quite rare: there are 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, today.