Whoa, Lykoi cats.
what is it? Where did it come from? why does it look like that
These questions have been asked over and over since the wolf cat was born as a breed. I hope to answer these questions and more in the coming stories.
history
Lykoi started as a breed in 2011. The first Lykoi cats used in the Lykoi breeding program were born in the fall of 2011 by Brittney Gobble and myself to prove that these cats are a genetically unique breed.
All five foundation cats were registered with the International Cat Association (TICA) that same year. Since then, the work of multiple breeders, pet owners, and devoted fans has elevated the wolf cat to near rock star status.
breed development
During the 5-year journey, wolf cats have completed several achievements, which make them unique from other breeds of cats on the journey.
First, all of the foundations Lykoi used to start the breed came from strays, shelters, or wild populations. It is a naturally occurring mutation in domestic cats that sometimes appears.
The gene has emerged in various corners of the world, and 17 of its naturally occurring mutations have been included in the program.
This has jokingly earned them the nickname the “Second Chance Breed” because they all started out as rescue cats that probably wouldn’t have survived without our help, and since people don’t realize how special they are, Many of these cats were discarded at shelters.
Second, they received grants to conduct research on their genetics, skin and hair. A group of scientists (geneticists, dermatologists, etc.) continue to collect data on wolf cats to explain the interaction of recessive genes on their color, coat, and the hairlessness pattern they develop.
Third, they achieved championship status in TICA in autumn 2016. This means they can be shown in May 2017 along with all other cat breeds.
This handicap makes them a feline and is recognized by the major feline registries.
Fourth, with the help of many wolf cat breeders, TICA members, our researchers, the genetic diversity of our many foundation cats, and our kitten owners, the wolf cat has developed into a very healthy, beautiful breed, Many people can enjoy.
appearance
People say wolf cats are ugly, but many say they are absolutely beautiful. Lykoi have a gene unique to the breed that not only causes a shaggy pattern (a mix of normal colored hairs mixed with white hairs), it also causes balding of the coat.
We have seen many cats with similar characteristics to wolf cats, but we found that only some cats with both coat color and pattern are wolf cats.
These kittens are born with a normal coat and look like any other normal kitten. They have no baldness or soft coat color.
Then, after about a week or two, the kitten begins to shed and begins to look fluffy. In the process, they may lose their entire coat.
After a few weeks, the Lykoi fur begins to grow back. Typically, kittens will have a full Lykoi appearance by three to four months of age.
The Lykoi coat can look stiff or bristly, but is actually very soft, like silk. People are always amazed at how soft the fur is when they actually pet a cat.
Coats are not always stable. This means that cats can shed their entire coat and then grow back a new layer of more or less coverage.
After this molt, the color of the fur also changes, making them appear darker and become whiter. Some lines are more stable than others. That’s why Lykoi cats look so different.
Some may look more like sphinxes, while others look almost completely covered. Some masks are better, and some coats are thicker. Lykoi does maintain some traits more consistently.
The ears and nose are always hairless, the coat is wrinkled, and the hair on the feet is sparse. These characteristics do not change regardless of the degree of molt.
Their coat color can be any color of a normal cat. Black is the standard color and is the color most people see and identify as a werewolf cat. Black tweed is also the only color that can be shown.
Special care for hair and shedding
Even though wolf cats are a special breed, they don’t require special care like different kinds. Since they originated from domestic cats, they are considered domestic cats. They can eat regular cat food, use the same litter and litter box, and use the same bedding as regular house cats.
They do have some special requirements when it comes to washing, though. Due to the partial hairlessness of the coat, some wolf cats develop grease accumulation on the nails and inside the ears.
When this happens, just wipe your nails with a cloth and clean your ears regularly. Since their skin is more exposed than normal cats, they must also be protected from the cold and the sun. As we all know, the skin of wolf cats will be tanned in summer, and the hair will become thicker in winter.
We have seen stray wolf cats from feral colonies on many occasions and they have had no problems living outside in the winter or getting burned in the summer. Lykoi cats also shed like normal cats.
They are not hypoallergenic, and most people who are allergic to cats will also be allergic to wolf cats. A small number of people with allergies claim that their Lykoi cats don’t cause allergy problems, but that’s not enough for me to say that people with cat allergies can get one. Other than that, simply love a wolf cat and leave them in their care. Most people think of them as ordinary cats with a werewolf appearance.
Behavior
Lykoi behave a little differently than other felines. Like other cats, they like to be around, to be stroked, and to interact and play with people. They weren’t always lap cats. They’ll sit with you for a while, but then they get curious about other things and get up and explore. We have seen Lykoi have protective behavior towards children and other cats.
It’s as if they feel like they’re the king of the house and it’s their job to watch over everything. We’ve seen wolf cats play a game of fetch, learn to use a toilet, stand on their hind legs, and use their front paws like hands to reach for things.
We’ve even had one play with an item in its paws as it looks to get across the floor with its hind legs. They are full of energy and seem to be drained only briefly, only to start over. When there are multiple wolf cats in a room, they tend to play and stalk as a pack.
We have litters playing when a puppy smells something to investigate and each sibling decides to cock their tails and stand up like a pack of wolves after they smell a scent.
Their behavior is why many people call them a more dog-like breed than many other cat breeds. But, in the end, they’re still cats, and you’ll see them spend most of their lives like house cats.
get wolf cat
People see them, read them, and ask “How can I get one?“. Getting Lykoi isn’t as hard as it used to be. People started wanting them in 2011 when they first saw them.
Unborn kittens can be kept in a pet house. Most breeders now place kittens in pet homes. It’s still very limited.
There are fewer than 150 standard wolf cats in the world, and this number includes pets and breeding animals.
Even though it is a new breed, there has been deceptive advertising and sales of cats that are not Lykoi.
Some will claim to sell you a cat, then disappear as soon as they get your money. I would suggest that anyone interested in owning a wolf cat should get in touch with the breeder, talk to them, and decide if you want a wolf cat.
I want to thank everyone who has supported Lykoi over the years, especially our loyal fans. Without our fans, we would not have the active support to bring this beautiful breed to the world.
About the author:
Johnny Gobble has been a practicing veterinarian for 21 years in Vonore, Tennessee, USA.he
Lives with his wife Brittney and three children (Ali, Brooklyn and Obadiah)
Sweetwater, Tennessee, USA.
They have been engaged in feline breeding and TICA for nearly ten years, and have more than 20 years of comprehensive breeding experience. Johnny was the co-founder, first breeder and major contributor to the Wolfcat Breed.
He is the Breed chair of TICA and communicates with Lykoi researchers. Over 70% of the world’s wolf cats are a direct result of the work Johnny and Britney have done.
Official website: https://lykoikitten.com/
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
