Lykoi
The Lykoi — Greek for "wolves" — is one of the most unusual-looking domestic cat breeds, developed from a natural partial-hairless mutation discovered in feral cat populations in the USA in 2010.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
2.5–4.5 kg (5.5–10 lbs)
Height
20–25 cm (8–10 in)
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Lykoi — Greek for "wolves" — is one of the most unusual-looking domestic cat breeds, developed from a natural partial-hairless mutation discovered in feral cat populations in the USA in 2010. The Lykoi's distinctive appearance comes from its coat: a partial hairlessness that leaves the face (around the eyes, nose, and muzzle) bare while the rest of the body has a patchy, roan coat of black and white hairs — creating a remarkably convincing werewolf appearance. The mutation was independently verified to be safe by dermatologists before the breeding programme began.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Lykoi has a medium-sized, lean body and a distinctively lupine face — bare skin around the eyes, nose, and muzzle creating a mask-like appearance, with a sparse, roan coat of mixed pigmented and unpigmented hairs on the body. The eyes are large and golden. The overall effect is unmistakably wolf-like. The coat can thin further with age or seasonal changes.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Despite their fearsome appearance, Lykois are gentle, loyal, and dog-like. They form strong bonds with their family, enjoy interactive play, and are sociable with people. They retain a strong predatory play instinct.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •The roan coat requires gentle grooming — the partial hairlessness means the skin needs occasional wiping as with other hairless-type cats. The bare facial skin should be checked for sun damage. The coat sheds significantly during seasonal changes.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
The Lykoi mutation was verified by dermatologists to be caused by a lack of hair follicle components necessary to support hair growth — not a disease. Generally healthy. HCM. Skin care for bare areas.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
The Lykoi mutation was independently verified by dermatologists at the University of Tennessee before the breed programme began — dermatologist Solange Lemaire confirmed the hairlessness was not caused by disease but by a unique follicular mutation.
Lykoi cats moult dramatically — they can lose almost their entire coat periodically and regrow it, cycling between nearly hairless and fully roan-coated depending on season and age.
The name "Lykoi" is the plural of the Greek word "lykos" (wolf) — chosen because the cat's appearance strongly resembles popular depictions of werewolves.
