Lykoi Cat Care

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the Lykoi is its hair...or lack thereof. Understanding the many fascinating aspect of their unique coat will enhance your joy. 

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Layers

Most cats have three distinct layers

• Guard hairs: These are the outermost hairs...the ones you feel when you pet your cat. Your Lykoi's guard hairs can be short or long. Long-haired Lykoi often have a thinner coat than short-haired Lykoi and less hair on their legs, paws, and face. While this is not always the case as lines vary based on the individual's genetics and the lineage of the cat.  Lykoi cats only have guard hairs. 

• Awn hairs: These are the secondary layer of hairs. They are intermediate in length and intermingle with the Guard hairs, providing warmth. Lykoi do not have awn hairs.

• Down hairs: This layer is also referred to as the undercoat. This is the softest and shortest layer of the hair. The down hairs help keep the cat warm in cold weather. The Lykoi does not have an undercoat.​​
   

Roan Coat

The Lykoi is the only domestic cat with a roan coat pattern. Interspersed throughout the coat are white hairs. The number, or percentage of white hairs can change over time. After a Lykoi molts, the percentage of white hairs in its coat can change dramatically when it grows back. A cat that's mostly black can end up looking grey after regrowing its coat. The roan patterning is most distinct in darker coated Lykoi like the black and blue ones. But even torties and white cats have a roan coat, but they may not be as apparent.

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Molting and Patchiness

Many, but not all Lykoi, molt multiple times a year. While some of that molting may be in sync with seasonal changes, it appears that it's mostly a genetic trigger that causes the hair loss. Depending on the line and the individual Lykoi genetics, your cat may molt once, twice, or multiple times a year. Also, what that molt looks like appears to be dependent on the cat. Some lose it just on their hair and chest, others on the neck and back, others on their hips. The amount of time it takes for the hair to grow back is specific to the cat too. Some grow back incredibly fast. I've seen cats that lost almost all of their hair and after a couple weeks it begins to grow back...and fast! In three weeks your cat could be fully furred again. Others may take months to grow back their hair, and still others remain patchy througout their lives. Often, your Lykoi will look like it's in the process of transitioning from one form to another.  Having a Lykoi often feels like you're getting multiple cats in one as they go through cyclical changes. 

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How does their hair feel?

The Lykoi's hair looks spiky so I wouldn't fault you for thinking its texture is rough. But it's not. Most people are surprised the first time they pet one that it's just as soft as most cats. The spiky look is due more to the nature of their hair follicles, that support fewer hairs than normal. 

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What about its skin?

That's a different story. Unlike the sphynx, which feels like a suede hot bottle to me, the Lykoi's skin has a slightly tacky feel. In a sense, it feels like...skin. Humid skin. So, it may surprise you at first, but in no time at all you will love it. We'll talk a little more about skin in the next section.​

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Hair Care

​Ah, we're finally here; the point of this section. Now that we know a little more about their hair, how do you take care of it. Because they have no undercoat, oils from the skin can collect on the body of the cat, especially in molt seasons. So you will want to give your cat a bath when it gets a bit grungy feeling. There's no particular schedule to this as each Lykoi is an individual. One Lykoi may need bi-weekly baths, another, once a year. Uses a gentle pet shampoo or one made specifically for Sphynx cats.

 

NOTE: Topical flea and tick medication will just roll off of your cat's body since there is no undercoat and the guard hairs can be rather sparse. Edible flea medications may be more suitable for your pet. 

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Brushing your cat is something you won't need to do very often. Using a soft brush or one of the rubber massage brushes will help remove any dead hairs. So in the case of Lykoi, less is more. Aggressive brushing can dislodge healthy hairs, so if you're a bit obsessive with brushing your cat, just run a dampened cloth across its back instead.

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