Lykoi vs Havana Brown - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The rare Havana Brown cat seems to be a result of a planned breeding between Siamese and domestic black cats.

It was in the 1950s that cat fanciers in the UK became the early breeders. These breeders called themselves the Havana Group. They created the foundation of the modern-day Havana Brown cat.

These breeders managed to produce chocolate shaded kittens which became known as the Chestnut Brown Oriental. Kittens arrived in the US and were crossbred with the Chocolate and Seal Point Siamese to produce chocolate-colored kittens.

In 1964, the Havana Brown was accepted for Championship status by the Cat Fanciers Association.

These cats were first discovered in 2010 in Virginia. It was Patti Thomas who named the breed Lykoi.

It was in 2012 that the cat breed went before the International Cat Association and is now recognized as a Championship Breed.

There is also work being done to expand the cat’s breeding program. It’s a naturally occurring gene in the feral cat population. There are still Lykoi cats born to the feral cat population.

The Havana Brown is a medium-sized cat, being somewhat slender and weighing between 3 and 6kg. The body is long and muscular and the cat has a beautiful brown short to medium-length coat.

The coat color is in fact a rich reddish-brown shade. The ears are fairly large and round-shaped and the oval-shaped eyes are a beautiful green.

Temperament:

The Havana Brown is an intelligent, playful, curious cat who enjoys being in the company of its human family. They tend to gravitate towards one favorite family member.

They’re cats that don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. They get on well with children and he also won’t object to becoming friends with the family dog as well.

Friendly though they may be, they also enjoy spending some time on their own. Individual personalities vary but most are playful and talkative.

The Lykoi varies quite a bit in looks and you get some that are completely covered in hair and some that are actually partially hairless. Strangely, they are born with quite a lot of black fur.

The cat has a solid black roan coat with no undercoat. Even though the cat is partially hairless, it molts a couple of times each year.

People are inclined to think that the little bit of hair would be wiry, when in fact it is soft and silky. It's just that it looks like bristles, but is actually not. People are always surprised by the coat's softness.

The Lykoi has a lean muscular body with large ears and eyes. He is a medium-sized cat and can weigh between 4 to 6kg.

Temperament:

The Lykoi is a friendly, people-oriented cat that is affectionate towards its human owners. This is also a playful cat breed and he is also intelligent and inquisitive.

The Lykoi is fond of his human family and makes a wonderful companion.

There is a good reason why the Havana Brown cat is so popular. People love the unusually rich brown coat which always has a gleam to it.

They also love that this chocolate-colored cat has a wonderful personality and can be a solid companion for humans. So long as you don’t leave him alone for a long time on his own, as that is part of his charm – wanting to be constantly involved with his human family.

People who have owned the Lykoi say that they make a remarkable and devoted pet. They want a lot of attention and they’re willing to give attention as well.

They’re social cats and want to spend time with their human companions. A cat that doesn’t receive the love and care it needs can become heartbroken and sick.

If you have one of these cats and your life has changed so that you can’t give it the attention it craves, at least provide it with a feline companion.

Cats aren’t all the aloof creatures they’re made out to be and your Lykoi is capable of making you a splendid companion.

There are no known genetic diseases associated with this breed. They may have a bit of a higher occurrence of gingivitis than other cat breeds, and this thought to come from them having their Siamese ancestry.

Beware of bladder stones with your cat which can start at any age. The stones can start off small but can grow larger, rubbing against the bladder walls and resulting in inflammation.

Bladder stones can also lead to blockage of the urethra so that your cat isn’t able to urinate. There are symptoms to indicate your pet may have bladder stones and these can be straining to urinate, painful and little urination, urinary tract infections, and blood in the urine.

This is a time when you want to get your pet to the vet just as soon as possible.

Also, be on the watch for eye infections. Conjunctivitis is one of these to look out for but there are other eye infections your cat can experience. They can come about because of an upper respiratory infection that spreads to the eyes, but they can be caused by any number of things such as bacteria, parasites, and viral infections.

You’ll notice your cat pawing at his eyes and there may even be redness, discharge, and swelling. You vet will be able to treat eye infections with ointments and eye drops.

This cat is vulnerable to being cold and it should essentially be an indoor cat. If your Lykoi cat escapes, it can’t possibly keep warm on its own.

The Lykoi cat has not shown any specific health problems but being hairless, it is vulnerable to respiratory issues. Eye discharge as well as perpetual sneezing are characteristics of a cat with Feline Upper Respiratory Disease.

The cat’s mouth, sinuses, nasal passages, and upper airway are all affected. Your cat will need to get to the vet for a diagnosis and medical treatment. There are vaccines to prevent feline upper respiratory disease.

Any cat can develop this disease and your cat may have trouble breathing.

With the cat’s short coat, he experiences little shedding so very little grooming is required. A gentle brush once a week will be enough. These cats love attention and submit easily to a brush and body rub with a soft rubber brush.

Check inside the mouth as periodontal disease is a problem with cats. You want to make sure that there aren’t any bad teeth as this can cause a lot of pain.

A vet can also be useful in examining your cat and pinpointing problems.

Check the inside of the ears too because they can become somewhat clogged with wax and dirt. If you don’t want to probe inside the cat’s ears with a cotton ball with warm water and apple cider vinegar, you can take your cat to the vet or to a professional cat groomer.

Keep the litter box of your cat spotlessly clean as these cats are fussy with cleanliness.

With the Lykoi’s lack of a coat, it isn’t going to require too much grooming. However, you have to keep a watch on this cat as without hair, he is vulnerable to sunburn and to getting cold.

The cat has oily skin and it’s one cat breed that will need a bath occasionally. Some people recommend it once a week. Use warm water and a special pet shampoo recommended by your vet. Every trace of shampoo will need to be washed off to avoid the skin becoming irritated.

Provide your cat with food and water bowls, bedding, litter box, collar, grooming accessories and toys.

The Lykoi will require his nails being clipped.

Your Lykoi will require a nice warm, soft bed to rest and sleep in.

Cat food is a huge, important decision for any cat, as their very health depends on it. Commercially manufactured cat foods are available as wet and dry. Make sure you always get your cat food from a reliable source.

Some people believe in offering their cat both wet and dry options. Whatever you decide for your cat, remember that it needs to be at least 70% protein as every cat is a carnivore and requires a diet rich in protein.

If in any doubt, rather speak to your veterinarian and ensure that your Lykoi is getting the best food there is to promote good health. Always make sure that your cat has access to fresh cool water night and day.