I suppose if you don’t believe in ghosts, then the answer to the question “can cats see ghosts?” is “no, ghosts don’t exist.” But that’s boring. We’re here for some spooky season fun! If you have seen your cat staring intently at nothing and wondered what they see that you don’t, this article is for you.
Cats’ Remarkable Senses
Do Cats See Ghosts?
Cats certainly can see and sense things that we humans cannot. Cats’ eyes are adapted to see very well in low light because they are naturally most active at dawn and dusk, when most of their prey is awake [1-5]. Their night vision is six times better than ours because they have so many more light-sensing rod cells in their retinas [3, 5]. Cats also have a reflective layer of tissue behind their retinas called the tapetum lucidum which helps them maximize light absorption [4, 5].
Not only can cats see with just the tiniest amount of light, but they can see wavelengths of light that are completely invisible to us [2-6]! Humans see a lot of colors and a lot of detail, but we cannot see ultraviolet light [5, 6]. However, cats and many other animals can [6]. The list includes dogs which many people also believe can see ghosts [2]. Scientists don’t always know why some animals see the wavelengths that they do, and that goes for cats [6]. Rodents use their ultraviolet vision to follow urine trails [6], so perhaps cats benefit from following their trails, too? Or maybe the extra light simply adds another boost to their dark vision. If ghosts are visible in the ultraviolet spectrum, though, then cats do see ghosts.
Do Cats Hear Ghosts?
Cats can also hear much better than we can. The better to catch little, squeaky mice, my dear. Their hearing is about six times sharper than ours [1, 2]. That includes being able to hear sounds 1.5 octaves higher in pitch [4, 5]. Many people believe that ghosts speak outside our hearing range, but perhaps our cats can pick up on them. Think about that the next time your kitty’s ears perk up, and you didn’t hear anything.
Ghosts in the ceiling?
When I first adopted my cat Joon, I lived in a top-floor apartment with a roommate and her cat. The whole time I lived in that apartment, I would hear what sounded like footsteps or furniture being moved around in the apartment above us–except, of course, there was no apartment above us. Just the roof. I thought maybe my ears were playing tricks on me and the sounds were actually coming through the walls, not the ceiling, until I got Joon. In the evenings, when the noises started, she would stare up at the ceiling for the longest time and sometimes sit up on her haunches like she wanted to swat at whatever was up there. I never did figure out if we had ceiling ghosts or people living in the walls or what, but it was very creepy, that’s for sure. Since I moved out of that apartment, Joon has never shown that much interest in the ceiling. Unless there’s a bug on it, of course.
Do Cats Feel Ghosts?
Perhaps the most remarkable of the feline senses is their ability to feel tiny vibrations and changes in the air. A cat’s whiskers detect changes in temperature and air current around them [2, 4, 5]. This helps them navigate small spaces, know what’s around them in the dark, and feel oncoming danger without having to turn around [4, 5]. Perhaps it also helps cats feel any spirits walking by–or through–them.
“That’s one of the things that truly makes animals better than us, smarter than us. Cats aren’t burdened by a lifetime of belief like us. Cats are worried about what could or couldn’t be. They’re worried about what is.”
It’s hard to figure out what your cat is looking at if you can’t see it. Maybe they hear a mouse in the wall or see a tiny bug that you just can’t perceive with your human senses. Maybe they do see a ghost! If your cat seems to be stressed by something you can’t see, however, do your best to investigate. Make sure a medical problem isn’t the culprit. Cats can behave very strangely when they’re in pain and don’t understand why. Also, check for any sources of stress in the physical realm, like a neighborhood cat whose presence outside is putting your pet on edge. If you’ve ruled out any material causes, and your cat still seems upset by a presence in the home, then it might be time to call some ghost busters. On the other hand, if your cat isn’t bothered by that thing they stare at in the corner, only curious, maybe don’t worry about it too much.
Black cats are a quintessential symbol of Halloween. Unfortunately, their association with Spooky Season is tied to their reputation for bringing bad luck. How many of us have heard that it is an ill omen for a black cat to cross your path? Of course, it is just a matter of genetics that makes one cat black and another ginger or white. Why did black cats get such a bad rap? The history of this myth goes back hundreds if not thousands of years.
Faeries and Familiars
It is hard to pin down a precise origin of the black cat legend. Folklore from numerous places and times likely contributed. In Celtic myth, a fairy called the Cat Sith or King of Cats appears as a black cat with a white chest [9]. Like many fairies, he may bless you if shown respect, but you had better not cross him.
In Scotland, a tale is told about a man who saw a funeral procession of cat carrying the body of a black cat with a white chest while yowling “The King of Cats is dead!” Well, this was quite the spectacle, so the man went home and told his family what he had seen. When he finished his story, the man’s own tuxedo cat leapt to his feet and shouted, “Then that makes me the King of Cats!” The new Cat Sith flew up the chimney, and his humans never saw him again. [9]
The Irish tell a darker version of this story. A man lived in a cottage in a village in Ireland. All his neighbors were careful to keep the fae folk happy. To this end, they left out milk for the Cat Sith once a week. But not this man, oh no. He thought it was a bunch of hogwash. His neighbors insisted that the Cat Sith kept their crops safe and prevented unwanted spirits from interfering with the land, but he would have none of it. In fact, he decided to prove them wrong. [9]
One night, he set out a cut of poisoned milk. Later, he heard a knock at the door, but when he opened, there was no late caller. There was a black cat with a white chest dying on his doorstep. The man just went down to the pub to ask whose cat it was. Well, after a few pints, he started telling everyone the whole story. Suddenly, the black-and-white cat that lived in the pub stood up and announced, “Then that makes me the King of Cats!” The new Cat Sith then ran at the cat-king-killer and attacked him. The Cat Sith drove the man out of town, and he was never seen nor heard from again. [9]
According to legend, the Cat Sith would steal the souls of the recently deceased by walking over their graves. As such, cats–especially black cats–used to be chased out of graveyards in case they were the Cat Sith trying to steal someone’s soul. [9]
Witchcraft and the Medieval Era
Medieval Europe was fertile ground for negative folklore about black cats. In 1233, Pope Gregory IX declared that black cats are an incarnation of the devil [12]. Christians across the continent took the message to heart, rounding up black cats and burning them alive at village festivals as “punishment” [12]. Western Christianity continued to view cats as emissaries of Satan for hundreds of years. So many black cats were killed during the Medieval era that domestic cats were nearly extinct in parts of Europe by the 1300s [12]. It’s thought that the loss of so many cats may actually have contributed to the spread of bubonic plague [4]. No cats means lots and lots of rats. Tragically, the people of Medieval Europe had no idea what good luck the cats were to have around.
Over time, it wasn’t as common to believe that black cats were literally the devil, but rather that they did the work of the devil through witchcraft. One version of the superstition held that black cats were more likely to be the familiars of witches [3, 6, 12]. A familiar is an animal which aids in the performance of magic or carries out magical tasks. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that cats, especially those with black pelts, helped witches to carry out evil spells, spy on their victims, and communicate with the devil [4, 11]. Some people even thought that black cats could become a witch themselves if they served as a witch’s familiar for seven years [12].
The other incarnation of this belief was that black cats were witches in disguise [3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12]. According to one Welsh folktale, a popular inn owned by two sisters had trouble with a thief stealing the valuables of travelers [8]. The lodgers couldn’t explain how the thefts occurred because their rooms were still locked in the morning, yet their money was gone [8]. Word of this mystery reached a retired army officer named Huw Llwyd, and he went to stay at the inn himself to solve it [8]. At night, he kept his sword in bed and pretended to sleep, until he saw two cats slink down the partition between his room and the next [8].
The cats played with Huw’s clothes until one of them found the pocket where he kept his purse. The cat stuck their paw in, but Huw sprang forward and sliced the paw off. Both cats screamed and disappeared into the night. The next morning, one of the innkeepers was absent. Huw inquired after her, but her sister said she was indisposed. Huw refused to leave until he bid her goodbye. Of course, he found that the “indisposed” sister was missing her right hand, as he had expected. Huw ran the witches out of town. [8]
Another gruesome legend, this one from Lincolnshire, England, tells of a father and son who came upon a black cat. Suspecting it of being a witch, they pelted it with stones. The next day, they saw the witch in her human form. She had bandages on her face. She died soon thereafter. [3]
Bad Luck and Bad Omens
In North America, it is still a common maxim that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck. Scholars think that Norman and Germanic peoples originated this saying [4]. They believed that spotting a black cat was an omen of death [4]. The Norse goddess Hel, who was associated with death, included black cats among her symbols [3]. Later European folklore evolved to say that a black cat crossing your path by moonlight meant an outbreak of disease and death was coming [6].
In 16th century Italy, a black cat laying on someone’s sickbed was thought to herald their death [11]. In parts of Wales, an old proverb cautions “Na chadw byth yn nghyleh dy dŷ/Na cheiliog gwyn na chath ddu,” or “Never keep about thy house/A white rooster or black cat” [8]. And of course, vestiges of belief in witchcraft alone have sometimes given black cats a reputation for being evil or bad luck in the Western world [3].
Cats are an integral part of folklore all over the world. Books and movies have spotlighted the notion that black cats are bad luck, but many cultures still believe just the opposite. Even within a country, opinions may differ. In Wales, although one proverb cautions against ever keeping a black cat, another traditional saying promises that having a black cat in the house brings good luck and drives away fevers [8].
A black cat, I’ve heard it said,
Can charm all ill away,
And keep the house wherein she dwells
From fever’s deadly sway.
Welsh folk-lore by Elias Owen (1896)
Japan holds cats in high regard in general. The Japanese say that black cats specifically bring a certain kind of luck. Owning a black cat will bring suitors to a woman’s door [4]. Simply encountering a black cat may bring luck in love [11]. Lucky Maneki Neko or “beckoning cat” statues are sometimes black. Black Maneko Neko are believed to ward off evil and illness.
Additionally, some sailors believe that black cats are extra lucky to have onboard a ship [6, 11]. Fishermen’s wives sometimes kept black cats to ensure their husbands returned home safely [6]. In Scotland, a black cat appearing at your door or on your porch is said to bring prosperity [11]. And in a variety of places, dreaming of a black cat or finding a single white hair in one’s pelt is good luck [11]. So it really depends who you ask whether black cats bring bad luck or good. Unfortunately, it is the black cats themselves who may be the recipients of their reputed curse.
Are Black Cats in Danger at Halloween?
Rumor has it that Halloween is not a good time to be a black cat. Expert opinion on the matter is mixed, however. For a long time, some animal shelters have refused to adopt out black cats during October/near Halloween [1, 2, 5, 10]. There are two reasons for this. One is that they fear the animals will be ritualistically killed or tortured for a sick Halloween “prank” [1, 2, 5, 10]. The other is that people might adopt a black cat in a flurry of seasonal spirit, then abandon their kitty when Spooky Season is over [1, 10].
Without a doubt, there are people who hurt animals just because they can. Whether black cats are at high risk around Halloween, it’s hard to say for certain. Part of that fear is clearly rooted in misunderstanding. Halloween is celebrated by neo-pagans as Samhain, an old Gaelic festival of the dead. Combined with the vestiges of the Satanic Panic, we’re left with the belief that witches and Satanists sacrifice black cats at Halloween in arcane rituals [1, 2, 5]. Real witches and Satanists aren’t about that sort of thing. It wouldn’t be surprising for a neo-pagan to engage in ritual magic on Samhain, but they won’t be killing any black cats in the process.
What about those who engage in the sadly ordinary forms of animal cruelty? Are black cats “an easy target for Halloween pranksters who commit violent acts against unsuspecting kitties,” as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals tells us [10]? They certainly can be. But so are cats of other colors, and puppies, and gerbils, and whatever other innocent animals they might get their hands on. It doesn’t have to be Halloween for people like that to engage in such unconscionable behavior, either. It happens all the time. Fortunately, a lot of animal shelters have measures in place to prevent people from adopting an animal just so they can torture it. It still happens sometimes, but not as often as it might. Animal shelters don’t make you fill out all that paperwork for the fun of it.
According to Francis Battista, cofounder of Best Friends Animal Society, “There is no evidence that black cats are at special risk of abuse if adopted around Halloween” [1]. What about the second problem, though? Do people actually adopt black cats as nothing more than Halloween decorations? There doesn’t seem to be any data on this. It would be a hard thing to study, after all. Who would want to admit to that? These days, more shelters are accepting whatever small risk there might be of this and relinquishing their bans on October black cat adoptions so that more black cats can find loving homes [1].
Are Black Cats Less Likely to Be Adopted?
The more opportunities black cats have to be adopted, the better, because there is some data to suggest that black cats may have a harder time finding homes. Lepper et al studied cat and dog adoptions at the Sacramento County Department of Animal Care and Regulation for 20 months [7]. They analyzed six factors they thought might contribute to adoption rates: breed, coat color, age, sex (including intact or sterilized), hair length, and reason for impoundment [7]. Among their findings, the data indicated that coat color in cats made a difference in how often they were adopted. The researchers set tabby cats as the baseline [7]. Black cats were only adopted 59% as often as tabbies!
Happy Halloween! – Image by LorysCats from Pixabay
This supports the common maxim that black cats are less likely to be adopted than other colors. However, brown cats were in the same boat, adopted 56% as often as tabbies [7]. And black-and-white cats, which I’ve always heard are less adoptable, too, were not adopted at a statistically different rate than tabbies [7]. White, color-point, and gray cats were adopted more often, if you were curious [7]. Additionally, a 2013 study at Colorado State University concluded that it takes 4-6 days longer for black cats to be adopted than cats of any other color [12].
The observations of shelter workers count for something in their own right. They tend to report that black and black-and-white cats stay in the shelter longer and are euthanized more often. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claims that it’s all a myth [10]. They say that the only reason there are more black cats in shelters is because there are more black cats in the population [10]. Black coat color comes from a dominant gene, making it a very common color in domestic cats.
Still, shelter staff have their own say on the matter. “There definitely is a preference for other colors in my opinion. We have adopted out more than 10,000 cats and time and time again, black cats are always overlooked,” explains Samantha Shelton, president of Furkids no-kill shelter in Georgia, USA [10]. Whatever the truth about their adoption rate, black cats need loving homes just like all other kitties. Some shelters have special adoption days for black cats and dogs, sometimes on Black Friday or perhaps August 17, National Black Cat Appreciation Day in the US! So adopt, don’t shop, and give a black cat a forever haunt.
Lepper, M., Kass, P. H., and Hart, L. A. (2002). Prediction of adoption versus euthanasia among dogs and cats in a California animal shelter. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 5(1), 29-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/S15327604JAWS0501_3
Werelions, weretigers, werejaguars, oh my! That was my where my brain was at about thirty seconds into my research on ailuranthropy, or the phenomenon of humans transforming into big cats (from the Greek ailouros “cat” and anthropos “human”). I hadn’t intended for this to be a series, but I quickly realized that werecats were a much larger topic than I had expected. This means I get to draw the Halloween blogs out longer, so I can’t complain. We will begin the series with the cat people that stalk human prey in the folktales of Asia: the weretigers.
Weretigers are the most frequently occurring kind of were-creature in the folklore of tropical Asia (1, 2). Tales about these creatures can be found in the mythology of China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia, just to name a few. Humans have lived alongside tigers in this part of the world forever, really, although the decline of tigers has tragically made that less the case. In Europe, the most fearsome natural predator was the wolf, giving rise to stories of humans becoming wolves. There was no more appropriate metaphor for the animal within. Where the tiger is the king of the jungle, however, humans become cats.
Under Their Skin
The stories about weretigers are almost as different as the people and places where they are told. In only some of them are people bodily transformed into tigers. Often, the transformation takes place once the weretiger puts on a tiger skin with or without an accompanying incantation (3, 4). The European werewolf is frequently made the same way. There are some stories where people became weretigers accidentally after slipping into a tiger skin (4). One story tells of a Chinese monk who put on a tiger skin to play a practical joke, only to become a tiger and remain so for a year (4).
Alternatively, a person may become a weretiger by burning incense, reciting an incantation, and throwing his clothes off (5, 6). By shedding their clothes, they are shedding their personhood, in a sense, and once naked they transform into a tiger (5, 6). If someone steals the clothes, the weretiger will not be able to turn back into a human (6).
My personal favorite tactic, however, involves circling an anthill seven times clockwise while repeating a secret charm (7). This lacks the obvious symbolism of stripping off one’s humanity but is infinitely more bizarre. To turn back, simply do the opposite: walk around the anthill counterclockwise seven times while repeating the charm (7). Does this mean weretigers can talk? Does it have to be the same anthill? I have no idea, but I love it.
Some transformation rituals require one or more accomplices. In one, a practitioner recites particular spells, or mantras, over a measure of water (1). An assistant then sprinkles the water over the weretiger to effect the transformation (1). To change them back, the assistant sprinkles the water over them again (1). In some versions of the throw-off-the-clothes ritual, the only way to become human again is for someone to hurl the weretiger’s clothes at them while they are in tiger form (1). If a weretiger’s accomplice is unable or unwilling to help for whatever reason, they will be stuck as a tiger, presumably for the rest of their life (5).
Tiger Spirits
In some beliefs, a person becomes a weretiger when they are possessed by a spirit. The Lisu people of Laos believe that weretigers can possess people and may then possess their family members in turn (8). They also believe that those who are thus possessed will put “the essence of the weretiger” into a valuable object and leave it lying on a path (8). Whoever picks the object up will be possessed, too (8). I can only imagine the chain reactions of weretiger possession that ensue from a single Weretiger Zero.
On the other hand, there is a folk belief in Malaysia that certain families are already tigrine by birth (9). After death, they become tigers that somewhat resemble their human selves and remember their human lives (9). These tigers visit their humans relatives during festivals or times of great turmoil and can sometimes be called upon for help (9). When a human member of the family is about to die, at least one of their tiger relatives will come to hold vigil outside the house, waiting (9). A few days after death, their grave will be found opened, and a representative tiger will appear in the nearby forest (9). The journal article describing this belief was written in 1922 (9), so it is possible that the lore has died out by now. Unless, of course, it’s not just a myth.
Interestingly, there is a major type of weretiger that does not involve any metamorphosis at all. These weretigers leave their human bodies in their sleep to become tigers. In the lore of certain indigenous peoples of India and south Asia, some individuals naturally have the ability to be this kind of weretiger (1, 2). When these weretigers dream, a part of their soul travels into the jungle and joins with the soul of a live tiger (1, 2). The weretiger then acts out the desires of the sleeping human, which can sometimes result in the property destruction, injury, or death of the weretiger’s enemies (1, 2).
The weretiger and their tiger have a close relationship. They always migrates into the same tiger, night after night, for their entire life (1, 2). If the tiger is wounded or killed while bonded with the weretiger’s soul, the human body suffers the same fate (1, 2).
The Khasis of northeastern India ascribe to a variation of the dreaming weretiger belief. Khasis people believe that humans are divided into the body, the soul, and the rngiew (10, 11). The rngiew is a sort of essential, divine essence integral to each person (10). When the weretigers sleep, their rngiew leave their bodies and transform into tigers in the spirit world (10, 11). However, the spirit world and the physical one are not entirely separate, and the weretigers are able to interact with the material plane as tigers (10, 11). People either inherit the ability to be a weretiger or are chosen to receive the gift by a deity (10).
The Good, the Bad, and the Stripey
I have read a lot of old werewolf stories because that’s the kind of thing I do for fun. I can’t think of a single one where the werewolf was presented as anything other than a force for evil. Modern representations are much more varied, of course, but folklore decidedly depicts werewolves as bad dogs. Weretigers, however, are painted in many different lights.
Sometimes, weretigers engender terror. They are thought to kill people and livestock (1, 2, 4). But other times they are protectors (9, 10, 11, 12). The Khasis weretigers have a sacred duty to protect their communities from harm, including other weretigers (11). There are Chinese myths about weretigers who are the instruments of heaven, meting out divine fate whether they want to or not (4).
Sumatrans believe that were-tiger homes are made of roofs thatched with human hair, walls made of human skin, and beams of human bones.
Joane le Roux, New Straits Times
Weretigers have a complicated place in the folklore of Asia, both within and between cultures. Should you want to know how to recognize them, just to be safe, there are a few ways. One of the most common signs is that weretigers lack the groove on the upper lip (5, 9). A person caught vomiting chicken feathers is considered a likely suspect for a weretiger (12). I would suggest that that should make them suspect for something regardless. The tracks of the weretiger are distinctive because there are five toes on each paw, whereas normal tigers, like all cats, leave prints with five toes on the front paws and four on the back (10, 11). If you see large cat prints with any number of toes, perhaps the best practice is to depart with haste rather than start counting.
Works Cited
Brighenti, F. (2017). Traditional beliefs about weretigers among the Garos of Meghalaya. eTropic, 16(1), 96-111. PDF
Brighenti, F. (2011). Kradi mliva: The phenomenon of tiger-transformation in the traditional lore of the Kondh tribals of Orissa. Lokaratna, 4, 11-25. PDF
Casal, U.A. (1959). The goblin fox and badger and other witch animals of Japan. Folklore Studies, 18, 1-93. doi: 10.2307/1177429.
Hammond, C.E. (1992). Sacred metamorphosis: The weretiger and the shaman. Acta Orientalia Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 46(2/3), 235-255. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23658449
Wessing, R. (1995). The last tiger in East Java: Symbolic continuity in ecological change. Asian Folklore Studies, 54(2), 191-218. doi: 10.2307/1178941
Wessing, R. (1994). “Bangatowa,” “Patogu” and “Gaddhungan”: Perceptions of the tiger among the Madurese. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 25(2), 368-380. https://www.jstor.org/stable/20071663
Biria, S.G.D. (1947). The Muria and their Ghotul. Oxford University Press.
bin Ahmad, Z.A. (1922). The tiger-breed families. Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 85, 36-39. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41561390
Lyngdoh, M. (2016). Tiger transformation among the Khasis of northeastern India: Belief worlds and shifting realities. Anthropos, 111(2), 649-658. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44791292
Kharmawphlang, D. (2000). In search of tigermen: The were-tiger tradition of the Khasis. India International Centre Quaterly, 27(4), 160-176. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23005708
I knew months in advance that I wanted to cover the Lykoi as the breed of the month for Encyclopaedia Felidae’s first October. There was no way I could pass up the opportunity to talk about the “werewolf cat” during spooky season. The Lykoi is so nicknamed for its appearance, which is entirely unique among pedigreed cats and reminds some people of the werewolves in classic film. They are also one of the newest and rarest breeds in the world.
Lykoi cats have cropped up in random-bred cat populations for a long time [1, 2]. It’s unknown just when the first Lykoi-type cat was born, but they were first recognized in September, 2010 by Patti Thomas, who found two partially-hairless kittens with their black Domestic Shorthair mother at a shelter and adopted them [3]. She began a breeding program with Tennessee veterinarian Jonny Gobble and his wife Brittney [3, 4, 5]. They obtained another, unrelated litter of kittens with the same appearance, and in 2011 they bred a cat from each to get the first intentionally-bred Lykoi [3, 4, 5].
Through the breeding program, the founders quickly realized that the Lykoi appearance came from a natural, recessive mutation [1, 4, 6]. Thomas, the Gobbles, and incoming breeders incorporated Domestic Shorthairs, primarily black ones, as well as any naturally occurring Lyoki that could be found into the breeding program to broaden the gene pool [3, 4, 6]. Despite some incredible drama in the Lykoi breeding community, the breed has seen rapid success, although it remains quite rare due to its newness. As of August 2020, there were still fewer than 100 show-standard Lykoi on the planet [2].
Breed Traits
The Lykoi’s striking coat is it’s stand-out feature. They are considered partially-hairless, although they can range from nearly bald to nearly full-coated [4, 6, 7]. Their sparse, thin pelt has little to no undercoat [1, 2, 6]. Instead, they are covered in a variable layer of guard hairs which make their fur look coarse in texture [2, 6, 7]. In fact, Lykoi actually have a soft, silky coat, despite appearances [2, 6, 7].
The Lykoi lacks fur on their facial “mask” and behind their ears [1, 2, 4, 7]. This, in addition to the rough appearance of their coat, gives them that werewolf look. That coat also has a pattern otherwise unknown among cats: roan, a mixture of colored and amelanistic hairs [4, 6, 7]. Amelanistic hairs are unpigmented and appear white. A roan coat can look silvery or frosty, but it depends upon how much roaning there is. A lot of roaning can cause an animal’s coat to look almost white. The traditional Lykoi color is black roan, and that is still the only color which can be shown in The International Cat Association (TICA) shows [4]. However, the Cat Fanciers’ Association now allows all solid and point colors [3, 6], and Lykoi of many different colors and patterns are being bred as pets.
There is another curious thing about a Lykoi’s fur. It molts. At least once. Lykoi kittens are born looking like any other kitten, and then after a week or two they lose their coat [7]. It regrows all werewolf-y [7]. This may happen as an adult cat, as well, as often as every shedding season [2, 3, 7]. When the coat grows back, it sometimes looks a little different than it did before [7].
The other breed standards for the Lykoi are fairly basic. After all, Lykoi came from Domestic Shorthairs, mostly random-bred ferals. Lykoi are medium-sized cats with short to medium hair [2, 6, 7]. They have rounded wedge-shaped heads and tapering tails [6, 7]. Their eyes are usually amber or green [2, 4].
Weird Science
When Lykoi cats were discovered, they were tested for known cat fur mutations. However, they do not have any of the genetic variants associated with the hairless Sphynx and the curly-haired Devon Rex, Selkirk Rex, German Rex, and Cornish Rex [8, 9]. A genome sequencing study published in May 2020 found six different loss-of-function mutations of the gene Hairless (a.k.a. lysine demethylase and nuclear receptor corepressor) in Lykoi [8]. Perhaps this shouldn’t be surprising, given that the breed came from random-bred cats with natural mutations in quite a few different populations. The study was able to confirm sixteen different Lykoi lineages [8]. It is interesting, though, that so many mutations arose in this particular gene, with the same result no less.
Hairless is important for skin function and hair maintenance [8], and this is borne out by what we know about the skin and hair of Lykoi. They have fewer and shallower hair follicles than Domestic Shorthairs [9]. Their hair shafts are thinner, but they have more oil gland tissue [9]. Lykoi frequently have hair follicles that are too small, too large, or misshapen [9]. The breed demonstrates lymphocytic mural folliculitis, an inflammatory skin condition with unclear impacts on the health of the cats, if any [9]. What is clear is that Lykoi have markedly different skin and hair than other cats. The scientists who studied their skin and hair up close hope that their unique traits may teach us more about dermatological disorders [9].
The Care and Keeping of Werewolves
Some Lykoi enthusiasts characterize their personalities as dog-like or wolfish. I’ll spare you the rant on how I feel about people saying that friendly cats are acting like dogs. Instead, I will simply say that that’s a bit silly. Lykoi are smart, energetic, and people-oriented [4, 5]. They can sometimes be shy with strangers, but they can usually learn to get along well with just about anyone, including children and other pets [4, 5]. Lykoi have guard-cat tendencies, wanting to keep watch over their toys and their people [4, 7].
Lykoi need plenty to occupy their active minds and bodies, but outdoor time is not a good option for this. Their sparse coats make them sensitive to cold and sunburn [1, 2, 6]. They need to be indoor-only cats, and if you have a catio, make sure it’s warm enough outside. You may even need to consider pet sunscreen.
Even without sunscreen, Lykoi can have a build-up of oils on their skin, just like hairless breeds do [1, 2, 6]. They need regular bathing to keep their skin clean, about once a month. They can also have buildup on their claws and in their ears, so those may need a quick cleaning once a week or so. Brushing is part of any good grooming routine, but because a Lykoi’s fur is so thin, you have to make sure to brush gently. Too harsh or too much brushing can irritate their skin [5].
As far as health goes, Lykoi are believed to be a healthy breed. There are no known health conditions associated with the breed except the lymphocytic mural folliculitis, which may or may not be a real problem. It remains uncertain. However, the breed is so new, and there are so few cats, that it is possible there are lurking health problems which haven’t become apparent [1, 2]. The best practice is to just watch a Lykoi for any signs of illness or injury, as you would a non-pedigreed cat.
A word of caution to anyone interested in getting a Lykoi: because the breed is so rare, and therefore so valuable, there are a lot of scams out there. This is the case with all pedigreed cats, but the rarer the breed, the worse it gets. Of course, this is just another reason to adopt, not shop! Even rare breeds end up in shelters, and Lykoi cats still turn up as natural mutations, too. Unfortunately, they are sometimes put down because staff think they are sick, especially if they molt [10]. Avoid a scam and adopt a vulnerable cat. There aren’t a lot of Lykoi-specific rescues yet. You can always check your local shelter if there isn’t one in your area, or you can try Werewolf Warriors Lykoi Cat Rescue, a Facebook group dedicated to placing Lykoi in need of forever homes.
Fun Facts
The name Lykoi comes from the Greek word for wolf, lycos [2, 8].
Lykoi have pink skin that will tan if exposed to sunlight or heat [4].
The Lykoi is one of the most genetically diverse breeds of cat, according to a joint Wisdom Health and TICA study [11].
Buckley, R.M., et al. (2020). Werewolf, there wolf: Variants in Hairless associated with hypotrichia and roaning in the lykoi cat breed. Genes, 11(6), 682. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11060682
LeRoy, M.L., et al. (2016). Clinical and histological discription of lykoi cat hair coat and skin. The Japanese Journal of Veterinary Dermatology, 22(3), 179-191. 10.2736/jjvd.22.179
Lytle, K.M., Anderson, H., Hutcherson, A., and Kajon, A.E. (2019). The International Cat Association-Wisdom Health State of the Cat study: lessons learned in genetic diversity by bringing panel testing to the cat fancy. The International Cat Association.PDF
Spooky season is upon us. Let me tell you, I live for Halloween. I start planning my costume about six months in advance. But what about a costume for kitty? There are certainly plenty of pre-made pet costumes calling out for your hard-earned money. Halloween stores, big box stores, and pet stores alike sell them, implicitly endorsing their use. But pet clothes are controversial, and it can be difficult to get to the truth. Is it really okay to dress up your cat?
Joon in her little t-shirt, 11-28-2018
When my Joon had her spay surgery, the vet’s office sent me home with the smallest Elizabethan collar (a.k.a. “cone of shame”) that they had. Unfortunately for me, Joon was a tiny, runty kitten, and even that was too big for her. No matter how hard I tried, the second I got the cone on, she would just slip her head right out. I called the vet in an entirely appropriate panic. They gave me some more tips for keeping the collar on, and they also said that I could try putting Joon in a little pet t-shirt.
Well, Joon would not wear that cone of shame. I bought a pink Spiderman t-shirt for toy dogs at the pet store and wrestled Joon into it. It served the purpose of keeping her from pulling out any stitches, but I noticed changes in her behavior right away. The six-month-old kitten was normally bursting with energy, but with that shirt on she mostly just sat. I thought it might be the pain meds, but as soon as the vet gave me the go-ahead to remove the shirt, Joon was no longer a zombie cat.
Of course, not all cats are like my cat. God in Heaven knows, not all cats are like my very, very unique cat. But she is like most cats in that cats generally do not like being made to wear much of anything. Almost any rule has exceptions, and there are sure to be a few cats out there that don’t mind playing dress-up. However, there are good reasons why putting cats in cute costumes and outfits is by and large a bad idea. We’ll go over them, and then we’ll discuss some exceptions and alternatives.
#1 Stress
If you’ve ever tried putting a wearable item on an unwilling cat, even if it was just putting a collar on them for the first time, then you know that they get quite upset about it. Cats are not accustomed to wearing anything other than their own fur coat. When clothes are put on them, they can feel trapped or ensnared. They’ll feel stressed while you try to wrangle them into the clothes, and if you succeed, they’ll likely feel stressed that they are stuck inside of them. You’ll know if they are, not just by the hissy fit they pitch while you get the outfit on.
Once in the clothes, cats that are stressed by wearing them may freeze, flop over, hide, or even scratch and paw at the clothes trying to get them off (1, 2). This is especially concerning for cats that are already anxious, but no cat should be put through unnecessary stress.
Cats are very athletic creatures, capable of all sorts of Olympic feats. As animals that are both predators and prey, they have to be. But stick them in a tuxedo or a hot dog costume, and the range of motion they are used to is suddenly no longer there. Not only can this be confusing and scary for them, it can also be dangerous. When their bodies are encumbered by cute clothes, cats may injure themselves trying to run, jump, dive under the sofa, or do some other gymnastic activity that should come naturally (3). Costumes tend to inhibit their senses as well as their mobility by blocking the eyes or ears or compressing the whiskers, only increasing the chances of a mishap (4, 5).
Another concern is that some costumes may pose a choking hazard (4, 5, 6). Buttons, bells, sequins, strings, and any number of other parts that may fall or be chewed off could be swallowed (4, 5, 6). Cats can choke on these pieces, or if they swallow them the small parts can get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract and cause life-threatening blockages that require surgery to repair (4, 5, 6).
#3 Cat Conflict
Scent is extremely important to cats. They use it to communicate and navigate their world. Putting clothes on a cat covers them in a strange scent. This can be disturbing for the cat wearing the costume (5), but in a multicat home it can cause conflict between cats (5, 6). The costumed cat won’t smell right, and that can cause other cats to avoid or attack them (5, 6). It’s similar to how cats react when one of them comes home from the vet smelling different, but with the added confusion of the funny-smelling cat not looking right, either.
If the cat with the clothes is especially upset, they might make it worse by lashing out in fear or frustration (5, 6). If a serious fight does get started, wearing clothes puts a cat at a disadvantage and may lead to injuries that wouldn’t happen if they were capable of properly defending themself or escaping (5, 6).
#4 Discomfort
Even if none of the aforementioned problems crop up, cats are just not very comfortable in clothes. The feeling of the fabrics rubbing on their fur, straps in awkward spots, sleeves holding their legs in place, or any number of other unpleasant aspects of pet clothing can make a cat unhappy. Items that cover the ears might make irritating sounds that could really grate on a cat’s sensitive hearing (5). Cats can also get overheated wearing clothes over their own fur coat, a circumstance which can range from uncomfortable to dangerous (3). Think about a time when you wore an itchy sweater or something else uncomfortable. Remember how you couldn’t wait to get out of it as soon as possible–and probably toss it in the donation box? Why put our cats through that if we don’t have to?
Milo (RIP) in a hat, 2012
Alternatives to Kitty Costumes
All is not lost if you want to spook your cat up for Halloween, however. If your cat is used to wearing collars, why not get them a collar with a spooky print? There are also collars with attached bowties or bandanas that you could use as a “costume,” but some cats might find even that bothersome. Don’t spend a lot of money on cute bowtie collars until you know whether your cat will hate them or not.
An option if you just want a quick photo of your cat looking like they’re in the spirit is a hat. Not the kind that straps onto their head, but rather one that just sits on top. It won’t stay there long, but you might be able to get a picture or two of them in it. Having done this once myself, I suggest putting the hat on your cat during their sleepy time, so you have enough time to get a picture before kitty starts to care that there’s something on their head. Make sure to give them a treat for putting up with your silliness!
When Cats Should Wear Clothes
As I alluded to earlier, there are circumstances in which cats should wear clothes, although that doesn’t mean elaborate costumes. Like Joon, some cats need a simple shirt or sweater as a part of postoperative care (7). They are sometimes even used in veterinary hospitals for this purpose and may be deemed preferable to an Elizabethan collar in some cases, as the collar can make it difficult for cats to eat and walk around (7). Also, hairless breeds or cats that have recently been shaved may need to wear something warm (3, 7). In these cases, keep the clothes simple, only what is needed for the situation, and introduce the clothes gradually and with positive reinforcement.
