Spotlight On The Ukrainian Levkoy

Like many of you, we have been deeply affected by the plight of Ukraine’s refugees over the past month. We are also concerned for its animals. Ukraine is home to a diverse population of wildlife. It’s also the birthplace of a very unique cat: the Levkoy. A Sarasota, FL vet discusses this fascinating kitty breed below.

Recent

Levkoys haven’t been around very long. The breed was developed back in 2004, by a breeder named Elena Vsevolodovna Birjukova. Birjukova decided to cross the floppy-eared Scottish fold with the Donskoy, a hairless kitty. The result? A sweet, playful kitty who, well, looks a little bit like a gargoyle.

What’s In A Name?

These interesting kitties were named after a plant: the Levkoy plant. This curious plant has bent leaves, which the Levkoy’s folded ears resemble.

They’re Hairless

One of the Levkoy’s most defining features is their fur … or lack thereof. Like the Donskoy, Sphynx, and Peterbald, Levkoys are usually hairless. Bald cats do have a few specific care needs. For instance, they get cold easily, so they need warm beds and comfy sweaters on chilly days.

A Tall Tail

Here’s another unique thing about Levkoys: they often have very long tails. Many of them are even pointed!

They Can Get Sunburned

Because they don’t have any fur protecting their skin, Levkoys can get burned on bright days. You may need to apply sunblock, though you’ll need to be careful to only use pet-safe options. Ask your vet for recommendations.

Coloring

Levkoys can be almost any color. However, many of them are gray. We did mention that they look like gargoyles, didn’t we? While not everyone wants a gargoyle cat, many people are quite smitten with these kittens!

Whiskers

Fluffy’s whiskers can also look different from other cats’. These actually vary from kitty to kitty. Some Levkoys have curly whiskers, some have straight ones, and some have no whiskers at all!

They’re Unofficial

The Levkoy isn’t yet recognized by any of the major international cat breeder associations, such as the CFA or TICA. They were, however, accepted by regional ones.

Wizard Kitties

Because of their unusual appearance, Levkoys have a very unique look. Many of them actually look quite wise, almost like a feline version of Yoda.

 As your local Sarasota, FL animal clinic, we are always here to help. Please feel free to contact us anytime!