This relatively new cat breed developed at the beginning of the 2000s. This hairless cat breed became very popular due to its eagerness to socialize and interact with people. What is very important about this breed is that it gets along well with other animals.
Making a detailed description of this cat breed you will probably find many useful information or decide to get one as your pet.
History and Origin of the Ukrainian Levkoy
This cat breed was introduced by Elena Biriukova in the year 2000. She has crossed the hairless Donskoy female cat with a Scottish Fold male cat. That is exactly how we prove the genetic legacy and describe a Ukrainian Levkoy as a hairless cat with folded ears.
The breed was in the coming years being developed by trying experimental matting of Oriental Cats and non-pedigreed cats. That helped the cat breeders to improve their genetic status. Today’s appearance of the Ukrainian Levkoy has been achieved by Mss. Biriukova in 2004 and naming it as one of the newest cat breeds is not at all a mistake.
The Ukrainian Levkoy is recognized as a show breed only in Russia and Ukraine which is its native country. The name was made because of its origin. If you are curious about the second word in its name it is due to the forward folded ears which remind people of the folded leaves of the Levkoy plant. A sort that is characteristic of Ukraine.
Physical Characteristics of the Ukrainian Levkoy
Ukrainian Levkoy cat has a slim body held by strong legs. Their tail is short and very flexible. It has exposed cheekbones and large ears. The eyes of a Ukrainian Levkoy are in an almond shape in a half-closed position. The predominant eye colors are blue or green.
An adult Ukrainian Levkoy cat is considered to be a medium size cat with an approximate weight between 8-12 pounds. Ukrainian Levkoy belongs to a group of hairless and Semi-hairless cats with folded or rarely but possibly straight ears. The life span of these cats is between 8-12 years.
The coat color of a Ukrainian Levkoy depends on the genetic combination. Ukrainian Levkoy can be found in a variety of skin colors.
Regarding their “coat,” we can say that they are completely hairless, velour if they have short and fine hair, or brush if their rare hair is curled.
Temperament and Behavior
Ukrainian Levkoy are very intelligent cats. They love to interact with people, especially their owners. They are affectionate and loyal cats. Like all the members of the cat family, they are very curious. They can easily adapt to any surroundings and can accept the presence of other animals in the family. Around strangers, they can show their shy side and it is advisable to not push them but leave the relationship to develop.
Ukrainian Levkoy is very easy to train. These cats love to learn tricks, enjoy interactive games, and can be thought to walk on a leash.
One of the rarely mentioned facts is that Ukrainian Levkoy cats can expose a sexual dimorphism. That is a situation when some cats of the breed are not related to reproduction. Because of the difference in size although they belong to the same breed. The best example can be the difference in size between a male and a female.
Ukrainian Levkoy cats are vocal cats. You will notice this when they want to alert their owner for food. These cats like to have an outdoor space to run and release energy.
Owning a Ukrainian Levkoy you will have to obtain many toys and spend time playing with your cat because they do need quality mental stimulation. If they have a quality content life, they are calm and nice, but if they feel lonely, they can become destructive.
This house cat is very friendly with children.
Care and Maintenance of Ukrainian Levkoy
If by any chance you were counting on less maintenance because Ukrainian Levkoy are hairless cats you were wrong. It needs more time to be taken care of than longhaired breeds.
Ukrainian Levkoy is assumed to be high maintenance since its skin oil builds up over its skin and your cat will easily become greasy. If not scrubbed away this skin oil can cause a skin problem for your cat. To prevent any skin problems, you will have to remove this fatty layer from the cat’s skin by bathing it with mild special cat shampoo. If you are not able to bath your cat then you can simply wipe it with a wet cloth or wet wipes.
Since these cats are hairless you should take care of their body temperature. On a cold day do not leave it without a sweater, and when it is hot and sunny you will have to put a suntan cream on its skin. Ukrainian Levkoy cats love to walk on a sunny day. This is something that you should discuss with your vet who will suggest what is the best for your cat.
Same as all cats the Ukrainian Levkoy cat needs quality balanced food based on meat proteins. The portions have to be customized to the age, size, and health needs of the cat. Your vet is the most competent person to advise you. All diets that are rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 acids are of great benefit for these hairless cats.
Ukrainian Levkoy is prone to dental problems inherited from the Donskoy breed so you should feed them with dental protection food. You should always take care of your cat to have a bowl of fresh water.
And once again a reminder to consult your vet so you obtain a quality diet that meets the needs of your cat.
Be extremely careful with the ears of a Ukrainian Levkoy. Folded ears catch more dust than others. Check and clean them regularly to avoid any irritation or inflammation. If you notice redness ask an immediate help from your vet.
Health Issues of a Ukrainian Levkoy
So far there is not much info about health issues besides the common health conditions in other cat breeds. Donskoy cats were affected by dysplasia and dental issues, while the Scottish Fold cats are known to have kidney issues and cardiomyopathy. Prevention is the best cure, so visit the vet regularly for an overall check of your cat’s condition.Conclusion
Treat your Ukrainian Levcoy gently and you will get the best cat ever. Grooming and regular bathing are crucial for your cat’s healthy skin. Use moisturizers to hydrate their skin. Those products have to be only for cats’ use. Try to spend quality time with your Ukrainian Levkoy since it is a very intelligent cat that likes to have mental stimulation.
