The Ukrainian Levkoy cat is mix between the Donskoy (a Russian hairless cat breed) and the Scottish Fold. A relatively new cat breed developed sometime in the early 2000s, the Levkoy stands out with their unique physical characteristics. Known for their distinctive inward-folding ears and hairless or semi-hairless coat, the Ukrainian Levkoy might appear slightly unusual at first glance. However, for many fans of this breed, this individuality makes the Ukranian Levkoy cat so alluring.
Beyond their striking, if not different, physical attributes, the Ukrainian Levkoy personality is known for being playful, affectionate, and very loyal. These sweet cats also make excellent household pets, especially if you’ve got children in the house. They also do well in smaller living environments, making them a good fit for apartment dwellers. Remember that the Ukranian hairless cat requires more maintenance than a short—or long-haired kitty. Hairless cat breeds can be high maintenance because, unlike longhaired breeds, oil builds up on the skin and can become greasy. As a result, the oil buildup can cause skin problems. You’ll want to learn how to properly care for a Ukranian hairless cat if you’re thinking of bringing one of these kitties home.
When considering a Ukrainian Levkoy cat, it’s advisable to prioritize adopting from rescue organizations or shelters to provide a loving home to a cat in need. However, if you’re looking for Ukrainian Levkoy kittens and decide to purchase one, it’s crucial to choose a reputable breeder. Conduct thorough research to ensure that the breeder follows ethical practices and prioritizes the well-being of their cats. Reputable Ukrainian Levkoy cat breeders prioritize the health and temperament of their cats, conduct necessary health screenings, and provide a nurturing environment for the kitties. This active approach ensures you bring home a healthy and happy kitty while discouraging unethical breeding practices.
Quick Facts
- Origin: Ukraine
- Size: Medium (8-12 pounds)
- Breed Group: Hairless/Semi-hairless (foldable or straight ears)
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Coat: Varies depending on the gene combination: completely hairless, flocked (fine peach fuzz), velour (short, fine hair), brush (sparse, curly hair), or straight (short, fine hair). Ukrainian Levky colors come in a full spectrum and include many patterns.
- Temperament: Intelligent, playful, affectionate, loyal, social, curious, adaptable, can be shy with strangers.
- Exercise Needs: Moderate – they enjoy playtime and mental stimulation.
- Training: Easy to train, can learn tricks, and enjoy interactive games.
- Grooming: Considered high maintenance due to hairless coat. They may need regular bathing and moisturizing.
- Health: Generally healthy but prone to some genetic health conditions
- The Ukrainian Levkoy cat expresses sexual dimorphism, where certain characteristics appear in the sexes that are not related to reproduction (for example, coloring in males versus females).
- This cat is often described as “dog-like” due to their head shape and fold of the ears.
- Ukrainian Levkoy cats get their names from the Levkoy plant, which has folded leaves.
Ukrainian Levkoy Pictures
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Affectionate with Family
Some cat breeds are typically independent and aloof, even if they’ve been raised by the same person since kittenhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn’t the only factor that goes into affection levels; cats who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.
See Cats Less Affectionate with Family -
Amount of Shedding
If you’re going to share your home with a cat, you’ll need to deal with some level of cat hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary among the breeds. If you’re a neatnik, you’ll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. This furniture cover can make it easier to clean up cat hair and keep it off your sofa!
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General Health
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems. This doesn’t mean that every cat of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they’re at an increased risk. If you’re looking only for purebred cats or kittens, it’s a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you’re interested in.
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Potential for Playfulness
Some cats are perpetual kittens—full of energy and mischief—while others are more serious and sedate. Although a playful kitten sounds endearing, consider how many games of chase the mouse-toy you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other animals who can stand in as playmates. A classic wand cat toy like this one is perfect for playful felines!
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Tendency to Vocalize
Some breeds sound off more often than others with meows, yowls, and chattering. When choosing a breed, think about how the cat vocalizes and how often. If constant “conversation” drives you crazy, consider a kitty less likely to chat.
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Kid-Friendly
Being tolerant of children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a nonchalant attitude toward running, screaming youngsters are all traits that make a kid-friendly cat. Our ratings are generalizations, and they’re not a guarantee of how any breed or individual cat will behave; cats from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences and personality.
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Friendly Toward Strangers
Stranger-friendly cats will greet guests with a curious glance or a playful approach; others are shy or indifferent, perhaps even hiding under furniture or skedaddling to another room. However, no matter what the breed, a cat who was exposed to lots of different types, ages, sizes, and shapes of people as a kitten will respond better to strangers as an adult.
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Easy to Groom
Some breeds require very little in the way of grooming; others require regular brushing to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a cat who needs daily brushing. You should definitely pick up this awesome de-shedding tool for cats of any hair length!
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Intelligence
Some cat breeds are reputed to be smarter than others. But all cats, if deprived the mental stimulation they need, will make their own busy work. Interactive cat toys are a good way to give a cat a brain workout and keep them out of mischief. This scratcher cat toy can keep your smart kitty busy even when you’re not home!
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Pet Friendly
Friendliness toward other household animals and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some cats are more likely than others to be accepting of other pets in the home.
Ukrainian Levkoy Cat History
The history of the Ukrainian Levkoy dates back to 2004 when a Russian breeder named Elena Vsevolodovna Birjukova tried breeding the Donskoy cat with the Scottish Fold. The result was the Ukrainian Levkoy, which possesses the hairless nature of the former parent breed and the distinctive folded over ears of the latter.
The name Ukrainian Levkoy was chosen due to the way the mixed breed’s ears seem like they are bent over, just like the leaves of the Levkoy plant. These days, you may find Ukrainian Levkoys in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. So make sure to consider adoption if you decide that this is the mixed breed for you!
Ukrainian Levkoy Cat Size
The Ukrainian Levkoy is a medium cat. As is always the case, exact size standards might vary.
Most Ukrainian Levkoys weigh between eight and twelve pounds, with the females often being noticeably smaller than the males.
Ukrainian Levkoy Cat Personality
You’ll immediately notice that the Ukrainian Levkoy is super inquisitive and highly curious. They love to explore every nook and cranny of their immediate environment. It’s important that you can provide enough variety in their world, which might include moving around cat trees or scratching posts, and you’ll also want to invest in some smart interactive toys to keep them intellectually interested.
The Ukrainian Levkoy has a strong play instinct, which is great news if you have children or other pets, as this is a social feline who will benefit from the company. That being said, these cats don’t fare well if left alone for too long, so make sure your household isn’t empty for the majority of the day.
Ukrainian Levkoy Cat Health
Ukrainian Levkoys are generally considered to be healthy cats, although they can be predisposed to the same conditions that the Donskoy and Scottish Fold breeds face. As always, scheduling regular wellness visits with your cat’s vet is important. There aren’t any breed-specific health problems associated with the Ukrainian Levkoy, but always keep an eye out for signs that your cat might be in distress or pain.
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Skin Care: Due to their lack of fur, Ukrainian Levkoys may be more sensitive to temperature changes, sunlight, and other environmental factors. They may require protection from extreme weather conditions, such as cold temperatures or excessive sun exposure. Regular moisturizing may also be recommended to maintain the health of their skin.
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Sun Protection: Hairless breeds, including Ukrainian Levkoys, can be more susceptible to sunburn. Providing a shaded environment and, in some cases, using pet-safe sunscreen can help protect their skin when outdoors.
Ukrainian Levkoy Cat Care
As with all cats, it’s important to keep up your Ukrainian Levkoy’s regular veterinary checkups to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your cat healthy.
Beyond scheduling yearly wellness visits with your vet, make sure that you pick up a scratching post for your Ukrainian Levkoy cat’s living environment. This can help promote healthy scratching and keep the cat’s nails in good condition, which is very important for such an inquisitive mixed breed of cat. The Ukrainian Levkoy cat’s ears should be examined regularly for signs of dirt building up or possible infection. Talk to your vet about starting a regular teeth brushing regimen that will suit your Ukrainian Levkoy. Your vet can advise you about specific brands and techniques.
Finally, the Ukrainian Levkoy is definitely a mixed breed that will appreciate a cat tree to play and interact with. This can keep the kitty stimulated and will work towards preventing behavior issues from arising.
Ukrainian Levkoy Cat Coat Color And Grooming
The Ukrainian Levkoy is an almost totally hairless cat who’s often said to look like a cute alien creature. When it comes to grooming, hairless cats like the Ukrainian Levkoy require a little extra time and attention.
First of all, you’ll need to make sure you’re feeding your cat a high protein diet so they stay in shape and can regulate their proper body temperature. You’ll also want to talk to your vet about feline-friendly sunscreens.
Finally, the Ukrainian Levkoy needs bathing at least once a month to regulate the oils that naturally occur on their skin. In terms of climate, most Ukrainian Levkoys need to be kept warm. You might even want to consider purchasing some cat sweaters to make sure your mixed breed cat doesn’t get too cold.
Children And Other Pets
The Ukrainian Levkoy is a wonderful fit for families with young kids. Just make sure that early socialization takes place and boundaries are properly set on both sides. Always supervise playtime between young children and cats.
When it comes to other household pets, the good-natured and outgoing Ukrainian Levkoy usually fares well with most other domestic animals. But always make sure to supervise early interactions between the new cat and existing pets. Sometimes these relationships are very much dependent on the individual pets’ personalities.
Ultimately, early socialization really pays off with this mixed breed. Make sure to reward your Ukrainian Levkoy for good behavior when you bring them home to your family!
Ukrainian Levkoy Cat Rescue Groups
It may be hard to find a breed-specific rescue for Ukrainian Levkoy cats because they are a mixed breed. However, you may want to try breed-specific rescues that care for Donskoy or Scottish Fold cats, as they sometimes care for breed mixes, too. You may also try shelters and rescues that cater to all types of cats, including Ukrainian Levkoys and your local shelter. Here are some nonprofit rescues you can try:
More Info For You
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