This Persian Cat Has 'Werewolf Syndrome' And It's 100 Times Cuter Than It Sounds

We've all heard of shaggy dogs, but shaggy cats? Atchoum is a Persian cat in Quebec who has hypertrichosis, also known as werewolf syndrome, and the internet can't get enough of this adorable little fuzzball. In a TikTok video that's been viewed more than 18.2 million times, Atchoum's cute bedhead and 1,000-yard stare give strong Monday-morning vibes. "When Atchoum wakes up from a nap, I always feel like he's either installing an update...or seriously considering going back to sleep," Atchoum's owner wrote on the video. "Cat looks like he's been to war," one viewer commented. Another added, "I've never seen a cat need a coffee before."

@atchoumthecat

When Atchoum wakes up from a nap, I always feel like he's either installing an update... or seriously considering going back to sleep 😹 ******* Quand Atchoum se réveille d'une sieste, j'ai toujours l'impression qu'il est en train de faire une mise à jour... ou qu'il réfléchit sérieusement à se rendormir 😹

♬ Stupid thief's stealthy steps [Comedy-style drama accompaniment] (991302) – SoLaTiDo

Viewers offered various suggestions about the creatures that Atchoum reminded them of: the Grinch and the Lorax from Dr. Seuss, an Ewok, a Muppet, the Muskrat from the Moomins, Edward Scissorhands, an owl, a sheepdog, and a gremlin. One viewer cautioned, "Don't feed him after midnight, and don't put water on him," cheekily referencing two of the three rules for caring for a Mogwai in the movie "Gremlins." Some viewers likened the disheveled cat to real people known for their shaggy hair: theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, actor Wilford Brimley, singer Rod Stewart, and Cure lead singer Robert Smith.

In humans, hypertrichosis causes excessive hair growth. It can be specific to one area of the body (localized) or be everywhere (generalized), and it can be either present from birth or acquired later in life. Hypertrichosis can occur in either males or females, unlike hirsutism, which is when a female grows dark, coarse hair in a male-like pattern, such as on the upper lip or back.

In cats, hypertrichosis is extremely rare. Atchoum's website describes the condition like this: "It's less scary than it sounds. It means I have a hormonal condition that causes fast and continual hair growth and the thickening of my claws." Luckily, Atchoum's owner is a pet groomer, and she isn't daunted by the never-ending task of brushing and trimming Atchoum's fur. According to his website, "It's a good thing my mom is a groomer, because my crazy long hairs on my face are thick like a dog. She doesn't over groom me, since she likes my mad scientist look!" 

Other people clearly like his appearance, too. "I have never seen a more beautiful cat in all my life," one wrote on the TikTok video. Another commented, "I'm 100% a dog person, but I could get on board with this cat." Want to see more delightfully fuzzy felines? Check out these little fluffs who became majestic floofs, and these cats who are fluffier than you ever thought possible.