It’s not every day a cat goes viral for its unique looks, but Rook, a recently adopted stray cat with strikingly huge cheeks, has done just that. His owner’s Reddit post skyrocketed in popularity, earning more than 41K upvotes from adoring fans.
Owner shares photo of adopted stray cat Rook with ‘huge cheeks’
Rook, an orange-and-white tabby, was recently adopted by a Reddit user known as u/Cool_McStellar. The new owner posted two heartwarming images of Rook lounging comfortably on a couch against a windowsill. The main attraction, of course, is Rook’s remarkably large cheeks, which the owner describes as “two golfballs of mass” mostly composed of fat.
According to his owner, Rook has been neutered and is estimated to be around five years old. Initially, he spent a few days hiding before settling into his new home, which he now rules comfortably. They explained in the comments section that Rook’s large cheeks are attributed to testosterone. This is a common trait in unneutered male cats, often referred to as “jowls.” With Rook now neutered, his cheeks are expected to shrink gradually.
The Reddit community warmly welcomed Rook, with numerous users leaving kind comments for his owner. Many expressed admiration for Rook’s appearance, with comments like “I love him. Please give him a pat from me,” and “Chubby tomcat cheeks are the best!” The general consensus is clear — Rook’s cheeks are charming and make him stand out in the best possible way.
Other users shared similar experiences with their own pets, noting how neutering often led to a change in their cats’ appearance. “My neighbor adopted a stray tomcat as well. His cheeks were big too, but they got smaller after he was fixed,” one commenter wrote. Some were simply captivated by Rook’s cuteness, adding, “Awww, he’s such a cutie!”
