Woman Gets Ordinary-Looking Kitten—Then Something Begins To Change

Newsweek

a day ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
When a woman brought home her kitten Feta, she had no idea her cat's fur would transform so dramatically.
Now 3 years old, the once-straight-haired kitten has blossomed into a white ball of curls, delighting internet viewers. Sarah Abdallah (@feta4president), from Los Angeles, shared footage of Feta cuddling up to her arm, showing off her thick, curly fur. The video quickly went viral, earning over 382,000 likes and more than 2 million views.
"Her fur actually started out mostly straight when she was a kitten, but as she grew into adulthood, it developed into the beautiful curls she has now. People always ask if she's been permed, but nope—those curls are all natural," Abdallah told Newsweek.
A split image of Feta the cat curling up in her owner's arms.
A split image of Feta the cat curling up in her owner's arms.
@feta4president/@feta4president
Feta is a Lambkin cat, a cross between a Munchkin and a Selkirk Rex. Known for their distinctive appearance and sweet disposition, Lambkins are a rare breed. Abdallah described her pet as having an "incredibly gentle and sweet temperament. She's serene and very loving—just a total cuddle bug."
In addition to her curly coat, Feta has heterochromia—one eye is blue, and the other green. She is also deaf, a condition commonly found in white cats, especially those with blue eyes.
International Cat Care says that inherited deafness in white cats is often linked to the presence of the dominant white gene, which can cause degeneration of the inner ear's structures during kittenhood.
Curly-haired cats such as Feta aren't common. Breeds such as the Selkirk Rex, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex are known for their wavy or curly coats, caused by different gene mutations.
Basepaws says that the Selkirk Rex's curls are due to a dominant mutation, and their coat is plush, resembling a teddy bear's fur. These curls may change as the cat matures—exactly as seen in Feta's case.
TikTok users were stunned by the unique feline.
"The Devon Rex cat is the curly hair cat! They are hypo allergenic!" one person commented.
"Feta is a perfect name," posted another.
"While I am repulsed by actual feta cheese, this is the best and cutest feta I've ever seen and I deeply need to know how you pronounce the name (fet-uh or fey-tah)," wrote Honor. Abdallah clarified: "Fet-uh!!!!"
Others were simply in awe: "She's giving 90's crimped hair baddie," one user commented.
"HOW DO I NOT KNOW ABOUT CURLY HAIRED CATS?! i need one immediately," wrote Jessica.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [e-mail] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.