Matilda is no ordinary cat. With dark, glassy eyes as big as flying saucers, the 2-year-old tabby looks more like an adorable extraterrestrial being than a regular feline. The special kitty, who lives with her two humans and their dog, has gained a devoted following for her alien looks, especially on Instagram, where she has over 35,000 fans.
Two years ago, Matilda was born in a hoarder’s home on Valentine’s Day. She was quickly rescued and adopted by her forever family at only 12 weeks old. Back then, Matilda’s eyes appeared completely normal, besides some squinting from time to time. Shortly after her first birthday, however, her right pupil became enlarged. After consulting several vets and the owners of Matilda’s littermates, it was discovered that the cat and her siblings were afflicted by spontaneous lens luxation, a mysterious condition in which the lens detaches from the rest of the eye for no known reason. Eventually, both of Matilda’s lenses detached, resulting in a loss of vision and her uniquely otherworldly appearance.
Despite her eye problems, Matilda behaves like any other cat, and even loves the attention that her unusual eyes gets her. “She also loves tissue paper, cardboard boxes, and her scratching post. She likes to make the dog uncomfortable by walking too close to his face,” her owner told People. “She loves to eat and will cry like the world is ending if her dish isn’t full.”
While Matilda’s family was initially worried that the kitty would have to undergo surgery for glaucoma, they recently announced that Matilda is happily glaucoma-free and healthy right now. Here’s to a bright future ruled by our new feline alien overlord!
1-year-old Matilda with her right pupil enlarged.
Alien Cat Matilda: Website | Instagram | Facebook
via [Neatorama, People]