Dwarf Cat With Only 2 Teeth Can't Stop Tongue Hanging Out—And It's Adorable
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Internet users can't get enough of an adorable cat whose tongue is perpetually hanging out of his mouth due to having so many of his teeth removed.
Otis the 8-month-old cat has captured hearts online with his adorable expressions and his tongue sticking out that makes him look like a real-life emoji. While still only young, he's had to have almost all his teeth removed, leaving him with just two canines left—and they'll have to be removed in the future too.
As a result, Otis's tongue no longer stays within his mouth, and his owner Kate, from London, U.K., tells Newsweek that she's "not sure if it ever will" again.
From a young age, Otis was diagnosed with dwarfism and feline calicivirus (FCV), a highly contagious virus that can cause upper respiratory infections and oral disease. This virus caused Otis to develop stomatitis, which is severe inflammation of the mouth and gum tissue around the teeth.
Otis the 8-month-old cat, with dwarfism, showing his tongue sticking out.
Otis the 8-month-old cat, with dwarfism, showing his tongue sticking out.
@otisthedwarfcat / TikTok
Kate, 20, explained that Otis's gums "began growing over his teeth," alongside a lot of bleeding and intense pain. It was so difficult for Otis to eat anything, and the only option was tooth extraction.
"Otis had to have almost all his teeth removed, except for two of his canines. Despite everything, he's recovering and adapting really well since his dental procedures," Kate said.
While his appearance may be different, Otis has become quite the viral sensation on TikTok. Kate has been sharing videos of her sweet kitten on his dedicated social media account (@otisthedwarfcat), and one clip of her "poor little baby" has generated over 1.5 million views and 323,700 likes at the time of writing.
The online reaction is beyond anything Kate expected, but she's been so heartened by all the love and support shown towards her little warrior.
She told Newsweek: "I thought he looked adorable in the video, but it was also heartbreaking to see him like that. He's so young and it felt so unfair for him to go through so much.
"I'm really touched by how many people are loving the video of him. It makes me happy not only to share his journey, but also to raise awareness about calicivirus and how seriously it can affect cats."
In the months ahead, Otis will need one final dental procedure to remove his remaining teeth. But he's remained strong throughout every challenge he's faced so far, and Kate says she's immensely proud of him.
After the video went viral showing Otis with his tongue perpetually hanging out, hundreds of social media users took to the comments to praise his quirky expression. This has led to more than 760 comments on TikTok so far, with many even suggesting which emoji he resembles the most.
One comment reads: "that's so sad, but that's the cutest thing I've ever seen."
Another TikTok user wrote: "He looks like he's constantly emoting lol."
Another person added: "I hope he knows how cute he is."
While one commenter joked: "he's just permanently silly now."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Mom Gives Birth to Healthy Baby Boy, Then One Test Changes Their Lives
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. A woman who had a healthy pregnancy and smooth labor was shocked to discover that something was wrong after giving birth to her baby boy, Brooks. Brooks failed the initial hearing screening the first time shortly after birth. It was then re-done, and he failed two more times. He was invited back for a fourth time, and again, he failed. His mom, Morgan Deakin, 23, initially thought it was due to mucus being in his ears - a common issue for newborns. But, at just three weeks old, Deakin and her partner Leon, 25, were told their baby is completely deaf. "It changed our lives entirely, and shaped the way we see life," the Scotland-based mom told Newsweek. "At first, it was overwhelming — there were so many emotions, from shock and grief to worry about what his future might look like." Deakin holding her son, Brookes. A close up of the now-17-weeks old baby. Deakin holding her son, Brookes. A close up of the now-17-weeks old baby. TikTok/@morgandeakinx According to the Scottish Government, around 1.1 babies per 1,000 births are born with permanent bilateral deafness. In comparison, the CDC states that about 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears. Deakin regularly goes viral on TikTok, sharing her son's story (@morgandeakinx). In one clip detailing the diagnosis, she explained that they cried for days, then on the third day, their mindset adjusted. "It sunk in that crying isn't going to do anything. We've been in a great mindset since then," she said. She told Newsweek: "It's not the journey we imagined, but it's one we're embracing — and Brooks is showing us every day just how strong, resilient, and full of potential he is. "We also have changed as individuals, I would say. We are kinder in our hearts and see the world in a different light — a beautiful, kind, caring, and diverse little world which we were slightly ignorant to before. It has shaped us into better parents." Deakin feeding Brooks after his hearing aid fitting. A close up of the ten-week-old baby with the device in his ear. Deakin feeding Brooks after his hearing aid fitting. A close up of the ten-week-old baby with the device in his ear. TikTok/@morgandeakinx At ten weeks old, Brooks received hearing aids for the first time, which has left the internet in tears. She told Newsweek: "The hearing aids haven't helped at all at the moment; their purpose is to stimulate the auditory nerves to keep the auditory pathways open. "Although Brooks has not been able to be exposed to sound just yet, it is allowing him to get used to wearing them. Hopefully, further down the line, he can get cochlear implants and wear these as he's used to them." So far, the video has over 76,000 views and more than 5,300 likes. "Awww little angel. makes you realize the things we take for granted," said one commenter. Another wrote: "I am almost fully deaf but I can speak & communicate so well due to learning to lip read. He will pick up SO much by just watching you. You're amazing parents to your lovely boy." Morgan told Newsweek: "We've quickly found ourselves thrown into a whole new world of audiology appointments, learning about communication options like BSL and auditory verbal therapy, and figuring out how to advocate for him. But as time has gone on, it's also opened a different perspective. "We've met incredible professionals and other families, started learning more about deaf culture, and realized how many ways there are for Brooks to thrive and communicate."
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows Which States Are Facing Air Quality Issues From Wildfires
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. Smoke from Canadian wildfires have continued to drift over the Midwest, blanketing the region with haze and poor air quality, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) and local departments to issue alerts across several states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Newsweek has reached out to the NWS for comment via email on Saturday morning. Why It Matters The increased concentration of airborne fine particulate matter—PM2.5—from wildfires can worsen respiratory and heart conditions, making sensitive groups particularly vulnerable, especially for people with asthma, heart disease or other preexisting respiratory conditions. Air quality alerts have been in place for a couple days, with individual NWS offices previously reporting unhealthy conditions. Earlier this week, wildfire smoke from Canada was so thick over Chicago that the city recorded the worst air quality in the world, according to AccuWeather. Canadian wildfires have scorching millions of acres this summer. What To Know The NWS has issued a slew of air quality alerts in the northern Midwest region due to the wildfire smoke, warning that "members of sensitive groups may experience health effects." In Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources issued air quality advisories for the entire state, warning that "PM2.5 AQI [air quality index] is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy level." It specifically warned people with asthma to "keep quick-relief medicine handy" and those with heart disease that "symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem." A city view of Toronto on July 14. A city view of Toronto on July 14. Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP In Michigan, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said that "high pressure settling overhead will limit dispersion and keep smoke at the surface through today." Air quality alerts are in effect across parts of nine states—including Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas—due to the Canadian wildfires. Separately, an alert has been issued in Texas, where atmospheric conditions in the Dallas–Fort Worth area are conducive to "producing high levels of ozone pollution." Across states, the NWS warned that when pollution levels are elevated people should "consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician." In addition to limiting outdoor physical activity, NWS urges people and businesses to "avoid activities which lead to ozone formation," listing out activities like refueling vehicles or using gasoline powered lawn equipment. What People Are Saying Matt Taraldsen, a meteorologist at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, told The New York Times earlier this week: "This is the first time that we've had a weeklong worth of alerts across the entire state. Especially at levels that weren't just unhealthy for sensitive groups, at levels that are unhealthy for everyone." AccuWeather wrote in a Friday X post: "Wildfire smoke from Canada smothered Chicago yesterday, giving the city the worst air quality in the world for several hours and blanketing the skyline in haze." Wildfire smoke from Canada smothered Chicago yesterday, giving the city the worst air quality in the world for several hours and blanketing the skyline in haze. — AccuWeather (@accuweather) August 1, 2025 United Nations Environment Programme wrote in a July 25 X post: "99% of the global population breathes unclean air, leading to life-threatening health concerns for millions. To address this, stronger air quality regulations are critical." Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Chicago-based Respiratory Health Association, told WBEZ Chicago earlier this week: "The air quality is officially dangerous in Chicago. It's going to send people to the emergency room. Some people may die because of what they're breathing." What Happens Next? The smoke is expected to continue to impact the region throughout the weekend, with some alerts until Saturday afternoon and others until Monday.
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tears as Depressed Dog Finally Reunites With Her Sick Puppy in Hospital
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. The incredible moment a dog was reunited with her sick puppy in hospital after four days apart has left internet users fighting back tears. Jenna, the 4-year-old Shiloh shepherd, welcomed a litter of six puppies in late June when they arrived a week early. Sadly, only one pup, named Eros, survived. It was a devastating time for Jenna, for Mojo the dad, and of course for their owner, Heather. The problems continued when Eros was around a week old and Heather noticed that she was aspirating, meaning inhaled material like food, vomit, or regurgitation, was going into her lungs. While Heather breeds the dogs for show and service purposes, she told Newsweek that they "are family" and she would do whatever it took to help Eros. She tried to prevent pneumonia, but the antibiotics weren't successful and Eros had to be hospitalized at barely a few weeks old. Jenna the Shiloh Shepherd seeing Eros in the veterinary hospital and giving her kisses. Jenna the Shiloh Shepherd seeing Eros in the veterinary hospital and giving her kisses. @kittytheshiloh / TikTok "She was in an oxygen tent with IV fluids and tube feeding, as well as powerful antibiotics," Heather said. "Jenna was anxious at first, searching relentlessly day and night, only consoled by her puppy's scent on stuffed animals. As time went on, she began to give up hope and became increasingly depressed." Eros was in hospital for six days, but Jenna was finally allowed to visit after four days. That morning, Heather kept telling Jenna that they were going to "see the baby," and the dog seemed to perk up. Heather firmly believes that Jenna understood what she was telling her. When they finally arrived at the veterinary hospital and Eros was carried into the room, Jenna could hardly believe her eyes. "It took almost a full second before she rushed forward and began covering the puppy in kisses. I bawled. It was a dream come true seeing them together again," Heather said. Heather shared the adorable footage of Jenna reuniting with Eros on her TikTok account (@kittytheshiloh) and it melted hearts. In just a matter of days, the clip has generated over 740,700 views and more than 60,600 likes at the time of writing. Eros had to stay in hospital for a few extra days, and it was only after seeing her try to nurse from Jenna that attention turned towards swallowing disorders. Shortly after, Eros was diagnosed with cricopharyngeal achasia, a condition whereby the cricopharyngeus muscle (which controls food passing from the pharynx to the esophagus) fails to relax when swallowing. It can cause blockages or restrict food when swallowing. Some vets recommended euthanasia because they couldn't help Eros, but a pharyngeal dysphasia specialist at a university hospital "saved the day" and gave them optimism. "Once we knew there was hope, there was no stopping us from saving her," Heather told Newsweek. Once she was strong enough, Eros had an esophageal feeding tube fitted. She is now fed from that four times a day, around the clock. Heather also changes her dressing twice a day, as well as administering antibiotics and pain medication. Eros must be supervised constantly and can't have anything through her mouth, but she is doing great, nonetheless. Since sharing Eros's story online, Heather has been blown away by the overwhelmingly supportive response. So many people are rooting for Eros and following her journey as she shows how much fight she has within her. "Shilohs are a uniquely gentle breed, and famously easy to train, but training her without food will be a struggle," Heather said. "I'm her service human now. She needs someone who will wake up to a change of breathing patterns and watch every bite of food and sip of water she ever takes (once she can have those). "Shilohs are heavily health tested, but this condition cannot be predicted since it isn't genetic. Thankfully, it's exceedingly rare, especially in puppies." Since going viral, the video of Jenna reuniting with her only surviving pup has gained over 800 comments on TikTok so far. Many social media users praised her maternal instincts and hailed the unshakeable bond between them. One comment reads: "Oh please keep them together forever. I love them. Thank you for taking good care!" Another TikTok user wrote: "this made me cry, I hope they have a lifetime together." While another person replied: "I'm so happy she got to see and snuggle her sweet baby." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
