Internet Famous
Atchoum
2014–present
The wild-haired Persian from Quebec whose rare 'werewolf syndrome' gave him a permanent case of dramatic bedhead and millions of online fans.
- Owner
- Nathalie Côté
- Years
- 2014–present
- Known for
- Internet Famous
Atchoum is a golden Persian cat from Quebec, Canada, whose extraordinary appearance made him an internet sensation. His fur grows relentlessly in every direction, standing out from his face in a wild, windswept halo that has earned him affectionate comparisons to a tiny werewolf and a permanent look of startled bedhead.
Behind the striking looks is a genuine medical condition. Atchoum has hypertrichosis — an extremely rare disorder, sometimes called 'werewolf syndrome', that causes continuous, excessive hair growth and thickened claws. His owner, groomer Nathalie Côté, took him in as a kitten and manages his condition with careful, regular grooming, trimming the hair that would otherwise creep toward his eyes to keep him comfortable and healthy.
After being featured in Canadian media, Atchoum's shaggy charm carried him around the world, drawing millions of views and a devoted following across social media. Far from a novelty, his story has helped raise gentle awareness of unusual feline conditions, while proving that a cat who looks a little different can win hearts on a truly global scale.