By admin 
UC Davis is known as an animal-friendly university, from the wild turkeys that roam its quad to the cows which call the campus farmland home. But perhaps no animal is more beloved than Cheeto, an orange cat who lives near the university’s physics department and is the regular subject of doting and petting from students.
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But the popular feline is now recovering away from campus after a health scare which sent him to a veterinary hospital late last week, according to his caretaker Krystal Scruggs.
“He’s a staple at Davis. He’s the best thing about Davis — I’ve heard that more than one time,” Scruggs told The Sacramento Bee.
Cheeto was already scheduled to see a veterinarian as a result of recent weight loss, but his health became more of a concern last week after a veterinary student noticed the cat was having problems urinating, Scruggs said. The news was passed to the UC Davis Veterinary Hospital and then back to Scruggs, who brought him in the next evening after several attempts to find and catch him.
Veterinarians diagnosed Cheeto with feline idiopathic cystitis, which causes a painful inflammation of the bladder. He was treated overnight and taken home early Friday morning.
Cheeto is something of a celebrity among the UC Davis community. An Instagram fan account dedicated to posting photos and memes of him has over 40,000 followers and the school’s student newspaper has repeatedly awarded him the title of “Best Campus Animal.” Scruggs attributed Cheeto’s popularity to his affable nature and said he often serves as a support and therapy animal for students.
“I’ve heard several people say, ‘Cheeto saved my life,’” Scruggs said. “He’s very different with different people. You know, it’s almost like he really knows what people need.”
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Scruggs works in the UC Davis Department of Physics and Astronomy and has taken care of Cheeto for eight years. Alongside another caretaker in the department, Scruggs pays for Cheeto’s care and medical expenses out of pocket.
A GoFundMe started by Scruggs to help pay for Cheeto’s care raised over $16,600 in less than a week. She said they had originally hoped to raise a modest $3,500 but have been overwhelmed by the support and attention given to Cheeto. They’ve paused donations and plan to use some of the money to help care for other feral cats who live on campus.
Scruggs speculated that Cheeto’s health issues were the result of disruptions caused by nearby construction. UC Davis is currently repaving and renovating several walkways and bike paths in the area of campus near the Physics Building.
Cheeto, who is between 15 and 16 years old, had a follow-up appointment on Monday and is recovering well, according to Scruggs. She said she planned to wait until some of the construction dies down and the disruptions to Cheeto’s environment subside before returning him to campus. With classes set to start next week, he’s certain to have a warm welcome back.
“He thrives outside with the students, and his faculty, and staff and friends that come and see him. That’s the environment he really loves,” Scruggs said.
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This story was originally published September 15, 2026 at 6:11 PM.