Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Old Was Pot Roast the Cat? The Surprising Answer

Kristin Hitchcock

By Kristin Hitchcock

black and white long hair cat being pampered

Pot Roast the cat was only around 7 or 8 years old when she passed away. That is quite young for a cat. However, we don’t know exactly why Pot Roast passed away. Her owner had taken her to a vet hospital for treatment, where she had a blood transfusion. The signs were linked with low blood sugar, and it is unknown why her blood sugar was low, to begin with.

It appears that Pot Roast died of FIV, which is a chronic, serious condition for cats. This disease is almost always deadly, though cats can remain in remission for many years. Because Pot Roast was at the vet many times before her death, it’s likely that she was battling this condition for some time.

hepper-cat-paw-divider

How Did Pot Roast the Cat Die?

Sadly, Pot Roast passed away from FIV. Her owner announced her death on TikTok. It appears that her feline passed away at the vet in her owner’s arms after a long battle with FIV.

This condition claims the lives of many cats every year, as there is no cure. Vaccinations can help prevent this condition, but many felines get it when they are strays or still kittens.

What is FIV?

Feline immunodeficiency virus is a viral condition that felines can contract. It’s similar to HIV in humans. However, FIV is only transmittable in cats. Humans cannot catch it. For the most part, it’s transmitted by felines fighting or through sexual contact. Feral cats are most likely to get it, as they’re most likely to engage in these fights and not be vaccinated. Mothers can transmit it to their kittens when they are born or while nursing.

FIV attacks a cat’s immune system, weakening it over time. This weakening makes the cat more susceptible to diseases and infections. Eventually, it’s these other diseases and infections that send the cat to the vet.

Many cats are asymptomatic for years with this condition. Therefore, you can’t always tell when a feline has it. Symptoms often include getting sick more often, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss. This condition is regularly tested for among stray and feral cats before vaccination. Therefore, it is often picked up by this common test.

Currently, there is no cure for this condition. Instead, treatment relies on treating secondary infections and diseases. Managing the condition through the use of medication, regular vet checkups, and a balanced diet is absolutely necessary.

Some cats can live long and happy lives with this condition. However, others may pass within a few years no matter what you do. Most will pass due to this disease at some point—whether it’s when they’re younger or older. It isn’t surprising at all that Pot Roast passed from this condition after being diagnosed with it.

We know that Pot Roast the cat was adopted. Therefore, it’s very likely that she had the condition before being adopted by her owner.

FIV-positive cats may have a shorter lifespan than uninfected cats, so it’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of adoption with a veterinarian or animal rescue organization before adopting an FIV-positive cat.

hepper-cat-paw-divider

Conclusion

Pot Roast was a beloved personality on TikTok. However, she was diagnosed with FIV, which ended up claiming her life when she was only 8 years old. This condition attacks a cat’s immune system, so it isn’t surprising that it led to her death. Most cats diagnosed with it have shorter lifespans than other felines, as they’re less able to withstand the normal viruses and bacteria in their homes.

There is a vaccination available for this condition, and it is recommended that every cat gets it. However, many felines get this condition as strays or kittens, before they’re able to be vaccinated. It’s most common in cats that are adopted, as they often come from an unknown background.


Featured Image Credit: Christine Glade, Shutterstock

Kristin Hitchcock

Authored by

Kristin is passionate about helping pet parents create a fulfilling life with their pets by informing them on the latest scientific research and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one-day!

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database