Cheeto is an orange tabby cat associated with the Physics Building at the University of California, Davis. He has lived on the Davis campus since at least the early 2010s and is widely recognized by students and staff as a beloved campus animal. CheetoâÂÂs popularity has been noted by UC Davis publications and local media. In 2019, he gained national attention for postings concerning his weight gain and overfeeding by the public.
Cheeto is frequently referenced in UC Davis communications and student media. The UC Davis Admissions blog identifies him as a campus âÂÂfixtureâ and notes that he began appearing around 2011. Student newspaper The California Aggie has repeatedly recognized Cheeto in its âÂÂBest of Davis/Best Campus Animalâ lists, including in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
UC Davis Magazine reported on âÂÂAnimals on Campusâ in 2019, highlighting CheetoâÂÂs role as a campus fixture outside the Physics Building. The article described efforts by community caretakers and department staff to manage his health and explained that signs were posted asking people not to feed him due to weight concerns. Similar notices drew broader attention in local media. In 2019, The Sacramento Bee covered the physics departmentâÂÂs âÂÂPlease donâÂÂt feedâ sign regarding CheetoâÂÂs weight.
In 2023, after Cheeto and his weight had again gone viral on the social media platform TikTok, Newsweek reported that CheetoâÂÂs weight issues had improved since the university posted the signs in 2019. A UC Davis spokesperson and described Cheeto as âÂÂa particular favorite with students.âÂÂ
Cheeto also appeared on the 2022 Thank Goodness For Staff logo produced by UC Davis Staff Assembly.
Cheeto is currently listed as a faculty member on the UC Davis Physics building directory located in the lobby and he has a satirical rate my professor page with a perfect rating.