Every cat is perfectly unique, from their diverse looks to their adorable personalities. And even though many kitties share a similar look, many are distinct and unmistakable. For one old barn cat named Salem, AKA Barn Pie, it’s his massive, round cheeks that help him stand out.
As his name implies, Salem is a beautiful black cat, but he’s also a ‘retired tom cat’ who sports the largest tom cat jowls most of his fans have ever seen. His cheeks are as round and squishy as jumbo-sized marshmallows! He has gone viral multiple times for his impressive jowls, and he created quite a buzz when he did so again on April 7.
I just want to squish those cheeks! Gravity enhanced Salem’s round-faced look as he looked down at his mom @maemorr, but his jowls are impressive no matter what angle you see them from.
Hearing this cat mom talk to her barn cat like a baby is the cherry on top of this adorable video. He may be the alpha tom cat in his neighborhood, but to his mama, he’ll always be just a kitten!
Related: Watching the ‘Baddest Tom Cat Around’ Melt When Kids Pet Him Is Simply Perfect
“Did he eat all the other cats around there?” commenter @ghostie748 joked. Not quite! Unlike squirrels, who stuff nuts and food items in their cheeks, tom cat jowls are all flesh. But why do they form, and what exactly do they mean?
What Do Tom Cat Cheeks Mean?
Viewer @paige3geason hit the nail on the head when she exclaimed, “He’s populated a small clan of cats, probably, OMG.” Unneutered male cats can develop puffy cheeks due to high testosterone levels, which signal to females that they are healthy, fertile males. They can also provide protection during fights and neck-biting, which territorial male cats are known to do.
Salem’s videos usually get several comments suggesting he be neutered, but his mom hasn’t addressed them. There’s a chance he’s already been fixed! As Dr. Rosalind Wright explains, male cats neutered as adults, after jowls have already developed, may or may not gradually lose them after the procedure.
Whether or not he’s fixed, Barn Pie is undoubtedly one handsome barn cat who always makes his mama’s day. His adorable, round cheeks are only one reason to love him!
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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.