Owner Pays $100 to Investigate Cat's Mystery Lump, Unprepared for Diagnosis

A self-professed "anxious cat mom" has shared how she got an unusual diagnosis from the vet after taking her cat for a checkup.

Gigi lives in Amsterdam with her 4-year-old cat, Ponyo. She took her to the vet after discovering what she thought was a concerning lump on her stomach. But the vet's response wasn't what she expected.

"I took her to the vet because I found a lump on her belly that I hadn't noticed before, and when it didn't disappear within a couple of weeks, I called the vet and they said to come in to get it checked," Gigi told Newsweek.

After Ponyo was examined, the vet gave the diagnosis—the lump was just the cat's belly button.

"I didn't even realize cats had belly buttons," Gigi said, laughing. She added that the consultation with the vet had cost her 120 euros ($130).

Cats do indeed have belly buttons. They appear as small, flat scars that can be difficult to see or feel. Located just below the bottom of the ribs, they are typically only a few millimeters wide and can be completely covered with fur—especially in long-haired cats like Ponyo.

Despite the initial worry and the cost, Gigi was relieved "because it meant she wasn't sick."

Gigi took to TikTok to recount her experience, where she often documents her pets' antics. Her video, which quickly garnered attention, was captioned "Last week I took my cat to the vet because I found a lump on her stomach that didn't go away. I paid €120 on the consultation for them to tell me it was her belly button."

The caption alongside the video simply said: "And that's on me for being an anxious cat mom."

In the comments on the clip, fellow pet owners shared reactions and similar experiences.

"Hey, at least the cat is ok," said one.

Another recalled a similar situation and wrote: "Been there, my water turtle stopped eating and I paid €100 to hear that 'she's fat' and 'just too full to eat more.'"

"I always share funny things about my pets on TikTok, especially my cat, who has weird little tendencies," Gigi said.

She is pleased that people have responded to her video. "I always enjoy the reaction online because it makes people smile."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.