Woman who rescued feline social media star Tater Tot reveals tiny kitten has died – just days after images of his mismatched casts and messy hair made him an internet sensation

The internet is heartbroken after the death of viral kitten Tater Tot, who captivated the world with images of his legs in splints.

Tater Tot mesmerized social media users around the world with his tousled hair and mismatched casts on his front legs – which his foster mom called his “bodankabonks.”

He was found by Ash Houghton’s border collie outside her home in Utah when he was just over a day old.

But the 34-year-old has since announced the sad news that the kitten had ‘suddenly’ died after contracting an illness.

Yesterday, Ash took to Instagram, where Tater Tot had more than 22,400 followers, to share the tragic update.

“Today our tiny little spud passed away suddenly in my hands,” wrote Ash, who runs the rescue organization Kitty Crusaid.

“His energy has been slowly waning over the past week, and with how sudden his passing was today, I really think he had an enlarged heart and it couldn’t keep up with him.

“One minute he was walking around and the next he was gone.

“This little potato has made such a deep impression on my heart and I am so incredibly happy to have been able to share it with the whole world.

“What started when I shared some pictures of the crazy new shelter I turned into turned into an entire community focused on kindness, humor, and compassion.

“I’m amazed at the reach of Tater Tot’s story, and I can’t tell you how incredible it’s been to see how he impacted the world.”

The ginger kitten had to spend weeks with his tiny paws in mismatched leg casts — known as bodankanks — because of the way he walked with them.

And his death has left fans heartbroken as one wrote: ‘Not me and my husband are both crying here…

“Thanks for sharing Tater Tot with us. Our hearts go out to you and all others who feel his loss.”

Another added, “NOOOOOO DON’T TATER UNTIL PLEASE TAKE ME INSTEAD.”

And a third said, ‘No, I’m so upset. Poor little potato. He made such a big impression in such a short time on this earth.’

Ash shared Tater Tot’s story on Instagram (@ourfosterbabes) after taking him in for the first time.

“We saw that all four of his legs were deformed,” she previously said WKRG. “His front legs were stuck in a 90-degree turn and his back legs were all curled.”

He was also born with a cleft palate and had to be tube fed.

Tater Tot’s story drew thousands of cat lovers around the world who created fan art and donated to his rescue organization, Kitty CrusAIDE.

The animal lover previously said: ‘The reactions online are overwhelmingly positive! He seems to be a small source of inspiration for many.

“People have shared their struggles and expressed how much Tater Tot has helped them through the difficult times they are currently facing.

“We’ve had so many incredibly talented artists draw him and many have donated their artwork to be used in Tater Tot merchandise, and all profits from this merchandise go directly to the rescue.

“I could tell the madmen were driving him crazy, but he was still a sweet, feisty little man through the whole process.”