Often when you see pets wearing hats or clothes it’s for the benefit of the owner rather than the animal.

However, this cat has to wear a helmet for his own protection, due to a condition that causes him to regularly bump into things.

After his skull failed to fully form as a newborn kitten, Otter was left with part of his brain exposed.

The sweet cat, who faces multiple mobility problems, is residing in Baby Kitten Rescue, an animal centre in Los Angeles, California, while he awaits surgery to cover the hole in his head.

Otter can only be offered the surgery once he has finished growing, and for the first few weeks of his life he wore a tiny plaster on the top of his head to prevent him from hurting himself while playing.

Now, he’s received an upgrade – a tiny black helmet to stop any further damage when he’s bumping into walls and furniture – and social media users love the nifty look.

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Caroline Grace, 32, who runs Baby Kitten Rescue posted pictures and videos of Otter on Instagram, with one of the clips racking up almost a million views and thousands of supportive comments.

‘We have to keep Otter in a soft, padded environment so that he doesn’t fall and hit his head, which could cause brain damage or be fatal since his skull is open,’ Caroline told NeedToKnow.online.

‘We also must keep his meningocele clean and free from bacteria to prevent his brain from getting infected.’

She added: ‘That’s why Otter wears a band-aid, to keep bacteria from getting into his brain. And that’s also why he wears a healer; to protect his brain since his skull is open!’

The kitten – who is missing toes on his front paws – will have to wear his helmet until he’s around a year old, but is well loved and looked after in the meantime.

Otter and his sister Bunny were discovered by a good samaritan in Northern California, who reached out to the rescue. The duo were filthy and riddled with fleas, and had severe diarrhoea and upper respiratory illnesses.

It’s now hoped the siblings won’t need to be separated when they find their forever home.

‘Otter and his sister Bunny are a bonded pair and must be adopted together,’ commented Caroline.

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We can’t imagine they’ll have too much trouble attracting an owner – at least if social media comments are anything to go on.

‘He really is the cutest little cat I’ve ever seen,’ said one user, while another wrote: ‘Not a single brain cell in that cute little head.’

Another commenter added: ‘Love them so much I cry every time.’

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