A Thai woman unexpectedly transformed her snow-white cat into “Pikachu” after treating a fungal infection with turmeric. The story instantly went viral, but it’s strongly recommended not to try this experiment without a doctor’s recommendation.

Cat lover Thammapa Supamas said she was deeply worried about ringworm in her cat, Ka-Pwong. Since conventional treatments weren’t working, she shared the problem with her mother, who suggested trying turmeric, a popular Indian spice often used in folk medicine.

“We tried a lot, but the condition didn’t improve. Then my mother decided to apply turmeric directly to the affected area. “However, because the fungus was so active, she ended up treating her entire fur to prevent further spread,” Supamas told Bored Panda.

But as soon as the yellow spice landed on the cat’s white fur, it immediately turned a bright lemon color. The problem was compounded by the fact that it was nearly impossible to wash off the turmeric—Ka-Pwong literally turned completely golden. She resembled the character Pikachu from the famous animated series Pokémon. Despite her unusual appearance, the cat felt fine: she ate normally, was active, and apparently didn’t notice her “transformation.”

The owner assures that the treatment was effective: the itching subsided, and the cat stopped licking the affected area constantly. However, she emphasizes that this method should not be used without a veterinarian’s advice. Supamas hopes that, in a couple of months, the color will gradually return to its former state as the fur renews and grows back. The woman posted photos of the “yellow incident” on social media, and they quickly went viral, garnering thousands of reactions. Users joked that Ka-Pwong had become a dead ringer for Pikachu. Supamas even added a few graphic details to the photos, enhancing the resemblance.