Viral internet celebrity feline Grumpy Cat has died, according to an Instagram post made by her owners today.

Owners Tabatha and Bryan Bundesen, who hail from Morristown, Arizona, revealed that despite care from great vets, their famous cat Tardar Sauce (aka Grumpy Cat) passed away as a result of complications from a urinary tract infection.

Tabatha and Bryan wrote: "Despite care from to professionals, as well as from her very loving family, Grumpy encountered complications from a urinary tract infection that unfortunately became too tough for her to overcome. She passed away peacefully on the m0rning of Tuesday, May 14th, at home in the arms of her mommy, Tabatha."

They added: "Besides being our baby and a cherished member of the family, Grump Cat has helped millions of people smile all around the world. - even when times were tough. Her spirit will continue to live on in her fans everywhere."

Grumpy cat was a one of a litter of four kittens born to a calico mother and a blue-and-white tabby putative father. She appears permanently grumpy due to being born with a form of feline dwarfism, and a prominent underbite. Although she looked angry in appearance, the Bundesens always insisted "99 per cent of the time she is just a regular cat."

Grumpy Cat first came to prominence after a photograph of her was posted to Reddit by Bryan on September 22, 2012. The picture immediately went viral, inspiring numerous memes and image macros. Soon Grumpy Cat was appearing in news segments and was even featured in advertising campaigns for Friskies and General Mills' Honey Nut Cheerios.

Rest in peace Grumpy Cat: you'll be sorely missed.

Viral internet celebrity feline Grumpy Cat has died, according to an Instagram post made by her owners today.

Owners Tabatha and Bryan Bundesen, who hail from Morristown, Arizona, revealed that despite care from great vets, their famous cat Tardar Sauce (aka Grumpy Cat) passed away as a result of complications from a urinary tract infection.

Tabatha and Bryan wrote: "Despite care from to professionals, as well as from her very loving family, Grumpy encountered complications from a urinary tract infection that unfortunately became too tough for her to overcome. She passed away peacefully on the m0rning of Tuesday, May 14th, at home in the arms of her mommy, Tabatha."

They added: "Besides being our baby and a cherished member of the family, Grump Cat has helped millions of people smile all around the world. - even when times were tough. Her spirit will continue to live on in her fans everywhere."

Grumpy cat was a one of a litter of four kittens born to a calico mother and a blue-and-white tabby putative father. She appears permanently grumpy due to being born with a form of feline dwarfism, and a prominent underbite. Although she looked angry in appearance, the Bundesens always insisted "99 per cent of the time she is just a regular cat."

Grumpy Cat first came to prominence after a photograph of her was posted to Reddit by Bryan on September 22, 2012. The picture immediately went viral, inspiring numerous memes and image macros. Soon Grumpy Cat was appearing in news segments and was even featured in advertising campaigns for Friskies and General Mills' Honey Nut Cheerios.

Rest in peace Grumpy Cat: you'll be sorely missed.