In Memoriam: Aldi Reviewer Cat (2006-2024)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a beloved member of the Aldi Reviewer family. We knew her as Hildegard — or Hilde (pronounced HILL-dee) for short — but on this site she was known as the Aldi Reviewer Cat.
She was 18 and a half years old.
Early Life
Our website’s co-founders adopted the cat a full decade before Aldi Reviewer first launched. We’d just gotten married, and since Rachael had grown up with cats, we decided to get one of our own. We found a lively tabby at the local Humane Society shelter, which gave the kitten an estimated birthdate of April 8, 2006. We brought her home on July 11, just a few days after she’d turned three months old.
Like most cats, Hildegard developed a character all her own. She loved her owners, and was very affectionate toward us, but was suspicious of strangers. She was patient and tolerant with our children as they grew up but would hiss at most of the guests that visited our home, including Rachael’s parents. One friend with a sense of humor — and a recipient of some of Hilde’s most vicious growls and hisses — gifted us a food bowl befitting the cat’s disposition toward outsiders.
Life in the Spotlight
When we founded Aldi Reviewer in 2016, we didn’t give a lot of thought to how the cat might fit into our plans, but Hilde quickly showed a knack for getting in front of the camera. One of our favorite early memories is her stalking the Easy Home Robotic Duster in 2017.
In time, she found her way into other AR media, including as a model cat for Aldi’s varied products. She hated Aldi dry cat food, loved Aldi canned cat food, and was insatiably curious about Aldi cat toys. She became a real part of our team, and we had a lot of fun including her in our site.
She also sometimes found her way into Aldi packaging.
Behind the scenes, she was a consummate lap cat, wedging herself between us and the keyboard when we were trying to type out our next product review post or feature piece. It wasn’t always easy working around her, but we didn’t mind.
Later Life
By 2022, as she reached her 16th birthday, it was clear that her health was in slow decline. She still moved well enough, but she’d started to develop some of the small problems typical of older cats, including drinking a lot more water. In early 2024, her health declined more precipitously, and while she lived to see her 18th birthday, we weren’t certain she’d last long after that.
Despite the best efforts of her owners and her vet, by late August she’d reached the point where she stopped eating, and by Labor Day she was able to communicate, in her own way, that it was finally time. She passed away peacefully on September 3, 2024, getting a long hug from every family member before she left.
We miss her already.
I’m so sorry, Hilde was a beautiful girl!
This is so sad. Thank you for sharing and I hope you’ll adopt another kitty when you’re ready. They are such fun and loving companions.
So sorry for the loss of your Kitty!!
Gentle journeys sweet Hilde. I’m so very sorry for your heartbreaking loss. There is just never enough time…
Having lost a few beloved cat companions myself, I know how heartbreaking this can be. I’m so sorry.
Joshua,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Just experienced a loss myself yesterday 9/4. Hilde is across the Rainbow Bridge with friend’s & loved one’s. Sending you & Rachel and your family prayer’s of healing. Cherish the memories in your heart until you all meet again.
Aw, we are sorry to hear about your own loss. Sending comforting vibes.
I’m so sorry about your beautiful fur baby. She reminds me of my cat who lived to be 19. After she passed, I said no more cats, but of course another one eventually snuck into our lives and has brought us a lot of joy! I hope when your hearts heal, you will welcome another kitty into your life. Only you will know when that time is right ❤️
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful friend. Our condolences…
I am so so sorry for your loss! It’s evident that y’all have many happy memories of her and will continue to have her in your hearts fur-ever!!
I’m so sorry for your loss, I can clearly see you gave her a wonderful life!!!🥰
So very sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful cat. Hilde had a great life with you.
Thanks for sharing. A well-loved cat💕
My condolences – I’m sorry you lost such a wonderful little member of your family!
So sorry you lost your furbaby. They are family and seriously grieved and missed. Hopefully you’ll honor her memory by adopting another kitty when you’re ready.
I loved this. We lost our15 year old cat last year.., really 21 as she was adopted. Am now fostering baby kitties from the lake county animal shelter and this has filled a big hole in our heart. I recommend it!!!
So sorry for the loss of your sweet kitty.
So sorry to hear about Hilde. She was lucky to have been part of your family. She will always be in your hearts but it is painful to lose family pets.
Couple weeks ago, we had to put our little Rusty (miniature poodle) down. We love our pets and can’t live without them. So very sorry for your loss. We know the feeling all to well.
We’re sorry to hear about your own loss. It is hard!
So sorry to hear this…She looks exactly like and always reminded me of my girl, Olivia who passed at 18 in 2022 at hat sounds like similar health issues… May she rest in peace knowing how much she was loved by you both….
So sorry for your loss. I have an older cat that looks a lot like Hilde. His name is Harris and he’s about 19 now. Still eats well but moves slow and has “Potty” problems. I dread the day when he crosses the rainbow bridge. It is so difficult to lose a pet. I consider them my children and grieve deeply. Healing thoughts for you and your family.
Your writing ability has enabled you to share many sweet moments with your beloved Hilde. It awakens loving memories for others whose kitties 🐈⬛ have passed on. I hope she visits at least once.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your furbaby. Hilde knew she was loved.
God Bless
I extend my condolences to you. You can be assured she has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and will be waiting for you.
Sending hugs to you and your family. Cherish the memories.
So sad to hear about your loss of such a special family member! Cats are just the best – we’ve had to say goodbye to three of ours over the past 25 years and it is never easy even despite their age. They are family and will be forever missed! What a lovely tribute to beloved Hilde!
Rest in Peace, sweet Hilde. What a beautiful girl.
This made me cry, having had two cats that lived to a ripe old age of 15 and 20. I know she had a great life with y’all. RIP sweet Hilde.
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for giving her a long and happy life.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Hildegard. I also lost my kitty Pavlova 6 weeks ago and I can understand your grief. We would always make our Aldi grocery lists together and she loved their corrugated cardboard scratchers the most. Thank you for sharing the beautiful story of her life. And know it has helped me find comfort as we heal.
Sorry about the loss of your Pavlova. Wishing you comfort.
Thank you. ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss 🙁
Hildie reminds me of a rescue I have now. I have an old black cat who is declining now. pets are a part of our family and have a place in our hearts also. I’m sorry for your loss. I hope you morn for awhile but adopt again.
I am so sorry you’ve lost your Hilde, but what unforgettable memories you will always have. My first (after fifty years with no animals at all) was a little grey Tabby who looked a lot like yours. He became Cappy Cat (looked the color of cappaccino) and lived, like your girl, to 18 years. I keep him alive in my heart having taken an email address of mycappycat. Since then there have been no fewer than fifteen or twenty cats to adopt us from any number of places and we have loved them all. But there has never been another Cappy Cat, as I’m sure you will find with Hilde. Bless you both for giving her such a happy home.
Very sorry to learn this… may she be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge one day…
So sorry for your loss. They become such a part of our family that it really hurts to lose them.
Awwww, I’m so very sorry. She was beautiful.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your furbaby!
So sorry on the loss of Hilde. She was a wonderful cat.
I’m so sorry for your loss. We lost our 16-year-old diva in October and are still mourning her loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. Our kitties worm their day into your hearts and lives so easily. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you. 🙏🙏
Condolences.
Our mini schnauzer is named Hilde.
Hildegard means battle stronghold and it sounds like she protected her family up to the end.
Yes, Hilde certainly lived up to her name, which is something we have joked about over the years. Give your own little Hilde a pet for us!
My heart goes out to you and your family.
That loss is heartbreaking, I’m so sad for you and your family 😭💔🐾🌈
Our Scarlet was our world for 22 years and we still miss her and love the memories that pop up on our phones. God’s Blessings to you and your family during this extremely difficult time 🙏💝🕊️
What a beautiful kitty. You had a wonderful and long time together. I know she will always be in your hearts.
Thank you for the beautiful story. I always appreciate the infomrative reviews. And I love hearing about this wonderful pet.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful cat!
I am so sorry. I always enjoyed reading Hilde’s reviews of Aldi cat products. Please accept my condolences for your loss.
What a lovely tribute to a lovely girl – so sorry.
Thanks for sharing – Hilde had a great life as part of the family. She is now across the rainbow bridge – RIP Hilde !
Losing a friend and co-worker is especially hard. Celebrate a life well-lived in spite of the hole she’s left in your, and now our hearts.
On a lighter note, Hildegarde was also the name my parent once gave to their early GPS unit
Sorry to hear of your loss. Pets are family and it is hard when they leave us.
I’m so sorry for your loss but grateful that she had a wonderful, long life being loved by you and your family. May the days ahead bring peace and comfort.
Hilde looked like one cool cat. I have been partners with a few cats over my life time. They really do take on their own personalities. I think they make the best friends. It is sad when they go. But it is a blessing to know them while they are here.
Very sorry to hear that. Love the picture in the Aldi box. Our fur babies get into many an Aldi box here too. She looked like a beautiful and happy kitty. Hang in there.
I am so sorry for your loss of Hilde. She sounds like she was quite the character and a very important part of not only your team but your family. I enjoyed watching her stalk the robotic floor duster and all the pictures you posted of her. Thank you Hilde for reviewing all the kitty products, foods, litter and cat beds and cardboard houses.
She was obviously very well taken care of and very much loved…. as it should be for all kitties. Take good care- Cathy and 5 kitties.
Sorry for your loss. I really appreciate your site and enjoyed the pet articles especially.
Deepest sympathy to you. It’s so hard to lose a fur kid.
Aww so sorry for the loss of your dear kitty. I am so sad for you…
Thank you for allowing us a glimpse of your life with Hilde. Our pets touch us in so many ways.
Hilde was obviously much loved! My deepest condolences.
Joshua & family,
The day Hilde became part of your family – and then the Aldi Reviewer family! – everything changed for the better. May the love you felt that day, and every day after, fill your heart as you adjust to life without her.
My sincere condolences on your family’s loss. 🐈⬛🐈💞
Thank you for sharing the memories of your lovely cat Hilde, family member, companion, and product testing co-worker. My deepest condolences for your loss.