‘I [have] been "neglecting" my older cat’: Cat pawrent adopts a kitten for their older kitty, which goes ameowzingly, but they wonder if the adult cat was sad before the kitten joined the family

Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor

Jun 5, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Hello, cat pawrents! As cat pawrents ourselves, we know how much time and effort you must put in to making sure your cat is having a good time. First and foremost, all you lovely cat pawrents must attend to all the basic needs of your cat, like feeding them and cleaning their litter. After your cat is all well fed and rested, cat pawrents make sure their cats just have a good time, right? In playtime, mostly.

It's not a secret that kittens play much more than adult cats, and definitely more than the sweet senior cats who lived with us all their lives. But it doesn't mean that cats lose their interest in a play session, or their hunter instinct, once they reach adulthood. But it sure is harder to notice it. This next cat pawrent had to battle with this - they see that their adult cat isn't as playful as he was as a kitten, but… is this instinct still there?

You know, we understand that hooman. They didn't want to force their cat into any activity they thought he didn't want. But then came the kitten. This hearty hooman adopted a new kitten into their family, and just as the fully energized kitten was playing with the cat toys around the house - the adult cat started playing too, as if he's reliving his kittenhood.

This kind hooman wondered, "Was I neglecting my older cat up until now?", which is a very hard question to ask yourself, especially when all you try is to be the best cat pawrent you can for your cat children. They asked the online feline family for advice, and this wholesome community did not disappoint. This kind person received all the love and support a loving cat pawrent like them should. Some even shared their own stories of adopting a new kitten into their families, while also having an adult cat around.

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We can definitely understand how a realization on the lines of “My cat was actually not doing good this whole time” can shake a person's confidence in their cat pawrenting. But it seems this particualr pawrent loves their cat so much, and now their kitten as well. And both of the cats love each other. This is what matters.
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Oh, yes. This person got that right. And the fact that the pawrent of this cutie patootie listened is just wholesome. Look at this floofy tiny face! So adorable. No wonder he made friends with the adult cat so quickly.
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