'He showed no interest in her': 20-year-old ignores kitten, but then demands it's his when it bonds with his 18-year-old brother instead

Author image for Sarah Brown
Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Jun 21, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

This family drama is pawsitively wild. An 18-year-old took in a kitten that was meant for his 20-year-old brother… but guess who couldn't be bothered to lift a paw? Big brother didn't feed her, play with her, or spend a single cent on her care. Meanwhile, the younger sibling became her hero. He paid for food, litter, vet bills, meds, everything the kitten needed. Naturally, the clever little cat chose him as her favorite. She sleeps in his bed, follows him around, and feels safest by his side.

Now, out of the blue, the brother is throwing a catty tantrum. He claims it's "unfair" that the kitten bonded with the person who's actually there for her. He wants the kitten handed over simply because she was originally his. Even though he hasn't done a whisker's worth of work. Thankfully, Mom's backing the brother who actually cares.

Cats aren't prizes, they're family. And this kitten already picked hers.

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  • 01
    'She has already bonded with me'
    via Imagenes de Cris Shamrock / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I 18(M) live with my brother 20(M) and our mother 44 (F) and we have 4 pets. My mom has 1 husky, and Iii have a husky and a kitten. My brother has a grown cat. My kitten was originally supposed to belong to my brother but he showed not interest in her and didnt even try in taking care of her. I pay for her vet
    via u/TeaFinancial9667
  • 03
    bills, food, meds, litter, etc. You name it and I pay for it. Since she is so small and my mom and i's dogs are high energy we have her in a section of our house where the dogs don't go. Since we got her shes also been sleeping with me and choosing to come to my bedroom and sleep/eat opposed to my brothers room. Now he is
    via u/TeaFinancial9667
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10519510784
    via JulieK's Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 05
    suddenly saying her attachment to me is not fair to him or his cat and I should just let him have her. I told him he hasn't put a dollar in or any sort of time or effort into her so she is my cat (my name is also in her chip and vet account as well).
    via u/TeaFinancial9667
  • 06
    He is now going to our mom and saying I should give him the cat he is entitled to because she was given to him. But he is also upset because mom is with me on this one. I feel like it wouldnt be fair to the kitten as she feels most comfortable around me and she has already bonded with me the most. Am I the a hole?
    via u/TeaFinancial9667
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10519516928
    via marusyatarasova / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    Lyoko251616 The cat distribution system also lets the cat choose who they bond with. NTA If your brother wanted the kitten to bond with him so badly, he should have poured the attention you gave into her. But he sat on his hands and let you take care of her instead.
    via u/Lyoko251616

  • If he hasn’t done anything to care for her, he can’t just claim she’s his. Pets bond with the person who actually puts in the time and love!

  • 09
    3batsinahousecoat No. He didn't take care of the cat. That wasn't fair to HER. You did. He made his choice, he can't go back on it now because the baby doesn't like him
    via u/3batsinahousecoat
  • 10
    DollGrrlTrixie universal cat distribution system is in full effect! your $$$, your caring, kitty's preference for you..... PLUS your name is on her chip. congratulations! you have a new cat! NTA - enjoy your fur baby!
    via u/DollGrrlTrixie
  • 11
    Dittoheadforever You're NTA. People don't choose cats. Cats choose their people. The cat chose you.
    via u/Dittoheadforever
  • 12
    generickayak Sounds like he needs to grow up
    via u/generickayak

  • He’s supposed to be the older brother. Maybe it’s time he acted like it. Instead of throwing a fit, he should grow up and try actually taking some responsibility for once!

  • 13
    Alarming-Problem... NTA rhat cat is comfortable with you, registered to you and you've been rhe one caring for her.
    via u/Alarming-Problem-475
  • 14
    StormingSunshine NTA he doesn't take care of the kitten in any way so he doesn't get to keep it.
    via u/StormingSunshine
  • 15
    walkinwater NTA - You have taken responsibility financially and emotionally of the kitten. She is yours.
    via u/walkinwater
  • 16
    MossMyHeart NTA you belong to the cat though don't get it twisted, the name on the chip is legal proof of ownership and the cat says you're their person.
    via u/MossMyHeart
  • 17
    Smiles-Bite NTA Cats are not objects, they choose people they like; not to mention you have all the paperwork in the world to back that up, stuff him and his entitlement. If he cared, he would have the paperwork himself. I bet he wouldn't even know her ID or chip number. <.<
    via u/Smiles-Bite

  • If your name’s on her chip, sounds like she’s yours. End of story. You put in the care, the time, and the love. He doesn’t get to claim that now. 

  • 18
    NatashOverWorld The cat choose you. End of story. He can try with a new cat and actually put some attention in this time. NTA
    via u/NatashOverWorld
  • 19
    Slightlysanemomof5 So your 20 year old, adult brother is tattling about you to mommy? You took his toy that he didn't want or take care of and now wants the toy returned. Keep all of records, make a list of payments to vet, food litter, microchip, add it up then add care /boarding
    via u/Slightlysanemomof5
  • 20
    fee for time since brother started neglecting the kitten. Present to brother as a bill and see if he really wants the kitten bad enough to pay for it, my bet is no. The kitten is yours and registered to you. Your brother is petty and immature. NTA.
    via u/Slightlysanemomof5

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brother kitten advice family Cats family drama family feud argument
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