'Is it normal for Charlie to be less interested in us now that there's a kitten around?': Worried pawrents seek advice from the online cat community, but learn of the feline friendship blossoming in their family

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Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Jan 29, 2026 1:00 PM EST

We love how supportive the online cat community is.

Seriously, every time a person has any sort of cat inquiry (which is very on-brand for everything that's cat, with the curiosity and all), cat lovers worldwide are at the ready, keyboards clicking, to reassure or give advice when needed. It's like all feline fans are connected not just through the internet, but through our hearts - which are filled with cats, probably. And it doesn't matter if you come seeking advice as a first-time cat pawrent, or that you have a silly cat question to ask - someone will always be there to answer, from experience or with humor.

And here? Here we're talking about expurrrrienced pawrents, raising a very Good Boy™. But then they mixed in a new kitten into their family dish and something miraculous happened. Their first cat fell head over heels with the little floof, as if the cat had adopted the kitten by himself, and for himself. Now, if you know a thing or two about introducing cats to each other, you know this is a very good thing. But the first cat seemed to have lost some of his interest in his hoomans. Worried, they asked "Is it normal?", but rest assured - the online cat community always comes to the rescue.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10600999936
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 02
    So, my husband and I have had Charlie (on the right, 3 years old) for a year now.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 03
    From the beginning, he was very affectionate and always needed to be in close proximity to me.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 04
    We always joked that he hated my husband, but really he just preferred me and almost acted like my husband wasnt around.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 05
    My husband and I work schedules that only left him alone for 4 hours a day three days a week, so he spent a lot of time with someone around.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 06
    He seemed to be distressed when I'd get home from work, even with what little time he was home alone.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 07
    Around October of last year, I saw a stray kitten outside and brought her in to bring to the shelter the next morning
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 08
    She stayed in the bathroom and I never let them see each other, but Charlie seemed really interested in her and wasn't hissing or getting violent so we started considering getting him a friend.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 09
    He's always had a very calm temperament and rarely played, so we thought a kitten might liven him up.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 10
    In November, we brought home Laika (on the left, 8 weeks old when we adopted her)!
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 11
    She's the polar opposite of Charlie (cuddly but very independent, extremely playful, classic kitten energy). We kept her in our bathroom for two days before introducing them.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 12
    I took two more days off of work to monitor them throughout the day, and they hit it off immediately (this picture was taken a week after we brought Laika home)!
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 13
    Now, Charlie is so much more playful and energetic and still greets us when we get home, but he doesn't seem sad like he did before.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 14
    They both get along well and I've only had to separate them once when I felt like Charlie was playing too rough, but Laika immediately went back to playing with him no problem.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 15
    A few weeks into having Laika, we had to bring her to the vet for some vaccines and a general check up.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 16
    I heard that some cats will have a negative reaction to the smell of the cat who went to the vet so I monitored them for a couple days, but they acted completely normal.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 17
    I'm sorry if this is getting long, I'm just trying to think of absolutely everything I can.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 18
    My question is, is it normal for Charlie to be less interested in us now that there's a kitten around?
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 19
    He's still sweet and affectionate, some days he'll follow me around until I hold him like a baby and kiss him still.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 20
    But he never plays with us anymore, even with his favorite toys, and mostly follows Laika around or hangs out alone in his tower.
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 21
    Laika has gotten a long clingier with us over the last few weeks, and when she comes to cuddle Charlie will follow her but tends to stay away otherwise
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 22
    Two cats cuddling each other, looking content and happy. Sunny and well-lit background.
    via MoiLolita from Pixabay

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Adopting a kitten for your adult cat can be one of the best enrichment upgrades you’ll ever install - assuming personalities and introductions are handled thoughtfully. Cats are social learners, and in multi-cat households, they often engage in play, grooming, and shared routines that reduce boredom. A kitten brings fresh energy, encouraging an adult cat to move more, play more, and engage instincts that might otherwise go unused in a quiet home. This extra activity can support healthy weight and mental stimulation. Adult cats also act as accidental teachers: kittens learn bite inhibition, social boundaries, and proper “cat manners” by interacting with older cats, who correct them in very clear but usually harmless ways. For the adult cat, having a feline companion can provide social interaction when humans are busy or away, reducing loneliness and stress in some individuals. Many cats enjoy mutual grooming and sleeping together once bonds form, which has been linked to social comfort and reduced anxiety.

    Of course, compatibility matters - cats need slow introductions and safe spaces. But when the match works, adopting a kitten isn’t replacing attention - it’s giving your adult cat a friend who speaks the same language, shares the same sunbeams, and turns everyday life into a more engaging, whisker-filled experience.

  • 23
    KukiBreeze Yup, was the same for me. I became the dreaded number 2 initially. My girl spent a whole year without any other contact with other cats. After the initial shock of having to share her home, she was completely smitten by her new brother.
    via KukiBreeze
  • 24
    It lasted about a month then it felt more like a return to normal. No matter what we do, we can never replace the companionship of another cat. Likewise another cat will never offer them what we do.
    via KukiBreeze
  • 25
    Ultimately, consider yourself lucky. Cat introductions can be hell. Better to feel a little neglected than having to be on edge ready to break up a fight.
    via KukiBreeze
  • 26
    OP ceruleanmeadows >Ultimately, consider yourself lucky. Cat introductions can be hell. Better to feel a little neglected than having to be on edge ready to break up a fight. We are super happy that they get along so well! My in laws have two cats that have to be in separate rooms all the time otherwise they'll kill each other so I know how bad it gets
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 27
    Devi Moonbeam Poor Charlie had to live without a member of his own kind for three years. Would you want to live with only cats and never interact with a human for three years? He's a cat who needs other cats, so of course he's elated. Be happy for him.
    via Devi_Moonbeam
  • 28
    And before someone tells me about your cat who wants to be an only cat, that's probably because they never had a cat friend so didn't learn how to properly interact with other cats. And even if that's not the case, your cat still isn't Charlie.
    via Devi_Moonbeam
  • 29
    Cats are all individuals. So Charlie may return to his former behavior or he may not. I have bonded cats who are still extremely affectionate towards me.
    via Devi_Moonbeam
  • 30
    OP ceruleanmeadows We don't know charlies background from before he came to the shelter (we literally adopted him the day he got there, before they had even cleared him to go home and had to wait a week) but I strongly believe he was living on the street alone, so I understand why he's so smitten with our kitten. He was just such a mama's boy I didn't expect him to change so quickly!
    via ceruleanmeadows
  • 31
    bestgrapeinthepunnet This is such an adorable story!! I'm not an expert, but sounds like they have a bond and Charlie now has what he needs socially via the kitten, so doesn't need to come to his humans as much.
    via bestgrapeinthepunnet
  • 32
    Razmataaza Sounds the same as human children. Once they go to kindergarten they make friends and see mom as mom more than playmate
    via Razmataaza
  • 33
    Many_Mud_8194 My 2 cents is cats will ask for hugs and pet also when they get bored, so I think your cat is just so busy he doesn't have the need for the hugs. But his feeling for you didn't change.
    via Many_Mud_8194
  • 34
    XB-4509 Sadly (for us) this is pretty normal. I used to have great fun and games with our first cat. He was very playful and we would stalk each other around the house, giving each other little jump scares.
    via XB-4509
  • 35
    That all ended the day we got our second cat. The two of them are best buddies and play those games together now. He still comes to me for cuddle time though. Just not for games. Ultimately I think he's happier this way, which is the most important thing.
    via XB-4509
  • 36
    Rude_Assignment_5653 I went through a long 3 month process of dealing with misdirected aggression between our two bonded cats. Long story short, during their periods of separation, our male cat would not leave me alone. He needed constant attention, cats get bored. As soon as we solved all the problems: Spay, recovery, bladder stone, our male cat no longer needs that attention. You have nothing to worry about, they look so happy!
    via Rude_Assignment_5653
  • 37
    SgtMajorPanda Totally normal and cute af. These two have each other to chum around with and do cats things together, so they've become very close. Clearly crazy about each other, looking at the photo.
    via SgtMajorPanda
  • 38
    Imaginary-Tart9916 Sounds like you got your cat a kitten, lol. He's busy with his new kitten.
    via Imaginary-Tart9916
  • 39
    melkorthemorgoth To begin with: Yes, totally normal. Charlie's "dependence" (maybe not the right word, but what's coming to mind rn) sounds like a behaviour that was born out of something maybe taken away from his mother fellow kits too early, for example? We adopted a stray, Bill, who has basically fully- imprinted on me and will call me / be an annoying little turd just so that I can pet him while he eats, lol.
    via melkorthemorgoth
  • 40
    We have another cat, Tilly, who we've had much longer. Eleven years this August, I think, actually? (Crazy!) Temperament- wise, she's very different -- she's always been a bit more solitary, and taken to my wife more than me, and she has quirks: She meow-growls while she eats, it's the most ridiculous and silly thing. (She's done that since we got her her backstory is that -- she was abandoned in a window- well by her mom. We figure the meow-growl was maybe a behavioural thing she picked up arou
    via melkorthemorgoth
  • 41
    Anyway, TLDR at this point: Bill is desperate to play with Tilly, he so clearly engage with her like he does with me or our dog. She's basically having none of it, lol.
    via melkorthemorgoth

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