A cat mom thought bringing home a new kitten would be the start of a sweet friendship — but she wasn’t prepared for just how brutally honest her senior cat would be.
In a now-viral Instagram video shared under the handle @bambi_theminkragdoll, a tiny ragdoll kitten named Bambi can be seen repeatedly trying to bond with the household’s older cat, Milo. Unfortunately for Bambi, the feeling is very much not mutual — at least at first.
The clip shows Bambi cautiously approaching a sleepy Milo in hopes of play or cuddles. Instead, Milo responds with hisses and gentle shoves, making it very clear he wants to be left alone. Each time he’s rejected, Bambi backs away with what viewers have described as a completely heartbreaking, defeated little face.
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“Day 20 of our new kitten trying to cuddle the elderly cat,” the caption reads. “Another heartbreak for Bambi. Look at that sad little face. Please love him already, Milo.”
The owner later explained that while the moment looks rough, Milo has actually made progress over the past few weeks.
“Milo came a long way in the past 20 days,” the caption added. “He’s a good boy for letting Bambi come this close. But it’s still heartbreaking seeing Bambi’s little sad face when his affection is rejected.”
Thankfully, Bambi’s story doesn’t end there. In a follow-up update shared later in the week, Milo appears to be slowly warming up to his new little brother. The older cat is seen allowing Bambi to come near without hissing — and the two even begin eating near each other, a major step forward in cat relationship terms.
The video quickly struck a chord with viewers, racking up more than 82,000 views and thousands of likes. Commenters flooded the post with sympathy for Bambi and encouragement for Milo.
“Poor guy, he needs time to understand that loving two is not dividing love, but multiplying it,” one user wrote.
“This is so sad to see this darling face so unhappy,” another added. “I hope soon they can be friends!”
Others urged the owner to give Bambi extra cuddles in the meantime, while many shared their own stories of slow-burn cat friendships that eventually turned into inseparable bonds.
Animal experts say this kind of rocky introduction is actually very normal. When bringing a new kitten into a home with a resident cat, patience is key. Experts recommend giving the kitten a separate safe space at first, slowly introducing scents, and allowing limited, supervised interactions until both cats feel comfortable.
While it may take days — or even weeks — for peace to be fully restored, Bambi’s growing confidence and Milo’s gradual tolerance suggest this duo may still end up becoming friends.
For now, though, the internet is firmly Team Bambi — rooting for the tiny kitten whose biggest dream is just one cuddle from his grumpy big brother. 🐾