My one year old cat has been living with us for about 4 weeks now and he's not that interested in any of us unless there is food on offer.

Sometimes he will come to me and I stroke him and he purrs, he head buts me sometimes and he does follow me around.

However he is not interested in sitting on my lap and given the chance he will go and sleep somewhere in the house on his own all the time.

Is there anything I can do about this?

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It sounds as though he has settled fairly well,some cats are just not "lap cats".Do you play with him with interactive toys,fishing rod type toys,a lazer pointer Da bird is an excellent ice breaker Da Bird - GoCat Da-Bird Cat Toy - 2 part easy store Rod.
It will take time ,but I think he is doing quite well so far.Just let him take it at his own pace and if he seeks you out to play spend some quality time with him.Good luck and please keep us updated.

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I do play with him but the kitten comes along and he just lets her take over. perhaps I should start playing with him in a different room?

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i had this problem with playing with oscar when i got howard i used to make sure to shut howard out for about an hour a day and give oscar lots of one to one time......oscars still a grumpy b*** lol but she and howard get along ok and everyone gets cuddles

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4 weeks is not really long, so give him time and when he learns to trust you he will settle down and want to be nearer you when he sleeps.

I always think of cats as hughly suspicious creatures and they are most vulnerable when alseep so it is natural they will find a quiet spot to sleep in. It is only when they trust you (effectively with their lives) that they will happily curl up on your lap and fall asleep, knowing they will be safe and unharmed.

However, not all cats are lap cats and some never want directly contact with their owners even though they do 'love' them.

My cats sleep on our laps but there are times when they prefer their basket or a dark space (usually somewhere they shouldn't be, like my study, or in a kitchen cupboard) Times like that I leave them alone so they also feel confident of having their own space. Let's face it, we all have moments we would rather get away from everyone for an undisturbed snooze...

Do you know the history of your cat? Maybe there is a reason for his cautious behaviour?

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Out of interest who came first,the kitten or your new cat,or did they come together.

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His history was apparently that his owner moved somewhere where she couldn't have a pet. He ex got the other cat and she got her sister in law to rehome him.

He was very grumpy that night we got him and growled and hissed a lot. I was worried he wouldn't settle down at first but he did and is an absolute dream with my kitten.

I just don't want him feeling pushed out.

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I'd had the kitten for about 4 weeks before I got the cat and they get on famously.

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Thats good to hear that he gets on well with your kitten.I really dont know what to suggest other than to just give him time and space and let him come round in his own time.He doesnt sound as though he is unhappy just a bit of a loner,some are

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No he doesn't seem unhappy. I just worry because I've never had cats before and I love them so much.

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