Cat embarrassment

[ImAvingOops]

Hi all,
I have a 4 year old cat and an 8pm that old kitten. Both house cats. I'm concerned about my 4 year old because she won't play with us and shows no interest in the toys. When younger and before we got the kitten, she would play with us, but now she does the occasional swipe at the laser or springy toy then just stops - it's like she's gotten all shy to be playing with us.
She does get the occasional zoomed and will chase the kitten and play with her, she uses the scratch posts and likes the cat tree but that's it.
She's not very affectionate either, except occasionally when she'll sit on my pillow next to me and purr but weeks can go by without her doing this. If I try to cuddle her she leaves, although she will put up with us stroking her and she goes like to sit with us. She doesn't like being alone and got quite stressed when the kitten had to go the vets.
Can cats get embarrassed or shy? And what can I do to encourage her to play more?

8 month old kitten. Weird autocorrect there!

Some cats just don't play. I've given up trying to get my pair two. I leave toys out but they are rarely touched.

My cats weren't interested in playing once they hit adulthood. I think it's something they grow out of.

My cat won't play with toys, but if she finds a top off the toothpaste, or a piece of paper, she'll bat it around for ages, jumping and rolling on it.

I'm worried she'll get bored, what with being an indoor cat. She's also a bit chunky and is on light cat food but she really needs to be more active. As a kitten she played with everything!

Only one of mine really plays with anything - she's five. This morning she spent ages chasing the dogs' lead around the living room - while it was still attached to the dog

The six and two year olds' just aren't interested - they'd rather eat or sleep!

As long as they have the option, I don't think it matters that they don't want to play so try not to worry

She might be sulking or feeling a bit jealous of this new baby. Hopefully she will snap out of it when she realises how boring it is. My 5 year old cat sulked for about 18 months when we got her a little sister. She refused to sleep in her bed at all until last year. She is back to normal now but she will stop playing immediately if the little one comes over to play as well. She'll come and find me to play when the other one is asleep. Sometimes she will still get up and leave the room if we come and sit with her, they just like their own time alone sometimes.

Some cats do take a long time to come around when their noses have been put out of joint. We adopted a 3 year old house cat, she had come from a loving home and we were told she was really affectionate. It took about 18months before she would even approach us. Now(6 years later) she is an absolute stalker and drops and rolls for belly rubs at every available opportunity. She might just be feeling a bit put out. Time might just be all that is needed.

Thanks all. She seems okay with the kitten - walked around the house looking for her everywhere when she was at the vets. And she will chase around after the kitten. Hope I haven't upset her, we partly got the kitten do she wouldn't be lonely

Perhaps all her play needs are met by the kitten now and you and your not-good-enough cat toys have become superfluous to requirements?

Could be

Get a Da Bird toy. Haribo goes mental for the purr peller one but he's always been a "this is the best toy ever" type of cat. It's quite pricey (£9.99) and doesn't last long but the joy on his little face is worth it.