Man Weirded Out Friend Didn’t Change Her Cat’s Name After He Gave His Newborn The Same Name

If you don’t examine your own thoughts too clearly, it’s very easy to end up in a situation where you think that just because you prefer something, you are somehow automatically entitled to it. After all, the internet is littered with tales of folks who decided to make requests about things they have no business touching.

A woman asked the internet for advice when her friend demanded that she change her cat’s name, as it turns out he gave his newborn the same name and thought this wasn’t an acceptable option. Commenters shared their thoughts both on her situation and the demands of this so-called “friend.”

Some people give their pets “human” names

Orange and white cat standing on a crib railing next to a newborn baby lying inside, highlighting friend claims cat name newborn.

Image credits: Helena Lopes (not the actual photo)

But one woman was surprised when her friend asked her to change the name of the cat she had for years

Alt text: Woman upset as friend claims cat name for newborn, sparking pet and baby name conflict debate.

Friend claims cat name as newborn nickname while sharing a funny story about Milo licking a socket.

Text conversation about friend claiming cat name Milo for their newborn, causing a funny identity mix-up and mild disagreement.

Conversation about a friend claiming the cat name after a newborn causes confusion between kid and pet.

Text excerpt about a friend claiming the cat’s name affects the newborn’s name legacy and refusing to compromise.

Friend claims cat name for newborn while a concerned woman listens during a serious conversation at home.

Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

Text discussing someone refusing to change their cat’s name after a friend used it for their newborn baby.

Image source: National-Extreme-391

People who think they are entitled to something must be handled with care

Image credits: Dylan Ferreira (not the actual photo)

Dealing with entitled people is complicated, as they tend to have a loose grip on reality. Being firm and unrelenting is often the way to go, but what should someone do when the “entitled person” is a friend? A misplaced sense of entitlement will typically appear when someone anticipates special favors or privileges without regard for your feelings or situation. They may insist on getting favors at inconvenient times, make you cancel your plans to assist them, or always expect you to cater to their needs. At first, you write it off as forgetfulness or failure to plan, but when it is a trend, it is a sign of something more profound.

They may have learned in other contexts that pushing boundaries yields some sort of results, and they bring that expectation into your friendship without realizing the strain it causes. Recognizing this helps frame their behavior not as pure malice but as a misguided attempt to fill an internal gap. In this case, “Jake” probably thinks of his newborn as considerably more important than a cat. This is a perspective from his position as a father, but it is valid. So it’s possible to see where his mind “stretches” reality to make his request seem “reasonable,” even when it’s not.

Another one is a lack of awareness, in other words, they simply don’t see the effect their requests have on you. If you’ve been a yes-person consistently, they may never even question whether their demands are too much. The dynamic can become self-perpetuating: your compliance habituates them to keep making more requests. Meanwhile, you may be guiltily or anxious not to say no because you’re fearful of creating boundaries that will end the friendship. Unchecked entitlement kills deep connection quicker than honest boundaries, however.

There are a few things people can do to “manage” friends that behave like this

Image credits: George Dagerotip (not the actual photo)

Managing a friend’s expectations starts with being aware of your own limits and putting value on your own well-being. Reflect on whose requests actually demand more of you than is fair to offer. Is it the time, funds, or effective labor? Naming this enables you to respond in an assertive, rather than reactive, manner. Remember that a no to a single request does not make you a horrible friend, it makes you a thoughtful friend who honors your own needs as well as the substance of the relationship.

Second, talk assertively but respectfully. Choose a calm moment to inform them how some of the demands affect you. Don’t label them as “entitled.” Mention particular examples: “I felt overwhelmed when asked to drive you home last-minute after a whole day of work.” Use “I” statements to make it about your experience rather than blaming. This strategy reduces defensiveness and makes space for discussion. An actual friend may never realize the impact of their actions until you kindly point it out with empathy.

Offer alternatives where you can. Some comments suggested, rather comically, to refer to the child as “human Milo,” although this does seem like it could cause more confusion. It’s also worth noting that it’s strange for “Jake” to assume there will be a plethora of situations where the cat-owner will be referencing Milo and random people will assume it’s his child.

The reality is that things can get complicated quickly

Image credits: Gabriel Ponton (not the actual photo)

Setting that aside, if you want to keep the friendship but also not bow to their demands, there are going to be some difficulties. First of all, expect resistance. An entitled friend will most likely become defensive, claim that you’re being unsupportive, or try to guilt-trip you. Stay firm on your reasons and reiterate your boundaries in a casual way. If they insist that you did more for them previously, thank them for past help but clarify that things are different now.

Watch how they react with time. An open-to-grow friend will say sorry, adjust expectations, and try their hardest to pay it forward. They might check in: “How can I better serve you?” and respect your boundaries. If they instead persist in pushing or disregarding your needs, that is a sign of relationship out-of-balance. Ask yourself whether this friendship is enriching your life.

Quitting or stepping back from toxic dynamics is hard, but keeping your sanity tends to mean letting go of the drainers not the uplifters. Finally, build respect-based friendships. Reflect upon how you interact with others: don’t place unrealistic expectations on friends yourself. Engage in good behavior by asking first before asking for favors, being appreciative when people assist you, and paying it forward. Surrounding yourself with people who respect boundaries creates a positive cycle: you become better at recognizing entitlement earlier and maintaining relationships where care is reciprocal. In the end, maintaining misplaced entitlement in the friend is less about saying no and more about establishing a culture of respect, honesty, and reciprocity that facilitates true connections.

Most thought her friend was out of his mind

Screenshot of a forum comment saying "NTA Your friend is an idiot" related to friend claims cat name newborn debate.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing a friend who claims a cat name for their newborn child.

Comment discussing a friend who claims a cat name was given to a newborn, advising on name-sharing issues.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing the friend who claims cat name for a newborn in a casual conversation.

Comment discussing a friend claiming cat name for a newborn and criticizing the expectation to change the cat’s name.

Comment discussing a friend who claims the cat name for their newborn, suggesting name confusion solutions.

Reddit comment about a friend claiming a cat name also shared with a newborn, discussing name sharing between pets and family.

Comment discussing a friend who claims a cat name is the same as a newborn's, causing family tension and humor.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a friend claiming a cat name for their newborn child.

Comment on a forum thread, with username Difficult_Regret_900, sharing a humorous message about a cat named Milo licking a socket.

Comment about friend claims cat name newborn suggesting naming car, bike, and fish to settle the issue amicably online.

Reddit user comments on a friend claiming the cat’s name for their newborn, questioning the choice.

Reddit comment discussing suspicion about a friend who claims a cat name for a newborn in an online thread.

Comment stating a friend claims cat name for a newborn, suggesting a name rebrand to MJ due to junior status.

Comment stating frustration about a friend naming their newborn the same as the cat, involving friend-claims-cat-name-newborn.

Screenshot of an online comment suggesting calling a friend's baby Milo, relating to friend claims cat name newborn.

Comment explaining a friend claims cat name as newborn Milo, highlighting confusion between baby and pet.

Comment about a friend claiming a cat name for their newborn, mentioning Milo as a common animal and people name.

Screenshot of an online comment asking if a friend just learned the cat’s name, related to friend claims cat name newborn.

Comment about friend claims cat name newborn, mentioning adopted dog and multiple cats named Milo.

Friend claims cat name for newborn in an online discussion about pet naming and family decisions.

Comment discussing a friend claiming the cat's name over a newborn, highlighting humor and family dynamics.

Comment discussing Milo as a quintessential orange cat name in a friend claims cat name newborn debate.

Screenshot of a comment explaining a friend claims cat name for a newborn child without confusion between pet and baby.

Comment expressing frustration about a friend claiming cat name and affecting the newborn's legacy.

Friend claims cat name after newborn son named Milo, asking to change the baby's name due to the cat's original name.

Comment discussing a friend who claims a cat name and experiences with others naming newborns similarly.

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