What is Kitten Play?

Kitten play is, in its most basic form, the act of roleplaying as a Kitten. In a wider sense it is a subsection of animal roleplay (petplay), which is its own subsection of the DS (Dominance/submission) part of the BDSM acronym. But what does that mean? Like many roles within the diverse world of BDSM, Kitten play has almost as many expressions as there are people that indulge in it. Covering everything will be beyond the scope of this article, but I’ll do my best to discuss the basics.

What It’s Not

Kitten play is not related to the furry fandom, though there is certainly crossover between the two worlds. The furry fandom revolves around anthropomorphic animals and individuals often create a fursona, or animal persona, that they use to represent themselves within the community. Some furries are into BDSM and some are not. Kitten play only exists within a BDSM context. The two cultures have different norms, language, and aesthetics.

Kitten play is not bestiality. The attraction to kitten play revolves around a specific dynamic and relationship style. Any pet based dynamic is about a power exchange between consenting adults. Ears and tail are added for aesthetic and to signal the role of the wearer and does not represent attraction to real animals. Bestiality is unwelcome within the BDSM community, as it does not meet the guidelines of SSC (safe, sane, consensual) or RACK (risk-aware consensual kink).

Kitten play is not therianthropy, though this is another area with some crossover. A therian has a spiritual connection to an animal, even to the point of viewing themselves as having the soul of that animal. Kitten play is exactly that – play. It has no inherent spiritual meaning, though a therian may certainly find themselves drawn towards this aspect of BDSM as part of their spiritual expression.

Kitten play is not inherently sexual. This can be confusing for those new to BDSM. Sex and BDSM certainly get along very well, but BDSM activities do not require sex. BDSM is about power exchange. Some kittens will mix sex with their play and some will not.

Variations

While you probably already know kitten play has as many expressions as there are people who partake in it, let‘s explore some of those expressions. The previous section talked a lot about common kitten play expression, but there is no fixed rule book you have to follow. guideline. No one Way.

Remember how I said earlier that kitten play has almost as many expressions as there are people that indulge in it? Well let’s talk about some of that. While the above section talked a lot about common kitten play expression, there is no rule book. No One True Way. And everyone’s journey and experience is bound to be different.

Some kittens, for example, might be switches or dominants. Though Kittens are traditionally submissive, how often do you hear that humans are owned by their cats? Or that cats remember being worshipped as gods (and act like it)? Yep. In some dynamics, the kitten is the one calling the shots, and their human is submissive!

Some kittens don’t want an owner at all. Not everyone interested in power exchange is looking for a full time relationship. Some kittens are more interested in casual play partners than submitting to an official Owner. I call these cats ferals. This is to contrast with a stray, who is an unowned kitten looking to be owned, and a foster, which is a term I made up to reference a stray that is currently being trained or considered.

Kitten play culture can be so diverse! At the end of it all, the most important aspect of kitten play is identity. Anyone that identifies with the lifestyle, whether as an occasional indulgence or a 24/7 commitment, should feel empowered to find their own path and their own meaning. After all, even the furry friends that we draw inspiration from come in so many shapes, colors, and personalities!

What It Is

The most common expression of kitten play revolves around a dominant owner and a submissive kitten. It is the owner’s job to care for and train their kitten and the kitten’s job to obey and please their owner. Kittens are often (though not always) more spoiled and bratty than other submissive types. They tend to be playful, mischievous, and provocative. Kitten owners should have patience and a good sense of humor!

There are varying degrees of intensity within kitten play. For some, it is an occasional game to spice things up. For others, it is a 24/7 lifestyle. Some kittens wear cat ears and get a little feisty during sex. Other kittens will crawl, utilize speech restrictions, and eat out of a pet bowl. Kitten play exists on a spectrum, and there are so many ways to explore!

While we’re here, let’s talk about kitten space! This is the term we use for a kitten that is in their kitten play headspace. This is a very vulnerable place to be, as kittens tend to be more in tune with their id. They are more primal. More instinctive. And that means they can be more sensitive, more emotional, and more open. Sharing that space with an Owner is a very intimate thing. It can be therapeutic and stress relieving. While some 24/7 kittens will maintain an aspect of kitten space in their day to day lives, deep kitten space is not meant to be maintained indefinitely. Kitten space most often occurs naturally during active play.

There are many different ways to play with a kitten. When in doubt, start with the basics: feed the kitty, pet the kitty, groom the kitty, pounce. Feed the kitty out of a pet bowl or hand feed them treats in exchange for tricks. Pet and cuddle the kitty while you watch a movie. Run a brush gently through the kitty’s hair. Get out the laser pointer, a ball with a bell inside, or a wand toy for a game of pounce. All of these activities can help reinforce a kitten’s role.

A lot of people ask us, “What is kitten play?” Like many roles within the diverse world of BDSM, kitten play has almost as many expressions as there are people that indulge in it. This is why we conducted a survey on the topic.

Kitten Play in the BDSM Community

Kitten play is a subculture within the BDSM community that involves one person taking on the characteristics of a pet, typically a kitten, while the other takes on the role of their owner, master or caretaker. This dynamic creates a power exchange between the two participants, where the “kitten” is submissive and the “master” is dominant. Kitten play can be both sexual or non-sexual and may incorporate different elements of BDSM depending on the individuals involved.

One of the defining features of kitten play is the concept of “kitten headspace” or “kittenspace”. This is a state of mind where the “kitten” fully embodies the traits and behaviors of their feline alter ego. The process of entering this space can be an escape from reality, allowing the participant to feel carefree and more in tune with their inner cat.

The relationship between a master and kitten in kitten play is based on trust, attention and dependence. The master is responsible for taking care of the kitten and enforcing rules and punishments for certain behaviors. The kitten is expected to be obedient and loyal to their master, serving them to the best of their abilities.

In kitten play, there is a ceremony called collaring that acts like a wedding and is a symbol of the bond between the master and kitten. This involves signing a contract that binds the two participants together and establishes the terms of their relationship. The collaring ceremony can be as simple or elaborate as the participants wish, with some opting for traditional BDSM collars and others opting for cute ribbons or necklaces.

Kitten play can be seen as a form of role-play, but for many participants, it is much more than just a game. It is a way for them to feel and identify with a specific aspect of themselves and can help to relieve stress and bring joy to their life. The lifestyle is completely customizable, with each master and kitten creating their own dynamic that is unique and special to their relationship.

Kitten play is not just about sex and can range from extreme to gentle. Some relationships involve the kitten being locked in a cage and being fed at certain times, while others are more soft and involve wearing a collar and being treated like a real pet kitten, with cuddles and gentle care. Despite being considered taboo by some, kitten play is a legitimate and valid lifestyle choice for those who participate in it.

In conclusion, kitten play is a subcategory of BDSM that involves the power exchange between a master and a kitten. It is a way for participants to escape reality, embody their inner cat and create a unique and special relationship with their partner. Whether sexual or non-sexual, kitten play is a personalized BDSM experience that is tailored to the individual participants.

“What is Kitten play” answered by active kittens

Kitten play is a sub culture of BDSM where one goes into the head space of a kitten, sometimes the kitten player has an owner, master, mistress, care giver, Etc. Kitten play has a ceremony called Collaring its like a wedding but a little bit more complicated, the “owner” and the kitten player both sign a contract that binds them together.

A pet and Master, pet being a submissive person whilst a Master is the dominant person. Both take care of each other emotionally and physically.

To me, kitten play is a subcategory of domination and submission and can incorporate different elements of BDSM depending on the relationship or person participating in kitten play. It involves the desire to be seen as an animal pet or to own an animal pet; it differs from the human pet aspect of D/S because of the need for some people to enter “kitten headspace” or “kittenspace”, which is absent in the normal D/S relationship. It can be seen as a form of roleplay, but to many it is much more than that.

Kitten play is a part of the sub-Dom relationship in the BDSM community. It involves 2 roles, a master (Dom) and a kitten (sub). The master is responsible for taking care of the kitten with a set of rules and punishments that must be enforced for certain kinds of behavior. The kitten is basically a pet, in which their behavior is pet/cat-like. Kittens are meant to be obedient and loyal and serve their masters to the best of their abilities.

In BDSM, the power exchange from the Dom and the sub, the sub taking the role of a pet (in this case, a cat/kitten) and the Dom is the protector, owner, master, etc.

It’s a way a person feels and identifies with. This person enjoys acting as an animal to an extent and it sometimes help them to relieve stress and it makes them feel good.

a person who behaves like a cat/kitten because it’s what they enjoy :3

A BDSM sub category under pet play. When a dominant takes the role of a Master or any other name they choose. And the submissive takes the role of a pet in which case this is a kitten. The Dom takes care of, trains, loves, disciplines, and may or may not do sexual activities with his or her pet.

A BDSM bond between a dom & sub, played out as “master” or “daddy” as the dom and “kitten” as the sub. Practicing an exchange of power between pet and owner, learning the boundaries of both parties, and creating a dynamic that’s unique and special just for you two. Can be anything extreme from being locked up in a cage and being fed at certain times in an actual pet bowl or even soft like wearing cute ribbon collars as a sign of ownership and being treated like an actual pet kitten, with cuddles and gentle care. It’s a personalised BDSM relationship that isn’t by any means defined as “a true kitten play relationship” by any other person other than the dom & sub. It is what you choose to make it!

the sub being and acting like the Dom’s pet

It’s basically BDSM but the submissive is a kitten and they dress up like a kitten cuz cats are wat they identify with

Kitten play is a subcategory of BDSM, where the Top (typically titled as the owner, Master or Dom) has control over and cares for the bottom who in this case, is titled the pet or kitten. The relationship is based on trust, attention and dependence in the way a pet truly would be with their owner. Though, like any BDSM lifestyle, each definition is completely dependent on its’ practitioners.

A person in the BDSM community who takes on the characteristics of a cat, kitten or big cat for sexual or nonsexual purposes

A sub-type of BDSM based activity centered around taking on the persona of a cat; sometimes with the use of accessories or “kitten gear”. Kitten play can be sexual or non sexual.

A BDSM lifestyle

A BDSM relationship between Dom and sub where the submissive is the kitten.

It is a sub category of BDSM, wherein the sub and/or Dom(me) role play as a kitten.

The act of a sub committing kitten like behaviours, usually with a Master Dom who takes care of them and treats them as a pet.

Finally being able to be myself and having an amazing Dom that accepts and nurtures that side of me. Escape from daily reality where I can just lounge and be cared for.

Kitten play is a sub category of BDSM when you are a pet to a dom. As the sub/pet you look to your dom to take care of you, love you, and keep you in line. Pet play/BDSM isn’t all about sex.

Kitten play is a form of BDSM where one person takes the characteristics of a pet and the other is their master/owner.

A lifestyle. A lot of people find it taboo, it’s a sub category of BDSM.

A mind space where one acts like any time of cat that they prefer or connect most with. It let’s one escape from reality and live the life of a cat. There are no set rules to kitten play. As long as there is some sort of head space of a cat, it is kitten play.

Letting out your inner kitten. Being yourself. Being playful and without responsibility… freely being who you are or most wish to be with who you love.being taken care of. Loved and cherished.

Entering a headspace that allows you to take on a kitten/cat aspect and letting go of your responsibilities and issues as an adult.

A person who likes to be like a kitten. Kitten play can be two people taking the parts of master/mistress and kitten and interacting. It often has sexual aspects.

A form of pet play, where the emphasis is on power imbalance between the sub (pet) and dom. Kitten play is one of the cuter variations of pet play, involving soft and hardcore elements.

Kitten play is a sub category of BDSM consisting of 2 (or more) concenting adults. Kitten play is a power exchanged relationship in which the Submissive goes into the headspace of a kitten. It can be both sexual and non sexual and each dynamic is different.

In its most basic form, kitten play is a form of role-play in which one or more participants take on the role of a real or imaginary species of feline. This can be as little or as much as the participants desire, and can include the mannerisms, behavior, and look of said animal. If one or more of the participants does not take the role of an animal, they can choose to take part by playing the role of trainer, Owner, etc. Participants can experience an altered state of mind, usually referred to as sub- or pet- space, letting go of human worries and returning to baser instincts, allowing for full immersion in the present.