- Categories:
- Animal
- Tags:
- CatPetPet Health
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every July 10
- Holiday emoji:
- 🐈
National Kitten Day celebrates the irresistible cuteness of young cats every July 10. From their playful antics to their soft purrs, kittens bring immense joy and companionship into our lives. Consider adopting or fostering a kitten, donating to a local shelter, or simply showering your feline friend with extra love today.
Want to sponsor National Kitten Day? Learn how
Expected National Kitten Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Kitten Day often inspires special offers from pet retailers and brands. Look for significant discounts on kitten food from major brands like Purina Kitten Chow, Royal Canin Kitten, and Hill’s Science Diet, along with deals on essential supplies such as toys, beds, scratching posts, and litter from large retailers like PetSmart and Petco. Many online stores, including Chewy and Amazon Pet Supplies, are also expected to feature flash sales. Additionally, local pet stores and animal shelters may host special adoption events, sometimes offering reduced fees or complimentary starter kits from partners like Friskies or Blue Buffalo for new pet parents. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 10 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Kitten Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalKittenDay. Share adorable photos and videos of your kittens, or highlight adoptable kittens from local shelters.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalKittenDay. Film cute kitten compilations, funny playtimes, or ‘a day in the life’ of a foster kitten.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalKittenDay. Share heartwarming adoption stories, tips for kitten care, or promote local shelter events.
National Kitten Day Hero
Henry Bergh
History of National Kitten Day
Cats are an enigma, and we humans are utterly fascinated by them. Cats have been living with people for 12,000 years, according to scientists. We are still not exactly sure when cats became domesticated, especially since the skeletons of wild cats and domesticated cats discovered at archaeological sites are very similar. Still, most evidence suggests that the domestication of cats occurred more than 8,000 years ago.
As if cats were not already so irresistibly cute, they are even more adorable as kittens! Sweet little babies that we just want to hold and cuddle, and once they start purring, our hearts simply melt. National Kitten Day is when we spoil and pamper our little fur babies. Created by animal advocate and pet expert Colleen Paige, National Kitten Day is also an opportunity for abandoned kittens to be adopted into loving homes.
While many of our kittens will be given special treatment today, countless kittens don’t find homes. Left alone at shelters, on roadsides, or in the wild, National Kitten Day doubles as an awareness campaign to save these babies and give them the love they rightfully deserve.
National Kitten Day timeline
African wildcats enter towns in Ancient Egypt, looking for food.
Domesticated cats are sold across the world in secret.
Cats have important jobs serving in the First World War.
Cats Protection is established to teach people how to look after their cats.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Kitten Day
Local pet stores can host ‘kitten adoption days’ in partnership with nearby shelters, offering special discounts on starter kits for new pet parents. Veterinary clinics might provide free first check-ups or discounted vaccination packages for newly adopted kittens. Groomers could offer complimentary nail trims for young felines. Restaurants and cafes could host pet-friendly patios or donate a portion of sales to local animal rescues. Businesses can also engage their communities by sponsoring a ‘cutest kitten’ photo contest on social media, encouraging customer interaction and raising awareness for animal welfare.
By The Numbers
2 — the number of weeks until when kittens are blind and mostly deaf.
3-4 ounces — the weight of kittens at birth.
3 — the number of weeks it takes for kittens to learn to walk.
2-3 — the number of hours between a kitten’s meals.
70 – the number of cat breeds in the world
4 — the number of months after which a kitten is mature enough to reproduce.
18 — the number of hours a day kittens sleep.
12 — the number of weeks after which kittens can leave their mother.
National Kitten Day FAQs
When is National Kitten Day?
National Kitten Day 2026 falls on Friday, July 10, a perfect day to celebrate the adorable young felines in our lives and advocate for their welfare.
How many kittens are adopted each year?
While exact kitten-specific adoption numbers vary, millions of cats and kittens enter shelters annually, with approximately 3.2 million cats adopted from shelters each year in the U.S. alone.
How many cats are owned in the U.S.?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 45.3 million U.S. households own at least one cat, making them one of the most popular pets in the country.
What is the difference between a kitten and a cat?
Generally, a kitten is a young domestic cat, typically under one year old. They are characterized by their small size, developing senses, and high energy levels, requiring specialized care and nutrition.
National Kitten Day Activities
Adopt a kitten! (or foster if you can't adopt)
If you cant adopt a kitten and commit to being a kitty parent for a furry pal you can also foster kittens. Feral kittens need human socialization to be adopted out, and staying with a cuddly human is much more fun than staying at a pound before they find their 'forever home'. So if you can't adopt fully, help out in the adoption process, and maybe a kitten will end up staying with you in the process ;-)
Volunteer to help kittens at the ASPCA
The ASPCA always needs help socializing feral kittens! Human contact is great for the kittens and makes them adoptable, since they wont be afraid of humans. Besides the benefit to the kitten, playing with kittens is also fun and good for you too, and besides, you'll feel great volunteering too!
Make plans to host an Uber kitten delivery if available in your area
Make sure your boss/significant other is ok with kittens arriving right to your doorstep, because Uber delivers adoptable kittens once a year. Not only will you have a blast, but one might just end up staying with you. Plus the $30 “snuggle fee” actually goes to local shelters, doing good, while feeling good, thats the best way to do it!
5 Facts About Kittens Every Cat Lover Should Know
Fleas are a real threat
Kittens are especially vulnerable to fleas and can develop diseases.
They need help
They can’t go to the bathroom on their own.
Newborn kittens purr
Kittens start purring right away after being born.
All kittens are born with blue eyes
As they grow, their eye color changes.
It’s all in the whiskers
A kitten’s whiskers are as long as its body width.
Why We Love National Kitten Day
Checking out kitten photos is actually good for your mental health
If you love kittens as much as the next person, chances are you’ve snuck in a few peeks at kitten photos throughout your day. Research shows that people who take short breaks to look at cute animals are more productive throughout the day. So go ahead look at those photos of kittens today!
Adopting a cat or kitten is good for your health
Besides looking at photos of kittens, having kittens and cats around is good for your health! Having a cat around can risk of cardiovascular disease, reduced risk of heart attack, reduced blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduces stress, improved mood… need we go on?
Kittens are great for children!
Having children grow up with cats can reduce the risk of developing allergies and asthma later in life. Besides teaching them how to care for another creature, it encourages empathy, and can aide in learning and the development of a socially rounded and well adjusted person.
Social Media Tips for National Kitten Day
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