The “Kitten Blues” Are Real — And You’re Not Alone
By Totally Feline™️
You just adopted or rescued your first cat or kitten. You brought them home expecting fireworks. Excitement. Instant bonding. That magical moment you see in adoption videos.
But instead… you feel overwhelmed.
There’s a rush of emotions you didn’t expect. Doubt creeps in.
Did I do the right thing?Should I surrender this rescue kitten?Why don’t I feel as happy as I thought I would?
If this sounds familiar, please pause and take a breath.
You may be experiencing what many call the “Kitten Blues” — very similar to the well-known “Puppy Blues.” And yes, it’s real.
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Why Am I Feeling This Way?
The average new kitten parent experiences some level of emotional overwhelm. Bringing home a new animal is a major life transition. Your routines shift overnight. Your quiet home suddenly has nighttime zoomies. Your furniture becomes a jungle gym. Your sleep schedule changes.
And kittens? They are adorable… and intense.
They require kitten-proofing, supervision, structured play, socialization, and guidance through adolescence — which, believe it or not, can feel even more demanding than the tiny baby stage. Adolescents explore everything. Climb everything. Test boundaries. Push limits.
You may feel:
Have you caught yourself thinking, “Why am I complaining?” “This is just a cat.”Or maybe, “if I reach out for help people will think I am not in control of the situation.”“
Let me gently reassure you: the average new cat parent has thought these thoughts. After all we are human.
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The Guilt No One Talks About
Working in the animal industry — and through personal experience — I’ve spoken with countless new cat parents during consultations. At Totally Feline™️, every cat has brought a different emotional journey. Some moments were filled with joy. Others were filled with uncertainty and overwhelm.
Both can exist at the same time.
I have also seen new adopters return cats to shelters. Often, they are navigating other life-changing events: a move, a new job, illness, financial strain, relationship changes. The new adoption simply becomes the tipping point.
Unfortunately, some voices in the industry respond with quiet judgment:“ Why did they adopt if they were going to return the cat?”
But what if instead we asked:What support did they need?What emotions were they carrying?
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Adjustment Is a Process -For Both of You
Your kitten is adjusting to a brand-new world — new smells, new sounds, new people. At the same time, you are adjusting to a brand-new responsibility.
You are learning each other.
The nighttime zoomies settle.The chaos becomes routine.The uncertainty softens.
And slowly — sometimes quietly — attachment grows.
It may not feel like fireworks in the beginning. Sometimes it feels like steady embers warming over time.
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Will It Pass?
In most cases, yes.
It may not feel like it in the moment. The first few days or weeks can feel heavy. But as structure forms and confidence builds, joy often follows.
One day you may look at your once-overwhelming little kitten and think,“I can't imagine life without you.”“
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Gentle Questions to Reflect On:
At Totally Feline™️, we believe compassionate care applies to humans, too. Supporting animals means supporting the people who love them.
If you are feeling the Kitten Blues, you are not broken. You are not selfish. You are not failing.
You are adjusting.
And that is something we can walk through together.
www.totallyfeline.com