June is Adopt a Cat Month and, from a blog writing perspective, my favorite month because I get to write about cats for four consecutive weeks!

Today, I’m going to start at the beginning and talk about kittens. That’s because Adopt a Cat Month also coincides with peak kitten season — the time of year when shelters, rescues and veterinary teams see more kittens needing care.

Why are Kittens Seasonal?

The reproductive cycle of cats varies seasonally. As days lengthen, female cats “go into heat.” Since kitten gestation is about two months, cats that breed in March start having kittens in May.

This is likely an adaptive process. Kittens born during warmer weather are more likely to survive than kittens born in the winter, when these delicate creatures would be more susceptible to frigid weather.

World of the Kitten

Our friends at Hill’s Pet Nutrition have just released their 2026 World of the Kitten Report.

This user-friendly report is intended for veterinary staff, kitten caregivers and anyone who is interested in learning more about kittens. The report is an invaluable resource that answers important questions about kittens, including:

When does my kitten become a cat? Answer: At one year of age.

How can I prepare my kitten for a visit to the veterinarian? Answer: Start early — even before your kitten meets their veterinarian. Teach them their carrier is a comfortable place, rather than an unfamiliar cage.

What social skills does my kitten need? Answer: Your kitten needs to learn how to interact with other pets in the household and interact safely with children.

The World of the Kitten Report helps answer all these questions and more. Even better, it is a free download.

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Kitten Resources

AMC has kitten resources as well. If your children are interested in learning more about kittens, we have Children’s Resources: All About Kittens, which includes kitten-focused activities for children of all ages.

If you are lucky enough to get a kitten this kitten season, prior blogposts include a set of Kitten Questions and tips to Raise a Happy, Healthy Kitten in 4 Easy Steps.

Even more fun is hosting a mother cat (also known as a queen) and her kittens, which I describe in What to Expect When You’re Expecting Kittens.

Don’t forget to check my blogpost next week for tips on how to feed cats that live in a multi-cat household.