In the context of BDSM, a "kitten" is typically used to describe a specific type of submissive role within the larger category of pet play. Pet play is a form of role-playing where participants assume the roles of animals and their caretakers. As a kitten, the person mimics feline behaviors like purring, playfulness, and sometimes aloofness. The dominant partner in this scenario is called the "Owner" or "Master/Mistress."