Getting a kitten is one of those situations that seems much simpler on paper than it is in real life. Once you've fallen in love with a particular animal, the next thing that comes to mind is getting it to your home. However, not everyone is quite sure what to do when they bring their new pet home for the first time. If you're getting your pet from one of the many kitten shops in Dubai or adopting one of the local kittens, here's what you need to do in order to prepare your home for your new feline companion. Unlike in other countries, the climate, high-rise living, and lifestyle in Dubai mean that there are a few adjustments that must be made before a kitten arrives.

Preparation for the Arrival of Your New Kitten

Food, water, and a nice warm (or cool, depending on the weather) place to sleep are three things that every kitten needs at home. However, in terms of setting up your home, that doesn't mean having tonnes of cat furniture. In fact, it's best to only set aside one specific area in your home for your kitten – one that's far enough away from the main thoroughfare of your home and any loud appliances.

Set up the feeding dishes and cat litter at least a few feet apart from each other, since cats don't like having their food and bathroom areas too close to one another. In addition, if you plan to have the air conditioning on at all times (as is the case with most houses and apartments in Dubai), make sure your kitten's bed isn't placed anywhere near an air vent. This is because kittens can get cold very quickly, especially in the cooler evenings in Dubai.

Kitten-proof Your Home

Any home owned by a kitten or cat owner will tell you that the animal can get into the smallest of things, which is why it's important to kitten-proof your home before bringing your new pet home. Walk around your house at kitten-eye-level and make a list of everything that could potentially harm your new companion.

The most important things to put away or get rid of are any exposed electrical cords, small household items, and balcony access. If you're a frequent user of your balcony, it's best to keep the door shut unless your kitten is old enough to understand the dangers associated with height.

Cords are especially important because kittens are notorious for chewing on them, and if a cord is live, then this can be very dangerous for your pet. As for small objects, kittens can easily swallow these, and while some aren't immediately harmful, others can be potentially deadly. Make sure to put all small items (such as elastic bands, bottle caps, hair bands, etc.) out of your kitten's reach, as they'll inevitably get into the poor thing's mouth.

Cat trees, scratching posts, and safe toys can all be purchased in advance, since your new kitten will require these items to stay amused. Just remember that Kittens Dubai don't like having their scratching post hidden away in a corner – they need the post to be highly visible in their field of view, in which case it's best to put it somewhere that the kitten frequents. This way, the cat has an outlet for its natural scratching instincts.

The Hot Climate of Dubai

Due to the high temperatures (both indoors and outdoors), most cats in Dubai live indoors, which is actually the best option for a number of reasons. The thing about indoor cats is that they require more entertainment than their outdoor counterparts due to the fact that they can't explore nearly as much as they would outside. In order to avoid boredom, which leads to undesirable scratching habits and the destruction of household items; make sure you have toys that the cat can play with every day.

Make sure your cat has a place to watch the outside (a window seat, for instance) so that it has something to do when bored. Try playing with your kitten every day, as this not only entertains the cat but also helps to establish a strong bond between you and your pet. Additionally, make sure you have an established vet that you can go to when necessary.

Let Your Kitten Settle Into Its New Surroundings

While it's important to set up your home for your pet's arrival, it's also important to give the cat time to adjust to its surroundings. A new kitten that has been put into a strange environment can be very intimidated, especially if there are other pets or young children in the house, which is why it's best to only allow the cat to explore one room at a time. Sitting by the kitten allows it to know that you're there if it needs something while also letting it explore what's around it. Although most kittens adjust to their new surroundings within a few days, some can take up to a month or more, so it's important to be patient during this period.

Preparation for a new kitten's arrival is simple, mostly consisting of a few adjustments and a little patience. However, if you're looking for help in finding the right kitten, purchasing supplies or taking your new pet to its first vet appointment, Petholicks is always here and willing to help. All necessary information pertaining to the adoption process can be found here.