Bored Panda reached out to animal behaviorist Anastasiia Kramarenko to learn more about common issues that adopted animals deal with and how to overcome them.

If you are thinking about adoption, there are many things that you might want to consider beforehand, like the age of the pet, potential health issues or character issues, the cost of having a pet, and such. So let’s say you already decided on all that, and want to prepare further.

In order to minimize the stress level for you and the animal, we asked Anastasiia to share what are some common behavioral challenges that adopted pets might face, and how adopters can prepare to address these challenges effectively. Anastasiia responded: “There isn't a typical list of behavioral issues for animals in shelters. It depends on their past experiences: where they lived, the conditions, interactions, and genetics. Some can be very friendly and people-oriented, while others can be extremely fearful, avoiding human contact altogether.”

Anastasiia continued: “I recommend visiting the shelter multiple times to get to know your future pet. Spend time together and take walks, making it less stressful for the animal and you. It's also a good idea to learn from shelter staff about the specific behavioral traits the animal exhibits and its health status. If the shelter workers know, you might ask about the animal's life history and the circumstances that led it to the shelter. This information could be crucial in understanding potential issues and formulating strategies to address them.

The preparation process is similar to preparing for a non-shelter animal. This involves setting up resting spots for dogs providing treats, bowls, shampoo, toys, etc. For cats, you'd add equipment that allows them to climb to heights, like special structures or shelves. It's also advisable to have multiple litter boxes in different locations for cats to understand their preferences and prevent litter box issues.

If this is your first dog, I'd suggest seeking consultation with an animal behavior specialist before bringing the pet home. Alternatively, find a specialist you trust so that you can turn to them if needed.”

Adopting a pet can be a wonderful experience, but it also comes with its share of adjustments. We asked Anastasiia to provide insights into the typical adjustment period for newly adopted pets and offer tips for helping them settle into their new homes.

“Animals find it challenging to adapt to changes in their living environment, especially if they have had traumatic experiences. On average, the adaptation period takes around two weeks. So, during the initial period, try to be kind and avoid leaving your pet alone. Chewing or licking can help animals calm down. Using lick mats, where you can spread pâté or yogurt, can be helpful. Also, consider giving dogs chew toys, like bully sticks or dried joints. Learn to read the body language of animals so you can track and understand their current feelings. Then, you can figure out what they enjoy more or less. Some animals love attention and respond well to talking and petting. In contrast, others might prefer not to be disturbed during the adaptation period, allowing them to get used to the new environment at their own pace.

Paying attention to your readiness for the new addition to your home is essential. The initial period can be psychologically demanding and require patience. Surround yourself with support and have someone to be with your pet while you take breaks. Make sure to prepare your living space by hiding cords and anything else valuable, as sometimes a pet still learning household rules might accidentally knock something over or chew on things,” advised Anastasiia.

Every pet has a unique background and personality as Anastasiia already discussed a bit above. We were wondering how adopters can assess a pet's behavior and temperament during their initial interactions at the shelter or rescue to ensure a good match for their lifestyle and expectations. Anastasiia shared: “All dogs are unique and have distinct personalities regardless of their breed. It's essential to consider your readiness and experience in living with animals and your knowledge. Suppose you realize you're uncertain about taking responsibility for a particular animal, especially if it requires significant behavior adjustments. You may lack the knowledge or financial means for regular work with a specialist. In that case, it's better to think carefully about whether you can provide a happy life for that animal.

Regarding a pet's activity and energy levels, I would again advise visiting your future companion multiple times. This will help you understand the dog or cat's physical and mental exercise requirements and prepare accordingly. Don't hesitate to ask shelter staff questions about the specific dog. If the shelter is outside the city, and you live in an urban environment, inquire about how the dog behaves in a city setting. Cities can be filled with various triggers, and some dogs may find it challenging to adapt to such an environment, while others may never fully adjust.

Observe how the dog's attitude towards you changes during your visits to the shelter. Many dogs may initially approach a new person with caution but can gradually become more comfortable with them. If this doesn't happen, it might require several visits to understand how long the dog needs to adapt to something new. Based on this, you can decide whether you are ready to work with such an animal.”

Many adopted pets may have experienced trauma or neglect before finding their forever homes. We wanted to know if there are some strategies adopters can employ to help these pets overcome their past and build a trusting relationship.

“This way requires respect, patience, and understanding towards the animal. Building trust takes gradual steps. Pet owners need to demonstrate stability and predictability. It's essential to recognize that trauma often involves a loss of control and an intense fear for one's health and life. Therefore, creating a safe environment for the animals is crucial, starting with initially confining them to one room of the house. Then, introduce the animal to one person, for example, whom the animal can become accustomed to and begin to trust. Later, continue this introduction process with other family members. Safety starts at home, so initially, focus on that.

One common mistake is the belief that "I adopted a shelter animal, so it should be grateful, obedient, and adore me." However, animals don't comprehend such complex concepts, and they will behave according to their previous experiences. If their experience tells them that humans are dangerous creatures to be avoided, they will act accordingly,” wrote Anastasiia.

And lastly, adopted pets often exhibit varying degrees of separation anxiety. We asked Anastasiia to share what are some effective training methods or techniques that can help ease separation anxiety in newly adopted dogs or cats.

“Acclimation can take months and, in some cases, even years. Generally, separation anxiety can manifest in various ways: pacing, barking, indoor accidents, and destructive behavior like chewing furniture or clothing.

Training an animal to be comfortable with being alone should be done gradually, starting with just a few minutes. During this training, you shouldn't leave the animal alone for longer than it can tolerate calmly. So, if you need to go for an extended period, consider contacting pet sitters, friends, or family members who can be with the animal while you're away,” shared Anastasiia.