“Adopting from a good shelter or rescue is a great way to find a new pet. Many pets end up in shelters through no fault of their own and can be wonderful pets,” animal behavior expert Zazie Todd told Bored Panda in a recent interview, adding that good shelters and rescues tend to offer behavioral advice if needed, and might even take the pet back if things don't work out for some reason.

“Adopting also means that you are not supporting puppy or kitten mills, which sometimes have very poor conditions. Research shows that puppies who originate from puppy mills are more likely to have some behavior issues than if they came from a responsible breeder,” she added.

“If you decide to get a puppy from a breeder, check them out very carefully and try to see the puppy with the mom so that you know they are being raised in good conditions. A good breeder will ask you lots of questions to make sure you are a good fit for one of their pets, and they will also tell you what they are doing to socialize their puppies or kittens. If somewhere that calls itself a rescue seems to always have a good supply of puppies of many different breeds, ask yourself if they are really a rescue.”

The expert pointed out that when bringing home a new adult dog, one shouldn’t assume that they have been house trained, so it’s better to set them up in an area where it will be easy to clean up any messes.

“The way to house train them is to take them outside often enough that they do all of their toileting outside, and reward them with treats and happy talk when they pee or poop outside. If they go inside the house, don't tell them off; just clean it up using an enzyme cleaner, and make a note to take them outside more often in the future,” she suggested.

Whether it’s an adult dog, a tiny kitten, or some other pet completely, bringing it to a new home is a big adjustment, which is why it might take a little while for a new pet to settle in. “We know it's their forever home, but they don't know it yet—that takes time,” Todd pointed out.

“Because this is a stressful time for any new pet, it helps to make things as low-key as possible. Don't invite family and friends over to meet the new pet until they've had some time to settle in. Have a routine and try to stick to it over those first few days and weeks. For cats, it's important to have one room set up with everything they need, and wait until they are settled and comfortable in that room before giving them access to the rest of the house.”

When it comes to cats, having the forever home set up right from the feline’s perspective gives them more opportunities to engage in normal cat behavior and to be themselves. “If the home environment isn’t right, they may get bored and stressed, and in turn this can lead to behavior issues,” the author of numerous books on animal behavior pointed out.

“Cats like their home to have hiding spaces and places high up where they can perch. They need to have sturdy, tall (or long) scratching posts. They also need you to put some thought into where you put their resources, like the litter box and their food, and this is especially important if you have more than one cat because cats don’t really like to share.”

According to the expert, other factors that can significantly influence cat behavior in their new home are their personality and the way you as the owner interact with them.

“Every cat has their own individual personality; some cats are bold and friendly, whereas others are more shy. It's important to know the personality of your cat,” Zazie Todd told Bored Panda. “If they are shy, give them space and help them feel safe. If they are a cat who loves lap time, make sure they have opportunities to sit on your lap. Some cats prefer to be near you instead but not cuddled up and that’s okay too.

“The way you interact with your cat also affects their behavior. Give your cat choices whenever you can, such as the choice of whether or not to be petted, and whether or not to come out from the cat condo to meet a new person in your home.

“Play is also important to cats, so if you engage in interactive play with them with a wand toy every day, it helps them to engage in normal feline behavior—in this case, predatory behavior as they chase the toy—and that’s great fun as well as being good for them.”

It’s important to note, though, that for cat owners, not everything about the newest addition to the family depends on the environment or the owner’s personal input. That’s because many of the feline’s character traits depend on their early experiences as kittens, as they have a sensitive period for socialization between two and seven weeks.

“If kittens have positive experiences with multiple people during this time, they are more likely to grow up to be friendly towards different people and more confident with people as adults,” Todd explained.

“Genetics also plays a role, of course. But later experiences also help to shape your cat’s character. For example, if stressful things happen then they may become nervous or fearful, so try to protect them from stressful events if possible,” she added.

Those who’ve never owned a feline before might be taken by surprise by some of their behavior; their ability to sleep in the weirdest positions, for instance, or the inexplicable draw to cardboard boxes. Some of that relates to the fact that cats are both the predator and the prey at once. “That’s why cats like to have somewhere safe where they can hide, sleep, or just chill out. Cardboard boxes are often the perfect size to be somewhere that the cat feels safe,” Todd explained.

“Cats also like to be warm and that explains some of the other places they pick, such as in a cozy pile of laundry in the washing basket or in the linen cupboard,” she added. “Some cats are also very curious and exploratory and they just like to see what’s there, so they will go exploring in all the nooks and crannies of your home.”

“Learn all you can about cat behavior so that you understand your cat better,” the animal behaviorist suggested to anyone who’s looking to bring a feline into the family. “Take a look around your home and see what you can do to set it up for your kitty so that it’s even better (for example, creating a hiding place in every room, getting good scratching posts, making sure to scoop the litter at least once a day). And think about giving your cat positive experiences, such as play time and companionship with you.

“Ensuring your cat has the best life is not just about providing the minimum of food and water and a roof over their head, but also making sure they have plenty of positive experiences and the opportunity to do normal cat things.”

Whether it’s a cat, a dog, or any other animal you’re looking to adopt, it’s important to keep in mind that a pet is a responsibility that requires commitment; but if you’re ready for such a commitment, we can’t wait to see the picture of your lovely critter on one of our lists of adorable adopted pets of the month in the future. (As for the previous lists, you can find a couple of them here, here, and here.)