Each year, thousands of puppies and kittens are given as gifts to children and adults. So we asked three experts for tips to smooth the transition of a new pet into a family.

Kim Thornton of Lake Forest, Calif., has written numerous books on dog and cat care, including "Starting Out Right With Your New Cat" and "The 'I Have a Life' Dog Owner's Guide: All You Need to Be a Fabulous Puppy Parent."

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All new pets are stressed. They're in a strange place, with people and often other animals they don't know. Try to make them feel safe.

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Amy Robinson of Vero Beach, Fla., is a dog trainer who specializes in children/dog relationships. Her DVD "Drool School" is a kid-friendly video that explains dog training to kids as young as preschool age. And Dr. Melinda Merck is the former owner of the Cat Clinic of Roswell and a forensic veterinarian.

Getting a new pet settled

• All new pets are stressed. They're in a strange place, with people and often other animals they don't know. Try to make them feel safe.

• Kittens and puppies are babies, and like all babies, they need a lot of sleep. Make sure they get plenty of rest. A half-hour of romping might mean a two-hour nap is needed.

• Take all new pets to your vet within a week for a checkup and to start their puppy or kitten shots.

• Acclimate new pets slowly. Try keeping them in one room for the first few days, then slowly widen the areas they can explore.

• Pet-proof your house. Pick up string, yarn, small toys, rubber bands and anything else an inquisitive pet might be tempted to eat. Also, invest in the tools to make your home pet friendly. Make sure the plants in your home aren't toxic (check online at www.aspca.org/toxicplants).

• Supervise children and pets. Young children should never be left alone with pets. Teach children the correct way to hold a pet, to stroke them (most animals prefer under the chin, the chest or shoulders, but not the top of the head) and to feed them. Don't let children tease, hit or annoy pets, especially when they are eating.

• If you want your child to form a close bond with his new pet, let him sleep with it. Just be sure your child knows to take a dog out right away when they get up or let a cat out to use the litter box.

• Grooming is a great way to bond with a pet, as well as a good way to spot problems early on. Start a grooming program.

• Give pets a safe place that's all their own. For dogs, it can be a crate. For cats, it can be a box, a closet or anywhere they can get away if everything becomes overwhelming.

• Many behavior problems can be prevented by early spaying and neutering. Ask the vet when you can get it done, then do it.

FOR DOGS

• Quickly establish a routine for house-training. Most dogs need to go out immediately after getting up, within 10 to 20 minutes after eating and often after playing. Puppies need to go much more often than adult dogs.

• If there's already a dog in your household, it's best to introduce the new dog on neutral territory. Take the new dog up the street, then have someone bring your dog out to meet him. Let them greet, then walk together for a short time before going home together.

• Socialize your new puppy. Set up pleasant situations where it can meet new people and other dogs, like going to the dog park or inviting friends over. Do this as they grow so they will be outgoing and confident, not afraid of strangers.

• Many dogs have separation anxiety. Teach them it's OK to have some downtime. Put them in their crate a half-hour before you leave or for a 30-minute stretch while you're home — and ignore them. They need to learn they'll be all right alone.

FOR CATS

• Start a routine right away. Show them the litter box. Feed them at regular times.

• Kittens need canned food as well as dry. Dry food often is too hard for their small teeth, and they don't get enough nutrition.

• Clean the litter box daily or more often. Many cats won't use a soiled box.

• Cats are climbers. Put fragile items up high or, better yet, behind glass or away.

• If you already have other cats in the home, use baby gates or screen doors to let them see and smell each other, but keep them apart. Move slowly with introductions. There's nothing wrong with taking days or even weeks to let pets get familiar before allowing them to mix.