Living in an apartment can be limiting in many ways. For one, you can’t have as many people over as you’d like, and you may not always be able to get the exact pet you want. Luckily, many apartments allow both dogs and cats, as long as you pay pet rent and a non-refundable pet deposit. That being said, living in an apartment with a pet comes with a different set of challenges because you’re in a smaller, confined space without easy access to a yard.
Don’t worry; you can still own a pet in an apartment and ensure they have a happy, healthy life. Here are tips for owning a pet in an apartment.
Choose the Right Pet
You might not want to get a dog in a small studio apartment because dogs enjoy running around and finding creative ways to burn their energy. Cats, however, make great apartment pets because they’re calmer and can live in more confined spaces. If you have a one or two-bedroom apartment, your home might be better suited for a dog, but you should always choose the right pet based on whether or not the pet you have will be able to be happy and healthy in your home.
When selecting a dog breed, you should always choose one that matches your lifestyle. Some breeds do better with a single owner, while others thrive in a family environment. Additionally, large dogs might not be suited to one-bedroom apartments, so you might need to get a medium or small dog.
You should also choose the right pet based on your lifestyle. Having a dog that requires near-constant attention might not be a good fit for you if you're busy. However, if you enjoy spending time at home, going on walks, and napping, you might love being a dog parent. Remember, dogs need exercise, and you’ll have to walk your pet (or at least take them outside) at least three times a day. Most dogs will need to go out more than that, so plan to spend at least an hour or more every day taking your dog outside.
Remember, you won’t have access to a private lawn where your dog can do his business, so it’s important your pet is always leashed, which means you’ll always need to be with them when they’re outside.
Additionally, dogs are prone to separation anxiety. Of course, cats can also feel anxiety when they miss their owners, but dogs are especially susceptible, especially if you spend most of your time with them. If you’re too busy to take proper care of your dog and spend enough time with them, you’ll be contributing to anxiety, so it’s always important to determine whether or not you can spend enough time with your pet before you get one.
Consider Your Apartment
Having a dog in a top-floor apartment is not ideal because you’ll need to walk up and down the stairs to take them outside. Of course, many pet parents don’t mind doing this because they care about their animals, but it can quickly become exhausting for many. Instead, try to get an apartment on the first floor so walking your dog is more accessible. Owning a pet on the first floor also makes it easier if your pet ever needs to be carried outside or back inside.
Additionally, most complexes that allow pets require you to pay pet rent and a non-refundable deposit.
Give Your Pet Their Own Space
While your pets love you, sometimes they just want to be alone. Setting up a friendly sanctuary for your pet can help them feel safe when you have people over and give them a place to rest during the day. You can set up a sanctuary in any room; just make sure it gives them the feeling of security. If your dog is crate trained, you can leave their crate open all day long with a nice, comfortable bed inside to give them a safe place to nap when company is over.
Build a Routine
If you don’t already have your own routine, you’ll need to build one when you get a pet. Animals are creatures of habit, especially dogs. Once you get your dog into the habit of going potty at the same time every day, changing up their routine can give them anxiety.
Dogs need routines, so it’s essential to establish one, especially when you live in an apartment. You have to establish a routine to take your dog for walks and breaks and feed them every day. Eventually, they’ll adapt, which can help you avoid potty accidents in your home and keep them happy all day long.
Don’t Forget Exercise
When you live in a house with a yard, you can play with your dog outside as much as you want. However, giving your dog adequate exercise when living in an apartment requires more work. You’ll need to exercise your dog for at least a half-hour every day, which means at least a good walk in the morning or evening. Depending on the breed of dog you have, you might need to exercise them more often to help keep them calm during the day.
Exercising your dog can help them avoid getting into trouble, such as chewing things up or constantly begging for your attention. If your dog has anxiety, walking them can also help them stay calm by reducing excess energy.
Don’t Forget About Mental Stimulation
Walks offer great physical exercise, but they'll also need mental stimulation if you want to have a well-behaved, calm, and intelligent pet. Some experts argue that mental stimulation is more tiring for dogs than actual physical exercise because thinking takes more out of them.
You can keep your pet entertained and mentally stimulated in a number of ways, including walks. If your dog stops to sniff an area, let them. Using their sense of smell allows them to start learning about their environment, and learning makes puppies sleepy. Additionally, you can buy many toys, including snuffle mats that let them dig for food.
Your dog also might enjoy treating puzzles in which they must solve the puzzle to be rewarded. At the very least, keeping your dog mentally stimulated can help them stay calm and fall asleep faster at night.
Always Go to the Vet
You should take your dog to the vet every year for their annual check-up to ensure they’re healthy. Visiting the vet also lets you ensure they’re up to date on all of the vaccinations, which your landlord usually requires.
Owning a Pet in an Apartment
Many different types of pets thrive in apartments, including dogs and cats. Their health and wellness depend on your ability to parent them through behavioral training and spending time with them while ensuring they are physically and mentally healthy.
Marné Amoguis
Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.
