Tight Quarters: Successfully Living in an Apartment With a Pet

There’s a lot to love about living in a small space…but what about sharing an apartment with a pet? While not the perfect environment for some breeds, apartments can be a wonderful fit for most pets. With preparation and organization, the team at Schertz Animal Hospital is confident that you and your pet can live happily ever after in a small space.

Roll Out the Welcome Mat

If you have a pet and are looking to downsize or you currently live in an apartment and want to adopt a pet, you must consult with your landlord before doing anything. Many pets are surrendered every year because of changes in a living situation, making the transparency of your wishes vital to a pet’s future.

Alignment

Living in an apartment with a pet doesn’t have to be complicated. However, choosing the right breed for the environment plays a big role in your success. For example, there’s evidence that certain dog breeds thrive in small spaces. Similarly, a spayed or neutered pet with a decreased instinct to roam may adapt more easily to a smaller home.

You should also consider what you can realistically offer a young pet or an aging senior companion. All animals have specific needs, and living in an apartment requires you to assess the full range of your responsibilities. A rough and tumble kitten or puppy may present surprising challenges versus a more mellow adult or senior pet.

Sweet, Fresh Air

Most apartments do not have an outside area for your pet to roam about unaccompanied. That means you’re responsible for exercising your pet and providing opportunities to socialize. Of course, playing outside together is critical to your pet’s physical health, but mental stimulation is also key to overall wellness.

Tips for Living in an Apartment with a Pet

Here are some other tips for living in an apartment with a pet:

• Try to spend a minimum of 30 minutes outside every day.
• Some training may be required to minimize barking, whining, soiling, and other behaviors marked by anxiety.
• Consider the benefits of crate training your feline companion.
• Provide fun, stimulating toys for your pet to play with when you’re gone.
• Keep the litter box immaculate.
• Arrange for someone to relieve your dog if you’re unable to return home on time.

Your pet’s safety is also a top concern. Watch out for the following hazards:

• Balconies or terraces
• Screened windows above the first floor
• Garden beds and landscaping with toxic plants, fertilizer, or insecticides

Sharing an apartment with a pet is a worthwhile endeavor and certainly makes any place feel more like home. Please contact us if any issues arise. The team at Schertz Animal Hospital is always here for you and your pet!