5 Tips for Apartment-Living with Pets

5 Tips for Apartment-Living with Pets

When you are a pet-owner, you want find an apartment community that understands that your pets are like family. If you are currently apartment-hunting with a pet or thinking about getting one and need some advice on how to make it as comfortable and hassle-free as possible, we’ve got you covered.

Apartment-living can mean small spaces that don’t always come with a backyard but that doesn’t mean that your big dog needs to feel cramped and uncomfortable. You can create a welcoming space for your pet by having a bed with blankets and pillows,  accessible food and water bowls and maybe even toys just to spoil your furry baby.

If you do decide to place some toys in your pet’s designated space, make sure you chose safe natural toys that won’t cause harm. Some toys may require you to supervise your pet at all times. This will help ensure that your pet doesn’t suffer from familiar hazards of choking and stomach obstruction from part of the toy.

Here are some more tips on how to make the most of your experience of apartment-living with pets.

1. The Devil is in the Details

Although most apartment communities have similar pet-policies that don’t tend to deviate from each other too much – it is still very important to thoroughly review the fine print.  It is typical to be charged a pet deposit and/or monthly maintenance fees.  However, some apartments might charge additional fees or just have unreasonably high monthly maintenance fees that you might not have factored into your budget expenses.

2. Better Safe than Sorry

You would like to believe that your pet is infallible but even the best- trained of them are not perfect. Getting Renter’s insurance will help you out financially if any damage happens. It probably is required by your apartment community but in the event that it isn’t, it is a good idea to have it anyway. It will cover more than just pet damage so well worth the spend.

3. Pet-Proof with Pet-Friendly Furniture

You love your pet like family but admit it – they sometimes get in a destructive mood. To avoid any damage to your beautiful apartment home, make sure to have pet friendly furniture and to install pet-guards and block entrances to areas with expensive décor or furniture that you would hate to see damaged.

Slipcovers go a long way to protect furniture, so does treating all your upholstery with a stain-resistant solution. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy then maybe opt for leather upholstery which won’t get scratched up easily and when it does it might be possible to buff out.  Leather is also a good choice for a pet-friendly home because fur doesn’t cling to it.

4. Silence is Golden

While it’s difficult to control your pet’s level of noise, especially dogs, it’s useful to train your pet to keep noise at minimum. Introduce your dogs to neighbors and other pets while you are out on walks so they become familiar with being around other people and pets. One of the biggest challenges for pet-owners in apartment communities are the complaints from neighbors so you will have to make an effort to train your dog to keep quiet. Professional training might have to be an option if you are at a loss on how to train.

5. Exercise your Pet

Pets can get restless in confined spaces and minimal activity so other than proper home or professional pet-training, the best way to keep your furry baby happy, healthy and at a lower noise level is to give them plenty of exercise! When looking for an apartment community, make sure to choose one that offers outdoor pet-friendly amenities, has easy access to parks and trails. The amount of exercise will differ from one pet type to another but always make time to take them out for a walk or throw toys around. If your schedule doesn’t allow for this, you might want to consider doggy day care.  Not only will it keep your dog active and entertained, it’s also a great way for your pet to socialize with others.