Pets are awesome. They’re a friend who’s there for us when we need them. The humble joy that they get from simply being a part of your world makes you feel like you just might be a great person after all. And when they’re around, there’s never a dull moment. Pets can also be extremely helpful for those experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. But it goes without saying that a pet, any pet is a big responsibility. And you need to be honest with yourself about the kind of home that you can provide for them.
If you live in an apartment, you may feel that this precludes you from the benefits of pet ownership, but this needn’t necessarily be the case. It’s just a case of getting it right to ensure that all parties are as happy as possible.
Always, always, always ask your landlord first
If you’re renting your apartment, you may be tempted not to tell the landlord about your new friend. Indeed, if your new pet is a caged rodent or a reptile kept in a tank you may not feel that you need to tell your landlord. However, honesty is always the best policy.
Keep in mind that landlords can throw surprise inspections with as little as 24 hours’ notice and you wouldn’t want to get caught out or have to dash around finding a friend or neighbor to accommodate your pet until the inspection is over.
Submit a letter to your landlord making your case and explaining the precautions that you’ll take to protect their investment and you may be surprised by how amenable they are.
Invest in an air purifier
Whether you’re keeping guinea pigs, inviting a cat into your home or rehoming a dog, you’ll find that some funky odors are bound to encroach on your little urban paradise. As such, you should make sure that your apartment has an air purifier to stop the smell of wet fur after a rainy walk or the cat’s freshly used litter tray from stinking out your diminutive home. Click Here to take a look at some recommended air purifiers to suit your needs. It’s a small investment but you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes.
Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise
Exercise is really important to all animals if they are to stay healthy and happy. And in an apartment, getting them the exercise they need can be a challenge. Dogs will need to be walked regularly and you’ll need to help them establish a regular bathroom routine that keeps your apartment, your building and your neighborhood clean.
For cats, however, this may be more challenging. Since an apartment cat will, by necessity, need to be a house cat, you’ll need to ensure that they have lots of space for jumping, climbing and playing to keep them well exercised. Diet is also especially important for indoor cats.
Make sure your apartment is pet safe
Finally, before bringing your new pet home, you’ll need to make sure that the place is ready for them. As well as ensuring that valuables are kept out of chewing range and that plants and flowers dangerous to pets are removed, you’ll also need to check for gaps behind appliances like the refrigerator or washing machine where a hapless pet can get stuck. It might also be a good idea to spray citrus oil on any furniture or other surfaces that you don’t want to be damaged by curious claws.
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