Living in an apartment doesn’t mean you have to give up on your love of animals! While you may not have a big backyard or rural property, there are still many pets who would love to share your home — you just need to do a little more homework, planning and preparation. The key is to find the right type of pet for your space, and ensure they have plenty of opportunity for exercise, stimulation and attention.
Pets that suit living in apartments
Dog breeds best suited to apartment living
The general rule when it comes to choosing a dog for apartment living isn’t about the breed, it’s about the dog’s individual temperament. A large, laid-back dog can thrive in a smaller space, while a small, highly active breed might struggle. A calm, or older dog will generally adapt to apartment living far more easily than an anxious or high-energy one, regardless of breed.
Before bringing a dog home, it’s worth thinking practically about how much space they’ll have to move around, which areas they can access, and whether the building suits a dog day-to-day. Lift access, communal outdoor areas, and proximity to parks all make a real difference to how workable apartment life is for both of you.
Cats and apartment life
Cats can be perfect for apartments, as they will happily sprawl in almost any spot in your home. The RSPCA actually recommends that our loveable felines live an indoor lifestyle to protect them from catching and transmitting diseases and from getting into a fight with another neighbourhood cat. Keeping your cat indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure (which can be great if you have a small terrace or balcony!) also keeps our native wildlife safe from cats on the hunt.
Cats are also very clean animals and can easily be trained to use a litter tray. Remember to clean the litter every day, because a cat will not toilet in an unclean tray, and to avoid unwanted smells in a smaller space.
Consider an apartment rabbit or guinea pigs
If you have a compact apartment with little to no outdoor space, rabbits and guinea pigs can thrive in an apartment setting.
Not only can they be toilet trained, do tricks and each have their own wonderful personality, but they are also quiet and meticulously clean, making them the perfect housemate! Plus, living indoors protects them from extreme weather, predators and diseases.
However, guinea pigs and rabbits should not be kept together as these two species have different needs and do not make compatible companions.
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