How to Live in an Apartment with Pets
Since the advent of urbanization, many of us have found ourselves huddled together in cities. In these cities, there’s an apartment building being erected on every corner and concrete replaces what used to be good ole dirt and grass. Huffington Post contributor Peter Diamandis claims that more than two-thirds of the world’s population will be settled in urban areas by 2050. Our pets are missing out on what should be a walk out the back door to run around, sniff dirt, climb a tree, chase bugs and do their business. But every problem has a solution. If you and your furry buddy find yourselves stuck in a concrete jungle, there are measures to take to ensure you have the most comfortable life together.
1. Consider Your Entrance
As a pet mom or dad, you should seek convenience by all means to minimize discomfort for you, your pets and your neighbors. Avoiding a shared entrance apartment building and opting for a personal entrance building can prevent run-ins. Marionette style apartments are typically found in rural areas, but they’re not completely elusive in large cities. Shared entrances may mean parking, entering the building to walk to the end of a long hallway where you wait for an elevator to take you up to the 7th floor.
During this multi-step process, you may encounter other people and their pets as well. If your otherwise highly esteemed pooch has been deemed a problem pet once or twice in the past, run-ins might be inevitable. It’s much safer to enter your home from the outside without being constricted to inescapable hallways and elevators.
If you’re still interested in a shared entrance apartment building and aren’t sure if your pet would thrive, consider your pet’s energy level, personality, size and breed.
2. Frequent the Greenways
Apartments just aren’t the ideal environment for pets to be animals and explore. Pets that don’t have exploration space can become destructive.
Greenways can be the difference between frustration and ease for pets and pet lovers. They allow pets to be active and do what animals love to do: have fun in nature. Some apartments are surrounded by more unpaved areas and walking trails than others. If you live in a condensed urban area with little undeveloped land, the good news is that there’s usually a greenway a stone’s throw away.
They’re often more convenient than state parks since they are designed to navigate around and throughout the entire city so that you’re never too far from one. These natural settings include miles and miles of natural panoramas filled with trees, squirrels, streams and more. They’re perfect places where you and your pets can hike, stroll or jog.
Just remember to always take precaution. Many greenways are woodsy, and you can’t always predict what creatures you may encounter, especially during the warm months.
Additionally, most greenways require pets to be leashed or only off leash when in the bark park, a designated areas just for dogs.
3. Happy Pets Have Something to Look Forward To
With our harried lifestyles, routines can sometimes be difficult to follow. However, routine does not mean you need a to-do-list with numerous insignificant tasks. According to Elizabeth Grace Saunders of the Huffington Post, a twenty to thirty minute walk and a ten minute training session go a long way. Training can be fun for your pet while walking can enforce leadership and provide a short escape from a busy lifestyle.
Don’t worry about having a beautiful scenic view during every walk; It’s not feasible to commute to a greenway every single day on a busy schedule. Your pet will still love you for it.
Final Thoughts
The above tips can make apartment living for you and your pet easy and fun. Even more, they promote cleanliness. Your pets will have less accidents for you to clean up, and they’ll be less destructive.
Furthermore, although many of us are dog lovers, the above tips are not limited to man’s (or woman’s) best friend. Cats and other animal species love the outside, convenience, safety and routine.
