Pet ownership isn’t for every apartment or person, but most dog breeds and all house cats can do just fine in an apartment.
Sharing your living space with a pet can be extremely rewarding. For instance, pet ownership can improve life quality and even promote better health.
Nevertheless, responsible ownership requires the acknowledgment of the associated disadvantages and recognizing whether you can overcome them. If you’re thinking of living with your pet, check out this post.
Benefits of Pet Ownership in an Apartment
Exercise
Pet ownership, especially dog, promote an active lifestyle. After all, dogs need exercise to stay healthy and happy. After introducing a canine into your living space, you’ll find yourself walking countless steps each day. Furthermore, you’ll exercise more in your apartment without going outside.
Socializing Opportunities
Pets are an excellent conversation starter and they compel you to get out of your apartment. You can take your dog to a dog park and initiate conversations with other owners. In turn, this will develop friendships. You’ll discover that simply taking your cat or dog to the vet is a chance to get out and meet other owners.
Reduce Anxiety and Stress
When you’re stressed, cuddling or playing with a pet can calm you down. This is because playing with them increases the production of oxytocin-a stress-reducing hormone while decreasing the production of cortisol, which leads to stress. For the same reasons, pet ownership can alleviate anxiety.
Pets May Introduce an Extra Security Level to Your Community
If a prowler notices several animals at the property, he or she may decide to move on to another target. Dogs make considerable noise and are extremely protective of their owners. Consequently, this will discourage somebody from breaking into your apartment.
Remember, dogs tend to bark around strange people and make noises throughout the day. Therefore, anybody lingering around your space may think twice before attempting to get inside.
Disadvantages of Pet Ownership
Property Damage
One of the drawbacks of allowing pets is that they cause damage. If you decide to allow animals, it’s imperative that you indicate the property’s condition carefully when you move in and sign-off on it.
This way, any difference is clear when you move out and can’t be easily disputed if you lose some of your security deposit.
Troublesome to Other Tenants
Other tenants’ pets may disturb and annoy fellow tenants. This can include excess barking and soiling general areas. This may also put the landlord in the position to having to sort such kinds of disputes between renters.
Financial Commitment
Pet ownership isn’t cheap. After all, once you take a pet, you’re adding another family member, and this includes medical care and food. Bear in mind that cats and dogs need spaying, vaccinations, and parasite prevention.
It’s estimated that the financial commitment for a small dog is about $420 annually while a medium dog costs $620. On the other hand, caring for a cat costs approximately $545 a year.
Time Commitment
Pets take time even if you don’t consider owning a pet which you’ll engage with socially. You still need to walk and clean up after a dog while a cat needs its litter box changed and cleaned.
Beyond toileting duties and basic feeding, pets need engagement. For instance, dogs need basic training on obedience so they’ll be well behaved.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to overlook the responsibilities that come with pet ownership, especially if it’s your first time to live with a part in an apartment living. If you’re unsure whether to move in with your pet, this guide will leave you informed.
For more information on apartment living and pets, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a comment.