You’ll be surprised what comes along with owning a pet in pet friendly apartments — aside from pet bills, toys, food, etc. There are actually quite a few things to think about before getting a pet, especially if you’re living with someone else. You must take into consideration the preferences of your roommates to ensure a pleasant living situation during the entire lease of your 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.
Here are just a few things to think over when living with roommates and hoping to add a furry friend to the bunch:
1. Are you up for the job?
The first thing you need to determine when it comes to getting a pet for your pet friendly apartments is whether or not you’re up for the job. You need to be 100% sure that you can take care of your pet before getting one. You’ll need to make sure you can pay for vet bills, pet supplies (food, bowls, beds, cages, etc.) and have ample time to care for your pet if they need to be taken out. If you’re living in 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, make sure your roommates are cool with you having a pet or possibly pet sitting from time to time. (You never know when you might need some help!) Again, think of everything that comes with having a pet and make 100% sure that you’ll be able to care for one in your pet friendly apartments.
2. Understand all allergies.
People can be allergic to almost everything under the sun. Whether it be peanuts, pollen, dust, shellfish or even cat fur, there’s a chance your roommate could be allergic to the animal you’re thinking about bringing into your pet friendly apartments. Ask your roommate if they’re allergic to anything that may liken with a pet. If one of your roommates is allergic to fur, owning a cat or dog is not the best option for your pet friendly apartments. They’ll be miserable. Instead, opt out for a a scaly friend like an iguana, lizard or a fish.
3. Consider everyone’s schedule.
If you and your roommates decide that you want to get a pet together, consider owning a pet that works with everyone’s schedule. For instance, if both you and your roommate work long hours during the day, a dog probably wouldn’t be a good pet for you in your pet friendly apartments. You wouldn’t want to keep the dog, an animal that needs time outdoors, cooped up inside all day. But let’s say you have opposite schedules that could grant the ability to take care of a dog, we advise getting a smaller, less needy dog (like Boston Terriers or Bulldogs) unlike a more active dog that needs larger living spaces.
Cats are more self-sufficient animals. They would be a good animal to own if you’re not home for long periods of time. Again, a caged pet would be another good option since they don’t require walks or using the bathroom outside. You just need to talk it over with your roommates in your 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, which comes along in the next step.
4. See what everyone prefers.
Before you head out to the pet store to pick out an animal for your pet friendly apartments, don’t forget to discuss with your roommates what they want versus what you want. Don’t surprise your roommate with a dog if they dislike dogs or a fish if they aren’t big fans of swimming things. That’ll only create a tense and uncomfortable living environment, which isn’t fun for anyone. It’s common courtesy to find a comprise, especially if you’re living with someone else in 2 or 3 bedroom apartments. So before deciding ahead of time what pet you’d like living in your 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, ask your roommates what pet the might have in mind, if any. If you disagree, discuss a compromise or consider waiting on getting a pet until you can live in a pet friendly apartment on your own.
5. Multiple pets?
We know, we know…dogs, hedgehogs, birds and fish are all adorable pets and after living with one for awhile, you may decide to get another pet in your pet friendly apartments. Or from the beginning, you and your roommate may decide your 2 bedroom apartments offer enough room for both a cat and a dog. If this is the case, you may want to do a little research on what breed of animal you want to bring into the pet friendly apartments. For instance, a certain breed of cat may never get along with a certain type of dog and you’d hate for constant fighting that might result in injuries. Take the time to learn which dogs work well with other dogs, which cats do well with other cats or which cats and dogs get along with each other.
Another tip for pet friendly apartment dwellers bringing two animals into the mix, starting pets off when they’re very young will have them getting along more easily. Aim to bring up puppies, gerbils, birds and/or kittens together in the household so they get along from the get-go. Again, just be prepared for training and patience as the two or three animals learn to live with each other!
Before jumping in and getting a dog, a hamster, a bird or whatever animal you’re dreaming of owning in a pet friendly apartment, it wouldn’t hurt to ask your roommates what they think beforehand and make sure you’re ready for the responsibility. Not only will it bring peaceful living into your 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with your roommates, but your animal will enjoy a stress-free environment as well.
What type of pet do you want in your apartments? Or what type of pet do you already have in your apartments? Tell us your secrets for caring for it in the comments below!
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