We love when residents move in to one of our apartment communities and bring their dog or cat (or both) along! Pets are a wonderful company and make life more fun. However, having a pet in an apartment can have more limitations and challenges compared to a house.
To ensure you and your pet enjoy your apartment to its fullest, we’ve put together a guide to help you out. Follow these tips to keep your pet entertained, healthy and happy!
Keeping Your Pet Happy in an Apartment
- Create a space for your pet
While cats are known to lounge just about anywhere, it’s still important to designate a specific spot or area of your apartment to your pet. A nice comfy bed for your dog or cat goes a long way in making them a happier pet. Many owners also choose to practice crating their dogs when they’re not home and at night. This protects your apartment from damage and keeps your dog safe.
If you have a cat, a scratching post or tower is a wise decision. Cats like to sharpen their claws and will do it on just about anything. Your furniture, carpets, and door frames are at risk if you don’t train your cat to use a scratching post.
- House train your pets
This one should go without saying, whether you live in an apartment or a house. Housebreaking your pet is important so your apartment remains damage-free and clean. Keep a litter box in a well-ventilated place that is easily accessible, like the bathroom. If you have a dog, make sure you’re taking them out to use the bathroom regularly. Many owners train their dog to ring a bell or perform some other action to signal that they need to go outside.
When you first bring home your pet, keep a spray bottle handy so you can discipline them for behaving poorly. Over time, a light spray of water should teach your cat or dog not to scratch furniture, the floors, or claw at baseboards.
- Toys and treats are your best friend
Just like people, animals can go stir-crazy without a source of entertainment. If you have to leave your pet to go to work every day, make sure you have enough toys for your cat or dog to play with.
Toys that keep dogs occupied for a while include:
Toys that keep cats occupied for a while include:
Benson’s Pet Center is a local pet store with tons of dog and cat toys for your furry best friend. You can even bring your dog to Benson’s and have them pick out a toy or two themselves!
- Get outside!
While most cats are content remaining inside, dogs love to get outside and run around! Take your dog for a walk at least once a day, but ideally more. If you get tired from your usual loop around the neighborhood, try visiting one of the many parks in Saratoga Springs!
The Saratoga Spa State Park offers endless trails and grassy areas for your dog to enjoy. It remains open year-round so it’s a great option in the winter as well. Just minutes from The Washington in downtown Saratoga Springs, Congress Park is a great place to go for a jog in the early morning. There’s also the Saratoga Dog Park where you can let your dog run free and socialize with other dogs!
Keeping your cat or dog happy in an apartment can be a little challenging, but it’s well worth it. Over time you’ll learn what your pet wants and needs, and you’ll know how to keep them entertained. You’ll be happy to come home to them every day and wonder how you ever lived without them!
Looking for more on how to care for your pet? Read through our guide on everything pet-related in Saratoga Springs.