List of Pets Suitable for an Apartment
At first thought, it may not seem like the list of pets suitable for an apartment is very long. Unfortunately, there are a few large animals that don’t make the greatest pets for small places. As far as the typical house pet, apartment dwellers can have all of them, but there are limitations as far as breed go. Let’s take a look at the following list of pets that make great companions for the apartment dweller.
Small Dogs
It is no secret that dogs are one of the most popular pets to own, and just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the companionship of a dog. Granted, there are certain breeds of dog that should be avoided. Larger breeds of dog should obviously be avoided, such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and large hunting breeds like Pointers and Springer Spaniels. Low-energy dogs or smaller breeds that can get most of their daily exercise indoors are best suited for life in an apartment. Most terriers do well in an apartment, especially Yorkshire Terriers, West Highland Terriers (Westies), Scottish Terriers, and Miniature Fox Terriers. Miniature Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Pugs, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians are other excellent choices.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs make excellent pets for an apartment dweller, especially if you have kids! They slightly resemble a hamster, only guinea pigs are considered to have much more “personality” than a hamster. Guinea pigs tend to be more affectionate and are fairly smart little critters. In fact, if you give a guinea pig enough room it can even be trained to use a litter box! Guinea pigs are easy to care for as their diet consists of store-bought pellet food and water. They can easily get enough exercise in a large cage or through free-run of the house. So if you want a pet that is affectionate yet doesn’t require trips outdoors for exercise and potty time, then consider getting a guinea pig!
Snakes
If you want a pet that doesn’t need cuddles or affection but has a bit more flair than a fish, then a snake may be just the pet for you. Snakes have a certain exotic appeal and can certainly be interesting to watch and feed. That being said, most species of snake need to be fed live prey. This is something to bear in mind before taking in a snake. If you don’t have the heart to feed a snake its natural food, then a snake probably isn’t for you. Snakes do require a bit of special care when it comes to their environment. Just like many reptiles, snakes must have special cages with adequate lighting and heating. This is because snakes are cold-blooded and cannot function efficiently in cool temperatures. Before committing to the care of a snake, you should do a bit of research to find out what type of snake would be best for you and what kind of environment and diet it should have.
Chinchillas
The chinchilla can be a particularly appealing pet if you like both squirrels and mice, as the chinchilla distinctly resembles both of those creatures. The chinchilla is fairly introverted, but if it is socialized well it can become desensitized to handling and noise. Ideally, the chinchilla does prefer a quiet environment and doesn’t appreciate unexpected movements or shouting. This probably wouldn’t be the ideal pet for someone with small children, although it would suit a child old enough to respect the chinchilla’s nature. While a chinchilla will require a spacious cage, it is quite a clean animal and doesn’t produce a very offensive odor, as rats and hamsters can. If you are considering a chinchilla for a pet, bear in mind that this creature loves to chew and nibble on things, so you may have to “chinchilize” your house and put away any wires or other dangerous items that could harm your pet.
Cats
Our list of pets for an apartment wouldn’t be complete without the addition of cats. Cats are extremely easy to care for and can provide companionship and affection without being overly-needy. You will never have to let a cat outside if you don’t want to, as they can easily adapt to using a litter box, and they can get more than enough exercise by simply playing around indoors with cat-friendly toys. A cat requires a simple diet of store-bought dry or moist food and water. The core investment for a cat is quite cheap with the purchase of a litter box, cleaning scoop, food and water dish, and a bed, which is optional. Litter and food are the only on-going expenses for a cat (with the addition of veterinary treatment, but that goes without saying for any pet you might own).
Hopefully you have found something appealing on our list of pets. Although most regulations for apartments are pretty standard, you may want to speak with your landlord about the type of pets that they allow. Some have very lax regulations regarding pets, as long as they aren’t large, while other landlords prohibit snakes, rats, and ferrets. It’s just good planning to check with your landlord before purchasing a pet for your apartment.