Do you have a new pet, or did you just move into your apartment? Below are a few tips to help make your apartment ready for your pet.
- If you have a dog or cat bed, find a spot for it that is out of the way and has no draft. Older pets like to be in warmer area.
- You’ll also want to determine where a litter box is placed away from food and household items.
- Pets and apartments aren’t always a perfect match. Both cats and dogs can have issues that may cause friction with your neighbors. Keep the communication open, talk to your neighbors and let them know that you will try to minimize noise. Keep your pets on a leash, and always pick up after your pet.
- Damage and smells are some concerns that pets bring to an apartment building complex. Cats can cause problems if they begin using their claws on things that don’t belong to them. Provide a scratching post and trim your cat’s claws on a regular basis. Dogs that cause damage can be crate-trained to minimize their freedom while you are away.
- Keep handy emergency pet numbers on your refrigerator such as your veterinarian, a 24-hour animal hospital in your area, and a friend’s number you have pre-arranged to help out in case you are not home.
- You can also order a free pet safety pack from the ASPCA through their Web site, which includes a magnet and decal that lets rescue workers know that you have a pet in your apartment in case of an emergency.
- For cat owners, keep away long cords from the blinds, and for dog owners, make sure that there is nothing harmful left out for a dog to digest. Make sure your apartment doors remain closed.