Troubles You Can Avoid

Renting an apartment may or may not fit the pets you have. If you’re already in an apartment, there may be some pets that don’t do so well. Following, common pets and their relationship to rental situations will be explored to help give you an idea what you’re in for if you decide to keep animals. Which pets are best and worst may depend on the pet owner.

Cats

Cats are a pretty good apartment companion, but you will have to pay a pet deposit. Cats get hair everywhere, they scratch your furniture, puke on your floors, and leave excreta beyond the cat box on occasion. Still, if you keep on top of things, a cat is pretty low maintenance. Just clean the box every day, and whatever else a cat may leave for you the moment it’s encountered.

Dogs

Canines can be good apartment pets, but they do need to be walked. Dogs are much like children. They need a lot of attention, and they want to be with you all the time—but hey, you might want to be near them all the time, too; and there are ways you can.

You’ll need to take your dog on walks around the block, and clean up after it with a plastic sack in most urban areas. Small dogs are pretty good for an apartment, big dogs can be a pain.

Big dogs need room to run around. Big cats can make do with a small room, a big dog really needs a bit more space. Barring that, you’ve really got to keep that animal with you wherever you go. If this is okay with you, then a dog may be the right choice.

Lizards, Frogs, Reptiles, and Fish

Lizards, frogs, fish, reptiles, and other animals that can be kept in a fish tank for the most part might be some of the best for an apartment. You can usually avoid pet deposits if you’re savvy. Here’s the thing: property value is almost certain to decline when tenants have pets over a long period of time. The deposit often won’t cover it.

Maintaining the value of a property requires regular maintenance, and landlords can’t trust tenants to effect it across the board. Accordingly, they’ll initiate an extra pet deposit to cover incidentals, but even that may not be enough.

Yet with lizards, amphibians, and ichthyic creatures like squid, clams, fish, or whatever, owners must maintain the tank; and incidents are rare. A fishbowl won’t usually predicate a pet deposit. Neither will a terrarium with frogs or turtles.

Rodents

Rodents like mice, rats, chinchillas, and hamsters are usually kept in a cage. Generally rodents and ferret-like creatures from the weasel family (excepting skunks) are a pretty good fit for an apartment. Just don’t let them get lost in the vents.

Birds

Birds are also caged, and provided you regularly clean their cages, they’re going to be a pretty good pet for an apartment. Do clip their wings, though, or they may fly away for good through an open window in summer. Also, you’ve got to keep an eye on them when they’re out of the cage, because they just “let loose” when it suits their metabolism.

Finding An Apartment For You And Your Pet

You might look through these apartments in Grand Prairie to see which fit your needs, and those of any pets you’ll be bringing with you. Birds, rodents, fish, reptiles, and amphibians are good fits for an apartment. Dogs and cats can be, but require a bit more work. Which of these are the best or worst pets for an apartment depends on you, and it depends on the pet.

Generally, provided you’re a responsible pet owner who cleans up after animals fastidiously, any pet will work for you in an apartment. But caring for animals and cleaning up after them is a commitment; whether or not you’re in an apartment. Oh, if you’re trying to keep a small horse in an apartment, good luck; the landlord probably won’t go for it. Non-traditional pets haven’t been explored here.