Are you a pet owner looking to move into an apartment? Have you lived in one for a while but don’t have enough room for your former pet?
It turns out that there are plenty of other options for animal companions that will fit just fine with your home. They are just small enough to see an apartment as spacious and fun as you would a house.
You won’t have to worry about maintenance with these pets. Being small means you don’t have to spend as much on food, and they also don’t take up as much space, which means smaller messes to clean up.
By following our guides for a comfortable home, you will be able to provide a great living situation for yourself and your pet. They will make great roommates until you find a house that your old pet can join you in.
Here are 7 low maintenance pets to consider if you live in an apartment.
1. Small Dogs
The lack of space in an apartment compared to a house doesn’t make it the best environment for St. Bernards, British Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, and other large dogs. However, small dogs may have a blast in your home.
If you’re a dog person, then the best dogs for apartment living are small canines. Options include Chihuahuas, Shi Tzus, Terriers, Pugs, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Because these dogs are smaller, you won’t have to spend as much on food and toys as you would for big dogs. The messes they leave behind will also be smaller, making them easier to clean up. You can find more info here on how easy they are to take care of.
No matter the size, most dogs love to play and require plenty of space to have fun. Your apartment will provide the equivalent of what a house would for bigger dogs, though taking them outside every day will help them get used to the environment, as well as other dogs that other people who live on your floor might own.
There’s still a way to enjoy the comfort of a somewhat larger dog without having to worry about high maintenance. Great Danes and Greyhounds are bigger than the other options we mentioned, but they tend to enjoy the same amount of relaxation, which means less work on your end.
2. Cats
You may be on the other end of the spectrum of pet lovers and enjoy the company of a feline. Cats are among the best pets to have if you’re staying in an apartment for the time being.
You won’t have to worry about taking cats out several times a day to go for a walk or go to the bathroom. These animals enjoy kicking back indoors, possibly almost as much as you might, especially if you have a heavy work schedule.
As we mentioned about small dogs, size makes a difference in how much food you need to buy for your pets. Since cats, for the most part, are smaller than even tiny dogs, your wallet will stay full after a trip to the pet store.
Communicating with cats also tends to be easier than with other pets. A recent study has shown that cats can respond when you call their name.
Cats also like to travel around rooms and explore different heights. It helps to give them areas with high shelves and window sills so that they can have some fun when they’re not taking a nap.
3. Lizards
Some of you may prefer a pet with less fur and more scales. In this case, apartment dwellers can enjoy the company of a lizard.
The benefit of these creatures is that you won’t have to deal with the loud barking or hissing in the middle of the night. Not only do lizards take up less space, but they tend to be quiet most of the time.
Geckos and Chameleons are among the most common lizards that people make part of their family. There are tanks and cages designed for them that keep them safe while providing plenty of space to move around when you are busy doing work around the house.
You can also try owning a Bearded Dragons, which is one of the most social lizards. This can come in handy in case you have a neighbor who owns a lizard and you want to give yours a new friend.
If you do tend to give your lizard some freedom around the apartment, make sure to have the right cleaning tools. They may leave behind a small mess, but getting to it quick will create fewer problems down the road, such as lingering smells or a friend coming over and stepping on droppings.
4. Fish for Low Maintenance Pets
One of the sacrifices that dog and cat owners have to make is a lack of a quiet environment. With fish, however, that trade-off won’t be an issue.
Fish make for good pets because of the small amount of space they take up because of their size, as well as their need for water. All you need is a small fishbowl or aquarium, and you’re good to go.
You also won’t have to worry about finances when you own more than one fish. They tend to be cheaper than other animals as long as you don’t try looking for those that are too rare or exotic.
There is also a variety of fish to choose from. Goldfish are among the most common because of the color options available to add to the room, though rainbow, betta, and barb fish also make for good pets.
Be sure to find a good deal on a fish tank, unless you have the money and space for bigger options. Getting more than one fish will provide company for each one without sacrifice areas for them to explore.
5. Birds
If noise isn’t a problem for your living situation, then birds may be the best pets for you. As long as you can handle chirping or squawking at random periods, you’ll have a good time.
Birds are also more suited for people who tend to go out more. These creatures need for social interactions than others, as constant solitude has been attributed to increases in stress and anxiety among birds.
If none of your neighbors own birds, then there may be places in your area where it can find some friends. We advise taking them to the park or other open spaces once in a while to interact with others of its kind.
Parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos, and similar birds are among the larger options, which requires more money. However, birds such as Finches and Domestic Canaries can work for those on a budget.
Taking training courses is also a good idea if you’ve never owned a bird before. This will help keep the bird with you if your apartment comes with outdoor space in the front or back.
6. Rodents
Moving back over to furry pets, rodents can also make for great roommates for apartment owners. You can choose from several options with this group, such as rats, Guinea Pigs, and hamsters.
Their size makes them easy low maintenance pets for apartments. They don’t need as much food as cats and dogs, so you won’t have to make many trips to the pet store.
However, they do require a good deal of cleaning. Rodents tend to leave messes at frequent points of the day, so you’ll need to keep an eye on their cages.
These animals also work best in groups. Having an extra rat or hamster around will give them another friend to play with.
Rodents are also very intelligent, making them easier to train than most pets. Other benefits of this include an easier time supervising them outside of the cage and making them obey your rules about toy use.
7. Turtles
The more your pet tends to move around, the harder it may be to take care of them. However, that may not be much of a problem if you prefer turtles as pets.
Turtles, by nature, don’t move around that much, and they tend to do better on their own than most animals. This will save you money on having to buy an extra pet to give it a friend.
They also don’t bite or attack as much as dogs, cats, and birds do on a regular basis. However, you’ll have to be just as careful if you get a snapping turtle.
What also makes them low maintenance is that you can take them anywhere you want. This can be fun if you know another turtle owner, as these creatures are still social enough to make friends easily.
Because turtles don’t move around as much, this will make it easier to have someone around at home when you get back from work. You’ll have someone to talk to and make listen to your problems without having to hear any sass back.
Our Take
Having low maintenance pets is the way to go if you live in an apartment. Most animals that fall into this category are small and don’t use as much space as large dogs and other big alternatives.
You will get to enjoy more money saved and the company of a friend who is more obedient and sociable than other animals. With an easier time taking care of your pet, you’ll have a great time making them part of your family.
Check out more of our home maintenance advice today so that you can have a comfortable and fun living situation.
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