Living the High Life - Apartment Living for Pets
My-Dog.info > Getting a Dog or Puppy
High above the cities and towns of our nation, pets are
enjoying the apartment life. Having a pet in the home is known to
produce positive health benefits for us, and pets are now allowed
in many apartment buildings. This is because superintendents and
building owners increasingly recognize that pet ownership does
not necessarily equal excess noise, smell, property damage, bite
risks, and flea infestations. Many urban hotels and motels offer
pet friendly accommodations for pet-owners traveling with their
companions.
Cats, small dogs, birds, as well as other small mammals and
exotic species are well suited to apartment living. Pampered
pooches and kitties even enjoy their little living spaces –
why wouldn’t they, all good things are close! However,
before adding a pet to your apartment, it is important to
consider whether or not this arrangement is right for you. Some
people find housing with pets in smaller living spaces
undesirable, especially in small single room apartments, and some
cannot accommodate regular walks for their dog.
Some advantages of indoor living for pets include a reduced
risk of being hit by cars, getting into fights, getting lost, and
reduced exposure to diseases and parasites. The biggest single
risk of apartment living is that the pet will fall from a balcony
or jump through a window. It is essential to ensure that patio
doors and all windows are secured against pet escape, and when
taking a pet onto the deck for fresh air, be sure to secure your
cat using a harness and leash, and secure your dog using a collar
or preferably a harness and leash. Escaped pets, or pets left
unrestrained on balconies account for many preventable falls
every year. Pets should never be left unattended or unsecured on
a balcony or held near the ledge. Many owners prefer not to take
their pets outside on the balcony at all, especially if the
apartment more than two floors up. This makes very good sense,
and is the best approach for accident prevention.
Discussion continues regarding whether the apartment lifestyle
is too restrictive for dogs and cats. One of the important issues
raised is provision of adequate exercise and environmental
stimulation. Apartment living for dogs must be coupled with
regular walks. If the household work schedule is irregular, and
nobody can be home to allow for regular exercise sessions, this
is an issue, but otherwise, two walks per day will be enough for
a small dog accommodated to high-rise living. This need for
exercise applies to any housedog. Any housedog should be provided
a minimum of two walks/playtimes per day and a selection of safe
house toys.
Cats should be given opportunities to experience natural
behaviours like stalking, pouncing, playing, scratching, and
social interactions. Though many cats can be trained to walk on a
harness and leash, a "cat walk" twice a day is not
considered essential husbandry. If the environment for any indoor
cat is enriched, cats will in most cases, self-exercise. In the
few hours each day when they are not sleeping, they should have
an opportunity to select toys and climb, and will certainly
entertain all with their antics! Allow ten minutes twice a day to
actively engage the cat in play activities. Leaving suitable play
toys and climbers in the apartment also helps provide required
mental and physical stimulation. It is also desirable to provide
the cat(s) with windowsill perches to allow them to observe the
outside world. Cats are great bird watchers!
When all family members are away from the apartment for
several hours at a time, it is not uncommon to add an extra pet
for increased companionship and social interaction. Some people
take their pets to "Doggy Daycares" and "Cat
Kindergartens" for daytime enrichment. To help maintain good
will in apartments, selection of an appropriate breed is
important. A quiet, calm, low activity breed is ideal for this
type of setting. Large active dogs are not ideal denizens for
apartments because exercise requirements are high, and their
sheer physical size may be awkward in close quarters.
Talk to your veterinarian about living with your pet in a
high-rise apartment. He or she will help you to better understand
the issues involved.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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