Pet ownership tips for apartment dwellers

Owning a pet in an apartment can be a significantly different experience from owning a pet in a house. To avoid an unfortunate situation in which both pet and pet owner struggle to adapt, prospective pet owners should consider the following tips before adding a four-legged roommate to their apartment dynamic.

• Make sure pets are allowed. Lease agreements should dictate whether pets are or aren't allowed on the premises. Consult the lease before adopting a pet, and read the fine print to see if there's an additional pet security deposit.

• Pet-proof the apartment. Landlords often require tenants to pay a security deposit before moving in. To avoid losing that deposit, tenants should pet-proof their apartments to ensure the pet does not destroy any of the landlord's property. Pets might claw at doors or chew wires, which is also a safety hazard to the pet. Be sure any and all wires are not out in the open and, if crating a puppy or kitten, make sure the crate is away from the wall so a cat or dog cannot claw at the wall before they get acclimated to the crate.

• Choose the right pet. Not all pets are compatible with apartment living. For instance, large dogs might suffer both physical and emotional side effects if confined to an apartment that's too small. Consult with a veterinarian or pet adoption professional to determine which pet makes the best fit for your apartment.

• Train the pet early. Apartment dwellers should never forgo obedience training for their pet. An untrained pet in apartment might disturb the neighbors, which might make it difficult to renew a lease in the future. Train the pet early, as bad habits only get harder to break the older a pet becomes.