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The hunt is on for your next rental home or apartment and you’ve got a furry pal in tow. After filtering your search to show only pet-friendly homes, there are still a number of factors to consider when renting with a pet. Let us we’ll equip you with all the knowledge to find the best home for you and your pet(s) and how to take good care of your rental after you’ve moved in.
Points to consider for your new home
Review the following tips and make a list of what’s important for your pet and your must-haves for your next living space.
Types of flooring
What kind of flooring does the home have? It’s usually easier to keep hard floors clean and looking new than carpet, but carpeting doesn’t necessarily have to be a deal-breaker. There are many options to help preserve carpet, such as potty pads for pups in training, rugs, mats to place under litter boxes and food bowls, and pet-specific carpet cleaning solutions.
Check out the neighborhood
Once you’ve found some good options, consider the location and find out what’s nearby.
- Are there good places to walk?
- Where are the closest dog parks?
- Is it close to pet stores, your veterinarian, groomer, daycare, etc?
What to know for dogs
You’ll make the final call whether certain dog-friendly amenities are must-haves or nice-to-haves in your new home, but here are a few to consider:
- Easy access to outdoor potty spots: Look at the property to determine where you would take your dog to go potty. If it’s in the city, is there a park or green space nearby?
- Apartment units on the ground level or on lower floors: Especially for dogs that need to go out more frequently, this will make it easier for both of you to get outside quickly.
- Other amenities: Some complexes boast pet-friendly perks like poo bag dispensers, dog washing stations, and indoor or fenced play parks.
What to know for cats
If you have a cat, there are a few more specific things to be aware of:
- Window screens: Make sure all windows have screens that are securely in place to keep kitties from falling and/or escaping.
- Blinds: What type of window coverings does the home have? If there are blinds with strings, keep in mind that some pets could try to play with them and get tangled.
How to maintain your new home
After you’ve found your next home, you’ll want to take good care of your rental and keep your landlord happy with these tips:
- Provide scratchers (for cats) and plenty of toys (for both cats and dogs) to entertain your pet and prevent them from damaging your furniture or home
- Adhere scratch protectors to doors if your pet tends to paw at them
- Use baby gates to keep your pet in or out of certain rooms
- Regularly brush and bathe your pet to help keep your apartment clean
- Place a mat under the litter box to collect excess litter
- Purchase an enzymatic cleaner to thoroughly remove pet messes
- Keep breakable items out of reach
- Protect floors (and add decorative flair!) with washable rugs
- Use trash cans with lids to keep out curious noses and paws
