7 Tips on Pet Friendly Living from Apartment Managers

Sharing your apartment with a furry, four-legged companion can enhance and enrich your life in unexpected ways. As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to return the favor by caring for your pet. But, how does one do that? We asked the experts, a handful of experienced apartment managers eager to share their wisdom and tips with renters and pet owners alike. The results are in, read on for some tips on pet friendly apartment living from real life apartment managers!

Tips for Pet Friendly Apartment Living in Orlando

  1. Make sure your pet is treated with flea protection. Your apartment community could be home to hundreds of cats and dogs, which can make it a popular breeding ground for pesky fleas. Frequenting shared pet areas such as dog parks or open greenspace areas that are popular on pet walks put your pet at a higher risk for fleas. It’s much easier to prevent fleas and ticks before they set-up camp on your pet than to treat them after the fact!
  2. Keep bags on hand during every walk and pick up after your pet. Be courteous to your fellow neighbors; pick up after your pup when they use the restroom in a public space. This will keep the community clean and enjoyable for all and prevent you from receiving any unwanted charges for pet waste cleanup. Here’s a pro-tip: Take an extra bag from the pet cleanup station and tie it to your dog’s leash. In doing so, you’ll never be left unprepared when your pup makes an unexpected pitstop.
  3. Ask about discounts on pet rent/fees for adopted dogs and cats. Living with your furry best friend doesn’t have to be expensive. Many pet friendly apartments in Orlando support pet adoption and offer incentives for renters who adopt a pet from a shelter. 
  4. Microchip your pet. Prevent your loved one from getting lost with a microchip – a small, high-tech computer chip that’s placed under your pet’s skin. In the event your pet goes missing, any vet office or shelter will be able to scan the chip and easily find your contact information. This will serve as an excellent backup in case your pet’s collar/ID tag breaks or falls off.
  5. Choose an apartment that both you and your pet will be happy in. We love huge snuggly pups, but a studio apartment is not a good fit for an 80 pound dog. Take your dog’s characteristics into account (things like size, temperament, energy level and cleanliness) and choose an apartment floor plan that is a good fit. For example, if your pup likes to play fetch indoors, choose an apartment with a large, open living area. Or, if your dog enjoys time outdoors bird watching, you might consider an apartment with a screened-in patio or balcony.
  6. Don’t be afraid to seek out additional training when necessary. If your dog is a talker who barks incessantly while you’re away, you may face noise complaints from your neighbors. With the help of a trainer, your dog can learn when it’s okay to bark and when it isn’t. This also applies to other undesirable habits like urine marking or chewing.
  7. Consider a dog walking service if you are going to be consistently out of the house for extended periods of time. Ask your leasing office for suggestions on nearby dog walking services that other residents in the community may be using. Your pet will feel much more comfortable and you won’t have to worry about any messes to cleanup when you get home.

This is a post by Sydney Jamieson, Local Apartment Expert for 407apartments – an online apartment search that helps connect renters with apartments in Orlando that fit their lifestyle and budget.

All Pet Alliance locations are closed Saturday, February 10. Come see us at Paws in the Park