Is it cruel to have a big dog in an apartment? A Comprehensive Guide

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Plan AheadSome questions to askyourself before you commit to a big dog in the big city:

  • How will your dog get to and from your apartment? Do you have an elevator or will he have to walk up and down five flights of stairs? That can be tough on the joints of a large or giant breed.
  • What will you do if your dog is incapacitated? How will you get him out of your apartment and transport him to the veterinarian?
  • What’s your work schedule like? Your dog will need at least a couple of walks a day, even if they are short ones. Can you hire a dog walker to help out if you’re working late?
  • What is this breed’s noise level?
  • How active is this breed and how strong is its desire to work?

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    Checking if you’re allowed to have a dog

    When renting, you will need to check with your real estate agent or landlord if dogs are allowed.

    Depending on what state you live in, the future for renters and their pets could be getting brighter.

    Sweeping reforms in Victoria promised to give renters the right to own a pet — but they wont come into force until July 2020.

    Queensland has impending changes, as does the ACT. And theres a growing push in NSW for similar action.

    Even if you own your apartment, youll need permission from the body corporate.

    The RSPCA wants to encourage more landlords and body corporates to accept animals, explains RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Michael Beatty.

    “Especially with the growing elderly population — often the cat or the dog is their primary companion,” he says.

    Create a comfy space for your dog

    Just because you live in apartments in Cerritos that are on the smaller side doesn’t mean your big dog needs to feel cramped and uncomfortable. Create a welcoming space for your dog in your apartment that includes:

  • A dog bed or pillow
  • A food bowl
  • A water bowl

    • These are just some of the basics, but you could also add other items, like blankets, additional pillows, and toys.

    If you do decide to place some toys in your dog’s designated space, make sure you supervise your dog at all times. This will help ensure that your dog doesn’t choke on part of the toy.

    Living with a German Shepherd in an apartment | living in an apartment with a dog

    You bring it home, make sure it has plenty of toys, and take extra care to give it as much food and water as it needs.

    You have to clean up accidents, take the dog on walks, and pay a lot of money at the vet.

    Of course, you still love your dog and take care of it – you just start to understand that with a big dog comes a lot of responsibility!

    And sometimes, it requires even more responsibility if you are keeping a big dog in a small space. After all, it’s easy to understand how it could be easy for a large dog to feel cramped and unhappy without plenty of room to run around.

    But that doesn’t mean you should give up – fortunately, there are some handy tips you can use to make sure your big dog stays happy living with you in a tiny apartment.