How to Choose the Right Pet for a Small Home
Yearning for a pet but worried you don't have the space? Dr Lisa Chimes reveals the perfect animals for compact homes
Dr Lisa Chimes
23 August 2018
Houzz Australia contributor. I am a veterinarian and host of 'Dr Lisa to the Rescue' on the Nine TV network. I live in Sydney with my husband Brad, our two children Hudson and Darcie and two cavalier cross poodles, Nelson and Lucas.
Houzz Australia contributor. I am a veterinarian and host of 'Dr Lisa to the Rescue'... More
Many people would be surprised how many pets – even big ones – are suited to living in a small home. For all pets, regardless of the size of their living quarters, the right diet, exercise, environmental enrichment and mental stimulation are key for reducing the chance of any behavioural and health problems. Obviously, I wouldn’t suggest you house a horse in your apartment, but here are some pets that can thrive in a small environment.
Dogs
Many dog breeds are suitable for compact homes, including chihuahuas, pugs, French bulldogs, cavalier King Charles spaniels and even Great Danes – the list is almost endless. Greyhounds also make excellent apartment dogs.
Older dogs of any breed are generally less active and will also work well in a small space. If choosing a rescue dog, look at a puppy of a suitable breed, or an adult or older dog that has previously lived in a small space.
Furry Faces: How to Take Better Photos of Your Pet
Many dog breeds are suitable for compact homes, including chihuahuas, pugs, French bulldogs, cavalier King Charles spaniels and even Great Danes – the list is almost endless. Greyhounds also make excellent apartment dogs.
Older dogs of any breed are generally less active and will also work well in a small space. If choosing a rescue dog, look at a puppy of a suitable breed, or an adult or older dog that has previously lived in a small space.
Furry Faces: How to Take Better Photos of Your Pet
Ideally, the dog will have access to a small yard or safe balcony outside for going to the toilet. If not, many dogs can be trained to toilet on absorbent pee pads or pet toilets. Whichever dog breed you choose, ensure you give them at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, plus regular trips outside as often as you can. If you need to leave them at home for longer than a few hours, it’s great to take them on a long morning walk so they spend most of their day sleeping.
Cats
Cats make perfect apartment pets – they spend most of their days snoozing and are easily litter trained. Ensure that your cat has plenty of exercise indoors by playing regular games with them and providing a variety of stimulating toys at different heights. Don’t allow your cat on a balcony unsupervised – I have seen many cats with injuries after falling from heights. Consider building an outdoor cat enclosure as an extra treat if you have the space.
Purrfect Pet: How to Choose a Rescue Cat
Cats make perfect apartment pets – they spend most of their days snoozing and are easily litter trained. Ensure that your cat has plenty of exercise indoors by playing regular games with them and providing a variety of stimulating toys at different heights. Don’t allow your cat on a balcony unsupervised – I have seen many cats with injuries after falling from heights. Consider building an outdoor cat enclosure as an extra treat if you have the space.
Purrfect Pet: How to Choose a Rescue Cat
Rabbits and guinea pigs
These little guys make wonderful pets. They will need a large hutch, but also plenty of time spent outside of their hutch for exercise and environmental enrichment. Rabbits can be easily trained to use a litter tray, but can be mischievous chewers, so make sure that all electrical cords and other hazards are well out of reach.
Mice and rats
Perfect for small spaces, mice and rats will need a suitable cage that is filled with activity centres, toys and hiding places. Rats seem to enjoy physical contact from their owners more than mice, but all will need regular cage cleaning, feeding and environmental enrichment.
These little guys make wonderful pets. They will need a large hutch, but also plenty of time spent outside of their hutch for exercise and environmental enrichment. Rabbits can be easily trained to use a litter tray, but can be mischievous chewers, so make sure that all electrical cords and other hazards are well out of reach.
Mice and rats
Perfect for small spaces, mice and rats will need a suitable cage that is filled with activity centres, toys and hiding places. Rats seem to enjoy physical contact from their owners more than mice, but all will need regular cage cleaning, feeding and environmental enrichment.
Birds
Birds are highly intelligent animals that can become easily bored and anxious if locked in a cage all day. They will need a large, spacious cage, and also the freedom to have daily time spent outside their cage. Many birds are happier in pairs, and birds also develop strong bonds with their owners and will need frequent attention.
Find a professional who can help with building an enclosure
Birds are highly intelligent animals that can become easily bored and anxious if locked in a cage all day. They will need a large, spacious cage, and also the freedom to have daily time spent outside their cage. Many birds are happier in pairs, and birds also develop strong bonds with their owners and will need frequent attention.
Find a professional who can help with building an enclosure
Fish
It’s pretty obvious that a fish tank can be placed in a home of any size. The tank will need regular water testing, ideally filtration and potentially heating, depending on your fish species.
Reptiles
While reptiles are perfect for a small home, they will need a proper enclosure of the right size with an appropriate habitat, as well as lighting and heating.
It’s pretty obvious that a fish tank can be placed in a home of any size. The tank will need regular water testing, ideally filtration and potentially heating, depending on your fish species.
Reptiles
While reptiles are perfect for a small home, they will need a proper enclosure of the right size with an appropriate habitat, as well as lighting and heating.
Remember – having a pet is a big responsibility in terms of your time and finances. Some pets will be more demanding than others, but ultimately it is up to you to provide them with the right nutrition, environment, exercise, healthcare and, of course, attention, so that they can live the happiest and healthiest of lives in your home.
Tell us
Do you have a pet in a small home? Tell us about your companion in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like or share this story or save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Read more pet stories
Tell us
Do you have a pet in a small home? Tell us about your companion in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like or share this story or save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Read more pet stories
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(I have nothing against pedigree pets by the way)