Make sure you keep these factors in mind before adding a pet to your apartment.
If you are planning to add a pet to your Apartments of Wildewood home soon, there are several things you should know. Having a pet can be a positive experience for people of all ages and give an animal a good home. However, you want to ensure that your pet fits in with your apartment home and won’t cause any problems between you, your landlord, or your neighbors. So before you plan on adding a pet to your apartment, consider the following factors and make sure that you are prepared for everything that comes with this new decision.
Do You Live in a Pet-Friendly Apartment?
If you are looking for an apartment home that will let you own a pet, thoroughly check each new home to ensure it is pet-friendly. For instance, many properties may be pet-friendly, but they may restrict dog weight or breed or consider your apartment unit’s location when deciding which pets are allowed. If you aren’t sure whether your current home is pet-friendly, consult with your property manager to make sure.
Make Sure Your Pet Is Added to Your Lease
When adding a pet to your apartment, many apartment communities require a pet addendum to your lease. Make sure you add this to your lease and sign it with your landlord so you have what is permitted and what is not in writing. Adding pets to apartment homes typically means paying a pet deposit fee and a monthly pet fee. There are likely specific rules outlining leashing your pet and which parts of the community dogs can visit.
Be Ready to Spend Extra Money
Owning a pet is a big responsibility, not just because of the care the dog or cat requires but because of the money needed to provide that care. Consider this before adopting a pet, so you don’t feel the sting too much. Pet costs include:
- Food
- Recurring vaccines
- Deworming medicine
- Toys
- Training lessons
- Treats
- Doggy daycare during the workday or vacations
- Food and water bowls
- Leashes, harnesses, collars, and tags
- Unexpected illnesses
Find the Right Pet For You
Before adding a pet to your apartment home, ensure you have found the ideal pet for your family and lifestyle. When adopting a pet as an apartment renter, you will have to consider whether this pet will be comfortable with the space available and whether they are likely to damage the property.
Before adopting a puppy or kitten, consider whether you have the time or patience to train these baby pets. It is a big responsibility, and not everyone has the time. By adopting older pets, you often have animals that are already house-trained and likely to be much calmer and require less activity.
Take Time to Train Your Pet
If you want to make your pet a beloved family and apartment community member, some training can go a long way. Taking lessons with your pet can help you learn how to give basic commands and control your tone of voice to indicate when you are displeased or happy with your pet. When you know you can manage your pet’s behaviors more effectively, you can more easily leave them alone in the apartment, walk them around the neighborhood, and take them to dog parks.
Apartments Of Wildewood Have A Friendly Community That’s Waiting To Welcome You!
At The Apartments of Wildewood, located in beautiful St. Mary’s Maryland, we offer homes with access to pools, an on-site gym, and maintenance whenever you need it – and have access to all the information you need to affordably rent an apartment in St. Mary’s. To set up an appointment to check out an apartment or townhouse rental from The Apartments of Wildewood, call us at 301.737.0737 or visit the website at www.apartmentsofwildewood.com.