Hilarious hi-jinks and bed fails. Constant companionship and loyalty. Excuses to enjoy some playtime. Fluffy cuddles. No wonder so many of us love the idea of sharing our home with a pet! The great news is that you don’t have to live in a large house to enjoy all the benefits of pet parenthood. There are plenty of pets, including dogs and cats, that will thrive in any home, including an apartment.
Read on to find a pet match for your small living lifestyle.
Although you might think all dogs need a garden and plenty of space to run around, there are plenty of pups who will happily live in an apartment! Here are some things to consider when choosing a suitable dog for your apartment:
Basset Hounds are laid-back, charming dogs with easy-going temperaments who can never be accused of being excitable, bouncy or wiggly, making them a good fit for apartment life. Good-natured pups, they’re accepting of outsiders and love meeting new people and dogs, so getting into a lift with your neighbours will never be a problem. Couch potatoes most of the time, Basset Hounds save their energy for when they smell something interesting. That’s when they’ll let loose with their signature baying bark which is surprisingly loud - this is the only downside to apartment living with a Basset! Read more about this breed here.
The small yet sturdy and confident Bichon Frise is one of the best dogs for apartments. Utterly adorable and teddy bear-like, they’re playful, curious and absolutely devoted to their humans. You won’t find a more loyal companion than a Bichon. Charming and friendly, new people and pups are just friends they haven’t met yet. Although they’ll surprise you with their bursts of speed, this is quickly followed by hours of snuggling and sleeping. Low-energy dogs, a quick walk outside is all they need to stay happy and healthy. But Bichon Frises need to be around people during the day - they don’t like to be left alone for long. They’re best suited to people who work from home or are retired. Read more abou this breed here.
It’s impossible to not fall in love with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on the spot, thanks to their large round eyes and long floppy ears. Cavaliers are fun, friendly, easygoing pups that fit effortlessly into your life and family - they play nicely with children and other dogs. They combine the affectionate nature of a lap dog with a thirst for doing whatever you’re doing, including long ambles in the park. The best word to describe a Cavalier is ‘adaptable’. This means they’ll be as athletic (or as lazy) as you want, making them ideal for apartment life. They’re just as happy being active and outdoorsy as they are being inside and sofa-snuggly! Read more about this breed here.
With their tiny size, Chihuahuas are ideal apartment dogs. But it’s not just their size that makes them a good choice for apartment dwellers. These charming, mischievous and cheeky pups love to play, although it doesn’t usually last very long. Once playtime is over, it’s time to do what they do best - cuddle up and sleep on your lap. Chihuahuas don’t need much space for exercise - following you around is normally enough exercise for them - but they should still enjoy short, daily walks. Chihuahuas have a real need for attention, and lots of it so their ideal parent should work from home or be retired. You should be prepared to properly train and socialise your Chihuahua from an early age to temper their not-so-apartment-friendly barking tendencies. Read more about this breed here.
An English Bulldog is instantly recognisable, thanks to that smooshy face. It’s because of their most distinctive feature (being flat-faced) that these dogs are great for apartments - as they tend to overheat easily, their exercise needs are fairly low. Usually happy with short walks, English Bulldogs tire fairly quickly during play. They need to live in an air-conditioned home and shouldn’t spend a lot of time outdoors when it’s warm. Although they’re not known for being barkers, you might find your life a little disrupted by their snoring! If you’re looking for a sociable canine companion to hang out on the couch with you, an English Bulldog is a great choice. Read more about this breed here.
If you’ve got energy to spare and want a dog that’s going to come on long runs and bush hikes with you, a French Bulldog isn’t going to be your ideal canine companion. These pups are happiest hanging out with you, whether that’s a gentle short stroll or an afternoon on the couch. Playful, funny, bright and adaptable, Frenchies can easily settle into apartment life, especially because they’re quiet dogs that aren’t known to bark much. Read more about this breed here
Hang about, the world’s fastest dog is suitable for an apartment? Absolutely - because Greyhounds have 2 modes: speeding or snoozing. And once their need for speed has been met (normally with one walk a day and possibly some off-leash time in a fully-fenced area), these pups will happily not move for the rest of the day. Due to their large size, Greyhounds might not seem like the best couch companions (those noodle legs spread everywhere!) but this won’t stop a Greyhound trying to cuddle up next to you on the sofa or in bed. These chilled out, quiet, low energy and affectionate dogs love nothing more than lazing around at home with their fam. Think of them more as giant cats than dogs. Read more about thise breed here.
Cats are ideal apartment dwellers, especially as keeping them indoors helps keep them and the local wildlife safe. As long as you give indoor cats enough attention and play, most cats are happy inside. Here are some things to think about when choosing a suitable cat for an apartment:
The British Shorthair cat has a quiet voice and is an undemanding companion. While not overly affectionate, the British Shorthair tends to get along just fine with everyone. They’re mellow and will tolerate other animals, and even though they may not seek out snuggles at every opportunity, they’re happy to be scooped up for a good cuddle. They’re generally quite content to laze around the home throughout the day, making them an ideal indoor cat (keep an eye on their weight gain though). Known to generally mature later than other breeds, the British Shorthair keeps their kitten-like playfulness for longer. Read more about this breed here.
If you can’t get a dog, a Burmese might be the next best thing - it’s the most dog-like cat out there. That’s because Burmese are playful, super social and loving. Like some dog breeds, they bond really strongly to their humans and want to spend as much time as possible with you which is easy to achieve in an apartment. Unusually for cats, they’re not massively independent and won’t cope well if they’re left alone for too long - think of them as one of the best work from home buddies. Be prepared to be distracted often though, by their (vocal) demands for pets and attention. Living up to cat characteristics about curiosity, Burmese love to thoroughly explore your home and will take every opportunity to show off their playful side, which includes running, climbing and jumping. Having a Burmese cat in an apartment means there will never be a dull day! Read more about this breed here.
Maine Coon cats make brilliant apartment dwellers - they’re calm, affectionate, easygoing and charming. One of the Maine Coon’s biggest quirks is their love of water. A Maine Coon will spend time every day playing with water, whether that’s splashing their water bowl or trying to turn on a tap. At least it’s easy to entertain a Maine Coon in an apartment! Not known for being overly clingy, they are known for keeping their kitten-like playfulness long into their adult years. A Maine Coon will enjoy daily play sessions, preferably with you or other family members, normally in the morning and evening. Between the playing, they’ll happily snooze the day away. Read more about this breed here.
Persian cats are sweet-tempered felines who are low-key, social, quiet and affectionate. Their favourite thing to do is snuggle next to you as you pet, stroke and cuddle them. Sure, they’re happy and curious but you’re more likely to find them cuddled up on the comfiest cushion than tearing through your apartment. Not total couch potatoes, Persians will happily play with cat toys but they don’t need constant entertainment. Most Persians can cope with being left at home alone while you’re at work (stock up on some toys and scratchers), but this love bug shouldn't be left alone for extended periods of time. Read more about this breed here.
Docile, sweet, and happy to relax for a good cuddle session, the loving Ragdoll makes a wonderful companion. Ragdolls are known for having one of the best manners (and softest voices) in the cat kingdom. Having a Ragdoll in your apartment means you won’t be pestered for attention. Instead this affectionate cat is so laidback, it’s known to go limp in your arms (hence their name). Although fun and playful, Ragdolls don’t have huge energy levels so will happily play for a bit before settling down for a snooze. Read more about this breed here.
Other animals suitable for apartments
If you’re not a dog or a cat person, there are plenty of small animals that live happily in apartments. These include rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, fish and birds.
We hope this guide helps you choose your perfect apartment pet! If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.