“ “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day” -John Gorgan.

“A famous adage about house pets has said that “A house is not a home without a pet.”

And in more ways than one, it is true.

Housepets bring that much-needed life into our homes. They break the monotony of everyday life and make great life companions. Unfortunately, not every type of home is equipped to handle your four-legged family members, so if you are lucky enough to be granted permission by the condo’s homeowner’s association, you should take extra steps to ensure that you are a responsible pet owner. Indeed, sharing your personal space with a beloved pet in a condo unit can be exciting. However, this may also be a challenging endeavor if you are ill-prepared. As said above, there are things you need to keep in mind and remember to become a responsible pet owner. If you have lived with any pets in the past, you may attest to the fact that living with an animal is not all fun and games.

If you have decided to move into an affordable condo for sale in Pasig or wherever with your pet, however, be sure you take all the steps to ensure that your pet lives in a conducive environment while being a responsible pet owner yourself. In any case, if you have decided to bring a pet into your condo units, below are just some of the things you need to keep in mind:

1.) Be sure to clean up your mess

Pets are known to make a mess. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to clean up after them—whether they have made a mess in your unit or in the common areas. That said, always have a plastic bag handy when you are walking your dog. They will be useful in picking up your dog’s poo. Cleaning up after your pet is also a sign of courtesy to other condo unit owners. After all, nobody likes to encounter dog poo in the hallways, smelling it, or worse, stepping on it. If you have cats, this also applies to your kitty’s litter box or your hamster’s cage.

2.) Pet-proof your place

One of the things you need to do before bringing a pet to your condo unit is to ensure that your space is pet-proof. In fact, this should be the highest priority on your list. Start pet-proofing your place by checking every room for any potential hazards your pet could encounter and suffer from. Also, keep your unit as clean as it can possibly be. Discard any old open trash bins that may be seen as toys by your furry friends and swap them out for closed ones. Tuck away chewy cords on the floor or keep them from areas where they can easily be chewed and bit on by your pet. These are just some of the things that keep your pet from harm.

3.) Housebreak your pets and keep them clean

Make sure your pets know where they should do their business when they are inside your condo unit. You may think that you can easily clean up accidents, but if it occurs pretty often, the smell will start sticking to the walls and furniture of your condo, which is something you definitely do not want to live with. As accidents are inevitable, particularly when you are still in the early stages of housebreaking your pets, just be sure to keep it clean. Scrub your walls, floors, and furniture routinely. Any accidents should be immediately mopped up and scrubbed with extra-strong soap, or else the smell will stick around for quite a while. If you have particularly furry pets, vacuum your space thoroughly as they can shed a lot of hair. It is also recommended to give your pets a bath regularly and dry them thereafter.

4.) Secure your pets

Your pets need exercise as well. So, when you are walking them, make sure that you keep them on a short leash so that they do not scare your neighbors. You may think your beloved pooches are cute, but not all of your neighbors will be receptive to pets. That said, it is best to err on the side of caution and keep them close to you on a leash so that they will not get loose. Likewise, if you have any small pets such as mice or gerbils, make sure that their homes are secure so that they do not escape into your condo and breed loose. Another thing to keep in mind is to ensure that your pets do not fall off the balcony—especially if you live on the higher floors of your building.

5.) If you can, train your pets

Ideally, your pets should be trained. After all, you need to be a little considerate to your neighbors as you are living in proximity to each other, and if your dog incessantly barks, it can be pretty annoying. To ensure that your dogs do not keep barking even at the slightest provocation, train them. Also, teach them not to run up to anyone or jump on them immediately as not all people like dogs.

6.) Establish a routine for them

As a responsible pet owner, it is your job to teach your dog that walking them is for them to take a leak or poop. Typically, this is done twice a day. Know that there is still a likely chance that they will pee in your condo, but establishing a routine for them to follow will mitigate those changes. Also, keep your pets healthy by giving them that much-needed exercise; bigger dogs need a lot of leg room which means they are not ideal pets for condo unit owners. However, if you have a bigger dog, let them run for a bit in the open areas of your condo. On the other hand, cat owners should definitely consider giving their cats a scratching post to relieve themselves to prevent them from ruining your furniture.

7.) Socialize with them

As living in a condo typically means encountering other people in common areas, it is recommended if your pet is used to meeting other people or pets. In this way, they would be less aggressive and would not be barking at strangers all the time. It also lessens the chances of fights breaking out between two dogs.

8.) Make your pets familiar with your space

To save your pet from emotional stress, make sure that you introduce them to your place properly and make your condo unit feel familiar. If they had any favorite toys and items, be sure to lay these all out before arriving to keep them from freaking out about being in a new and unfamiliar environment. You may also need to consider that your pet needs to get used to the temperature of your condo. Living in a condo often comes with the comfort of air-conditioning, but your pet might be a little more used to the humid and tropical weather outside. This is especially true if they were outdoor pets prior to your move. Switching their environment from outdoor to indoor can easily confuse them. However, you can rectify and address this by walking them outside your unit at least 2-3 times a day.

9.) Give them their space

As humans, it is vital for us to have our own personal space. Likewise, our pets need it too. That said, allow them to have their own territory as well. There are some pets, cats, in particular, that can get incredibly overwhelmed from all the attention they are getting—especially in condo units which puts them in such close proximity to their owners. To address this, give your feline friends their special spot should they need to get away for a while. Make sure that while they are there, they will be undisturbed.

10.) Give them their daily dose of TLC

Pets are social creatures. Nothing makes them happier than spending time with you. If you work all day, there is a likely chance that they will be waiting for the time for you to come back. Once they hear you come through the door, they will immediately get excited and greet you. That said, our beloved pets love us, and the least we can do is return that love and treat them with extra care and attention. Be sure to keep them happy and healthy by giving them all the affection and attention they deserve.

BOTTOMLINE

Keep in mind that while the tips above are suggested for keeping your pet healthy, it also depends on your pet’s breed and temperament. Like people, each dog or cat has different personality types and energy levels. You may have a pet that can handle shorter walks or just prefers to sleep alone. Regardless of your pet’s personality, being a responsible pet owner requires a keen awareness of their needs. Just be mindful of what your beloved four-legged friend is trying to tell you, and you will be living harmoniously in your shared space.