Apartment Living With a Dog or Cat: Australian Guide

Suitability depends more on the individual animal than on floor area. A calm, older Greyhound can often adapt to a one-bedroom unit more easily than a young, high-energy Kelpie bred to work all day.

Before bringing a pet home, owners can check a few things:

Approval matters as much as space. Renters generally need written consent from the landlord, while owners in strata buildings usually need to follow the by-laws or notify the owners corporation.

Rules vary by state:

• Victoria: Renters must request consent, and a landlord who wants to refuse generally has to apply to VCAT.
• New South Wales: Recent rental reforms mean landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a pet request and must respond within a set period. NSW strata law has also moved away from blanket pet bans following the 2020 Cooper decision.
• Queensland: Landlords need reasonable grounds to refuse a pet and must respond in writing within the required time.

These laws can change, so owners should check the current rules with their state's fair trading or consumer affairs office.

Most adult dogs need at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical exercise per day, split across two or more outings. Working breeds, terriers and young dogs often need more, while some senior or brachycephalic breeds need less and should avoid exercise in hot weather.

Physical exercise is only part of the picture. Regular mental work can tire apartment dogs just as effectively as a walk.

A practical daily routine might include:

• Morning walk: 20 to 30 minutes, with time to sniff
• Midday break: A dog walker or doggy day care visit if the owner works long hours
• Evening walk or off-lead park session: 20 to 40 minutes in a designated off-leash area
• Enrichment: 10 to 15 minutes of snuffle mats, frozen Kong toys, lick mats or short training sessions

In Australian summers, walks are safest early in the morning or after sunset. Try holding the back of a hand on the footpath for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws.

Dog walkers in most Australian cities typically charge around $25 to $45 per walk, and day care often costs $45 to $70 per day, depending on location.

Three cats can live well in an apartment if the space is set up for them and they get along. The number itself matters less than how resources are shared.

Many vets recommend the "one plus one" rule for litter trays: one tray per cat, plus one extra. For three cats, that means four trays in different locations.

Other ways to support a multi-cat household include:

• Vertical space: Cat trees, wall shelves and window perches let cats spread out without competing for floor space.
• Separate feeding stations: This can reduce tension at mealtimes.
• Several water sources: Bowls or fountains in different rooms.
• Hiding spots: Boxes, covered beds or cupboards with the door left open.

Signs that cats may be stressed include spraying, toileting outside the tray, over-grooming, hiding or fighting. If you notice these, a vet check is a sensible first step to rule out medical causes.

Owners should also check local council rules. Some councils limit the number of cats per household without a permit, and a growing number of areas, including parts of the ACT, require cats to be contained to the owner's property.

Landlords usually have a few specific concerns about cats:

• Scratching of carpets, doors and blinds
• Urine odour soaking into carpet or floorboards
• Fleas left behind after the tenancy ends
• Allergies affecting future tenants

Tenants can address these concerns with a pet résumé, a short document that gives the landlord clear information about the cat.

A useful pet résumé includes:

1. The cat's name, age, breed and a recent photo
2. Proof of desexing, microchipping and council registration
3. Up-to-date vaccination and flea treatment records from the vet
4. A reference from a previous landlord or property manager
5. A description of how the cat is kept indoors or contained
6. A plan for scratching (posts and pads) and litter care

Offering to have carpets professionally cleaned at the end of the lease can also help, as long as it complies with state tenancy laws. Some states limit pet-related conditions or extra bonds, so tenants should check their local rules before agreeing to anything.

The 3-3-3 rule is a general guide used by many rescue groups to describe how a newly adopted animal settles in. It’s most often applied to dogs, but it can be a helpful framework for cats too.

Apartments add extra things for a new pet to get used to, such as lifts, shared hallways, intercom buzzers and neighbours' noises. Introducing these gradually, with treats and calm praise, can help reduce anxiety.

Every animal adjusts at its own pace. Some settle in days, while others take longer than three months, particularly those with a difficult history.

Most neighbour complaints are about noise, smells or shared spaces. Tackling these early helps keep things friendly and lowers the risk of formal complaints to strata or council.

Barking

• First, work out what’s causing it: boredom, separation anxiety or reactions to sounds in the hallway.
• Offer enrichment before you leave, such as a long walk and a food puzzle.
• Try white noise or a radio to mask sounds from outside.
• If the problem continues, get help from a qualified trainer or a vet with an interest in behaviour.

Councils across Australia can act on persistent barking complaints. A recording device or pet camera can help you understand what happens while you’re out.

Litter smells

• Scoop trays at least once a day and change the litter completely each week.
• Try unscented clumping or natural litter, if your cats will use it.
• Wash trays with mild detergent rather than strong chemicals such as ammonia-based cleaners.
• Put trays in a ventilated area, away from shared walls near a neighbour's door if possible.

Shared spaces and balconies

• Keep dogs on a lead in lobbies, lifts and corridors. If someone seems uncomfortable, wait for the next lift.
• Pick up after dogs straight away and put the waste in sealed bags.
• Clean balconies regularly so odours and run-off don’t reach the units below.
• Install secure cat netting rather than letting cats roam between balconies.

A short, friendly introduction to neighbours, with your contact details in case of any issues, can make it easier to sort out problems before they escalate.