City Slickers: 5 Tips for Urban Living with Cats & Dogs

Dogs

The allure of the big city can be hard to resist.

Millennials are repopulating urban areas in records numbers, causing growth in U.S. cities to exceed growth in suburbs for the first time in decades. Yet this same group – comprised of young people aged 18-35 – refuses to sacrifice pet ownership for the sake of city living, with more than one-third of millennials now owning a dog or cat.

Just what is the implication for these city-dwelling pets? Simply that they must adjust to urban living. While cats and dogs don’t have a say in the city vs. suburb debate, most are adaptable to whichever living condition presents itself.

If the appeal of city life draws you in, though, it’s important to have a plan for acclimating your pet to this lifestyle. Here are five tips for successfully integrating your cat or dog into urban living:

1. Select an Appropriate Living Arrangement

When you opt to move to a large metropolitan area, chances are you’ll be giving up the backyard with a white picket fence. This transition can be difficult, but your pet is up for the challenge.

Make the switch easier by finding a suitable living arrangement. If a first-floor residence is not possible, seek out an apartment with easy elevator access and close proximity to a city park. Some high-rise apartment even offer an indoor dog-specific area.

Apartment-living likely means your cat will need to remain indoors, regardless of whether he was previously an indoor or outdoor feline. Find alternative means for ensuring your cat receives adequate stimulation, such as toys, puzzles, and the existence of perches from which to view his surroundings.

2. Acclimate Your Pet to the Action and Noise

A walk along a city sidewalk is bound to be accompanied by plenty of interesting sights and sounds. Car horns will be honking, pedestrians will be chatting, and patios will be bustling with activity.

While this vibrancy may appeal to you, it will take your pet time to develop a comfort level. Take your dog on walks exposing him to this aspect of city life early and often. Have your dog confront his biggest city fears early, whether it’s hearing a motorcycle zoom by or approaching a gathering of people. The more exposure for your dog, the better.

Your cat may hide upon first experiencing the sounds a city entails. However, once your feline becomes comfortable with his urban surroundings, he will be inclined to seek out a window sill from which he can monitor the city streets below.

3. Take Advantage of Pedestrian-Friendly Neighborhoods

Most urban areas boast high scores for walkability. Whereas a suburb or rural area may be partially covered with sidewalks at best, a city typically contains plentiful sidewalks, stoplights, and crosswalks.

Capitalize on this and enjoy walking your dog safely without fear of being struck by a car while on sidewalk-less streets. A city offers a maze of sidewalks, enabling you and your dog to explore a seemingly endless supply of routes without duplication.

Although cats are generally less inclined to cooperate, it’s not out of the question for you to convince your feline to heel on a leash and stroll the city sidewalks with you.