Giving Your Dog a Happy Life in Your Apartment

Supplies, Exercise and DIY’s: Giving Your Dog a Happy Life in Your Apartment

Ready to bring home man’s (or woman’s) best friend into your new pet-friendly apartment? Your dog will love apartment living in no time with the help of our simplified dog owner’s guide!

Supplies

Before you bring your dog home, make sure you have the following essentials so you’re prepared:

· Collar & leash - It’s important to keep your dog leashed whenever you venture outside your apartment, especially in shared spaces like hallways and green spaces.

· Food & water dishes (and food of course!) - A mat to place them on also keeps splashes from damaging your floors.

· Treats - Keep reading for a fun dog treat recipe you can make at home!

· Dog bed - Give your new furry friend a comfy spot to call his own to help him acclimate.

· Toys - Make sure he knows your belongings aren’t chewable, and pick up your pet some toys that are just for him!

· Training pads - These can greatly help to avoid messes in your apartment and make potty training easier!

· Cleaning supplies - Some messes are inevitable with a puppy or even a full-grown dog in a new space! Grab some disinfecting wipes and carpet stain remover to start.

· Healthcare - Find a veterinarian to help you out with vaccines, flea and tick prevention and other health tips.

Exercise

If you are planning to get a dog, you may already know that exercise is a key part of keeping your pet (and you!) happy. Especially for apartment-dwellers with no designated yard of their own, your dog will need to be taken out for each potty break, which is an outing all it’s own, but regular exercise will help keep Fido fit and healthy!

Exercise also helps with anxiety in pets. Running or walking, sniffing and socialization is an important part of a dog’s health to keep him from getting ‘stir crazy’ - just like humans, they need activity and variety. If you’re gone for extended periods of time, you may experience accidents or destruction if your dog has too much excess energy.

Head out for regular walks or try a trip to the dog park if you have a playful pup!

DIY’s

Give your dog an extra dose of love by making your own dog treats! Your furry friend will love a special homemade goody, plus an added bonus: you get to choose the ingredients, so you can rest easy knowing they’re safe. Simple and quick dog biscuit recipes or no-hassle frozen treats are an easy way to start making your pet’s snacks. Here’s a two-ingredient recipe perfect for after your walk on a hot day!

Frozen Peanut Butter & Yogurt Dog Treats (via cesarsway.com)

Ingredients

• 32 ounces vanilla yogurt

• 1 cup peanut butter

Directions

1. Melt the peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl

2. Combine the yogurt and melted peanut butter

3. Pour mixture into cupcake papers or plastic ice cube tray

4. Place in the freezer