Best Pets for Renters

Wanting a Pet is Normal

It may be hard to tell this reading through rental listings on Zillow, but having a pet is exceedingly normal. In fact, 67% of US households own a pet. Having a pet in a rental unit does have a few other considerations, such as potential to damage the property and forfeit a security deposit. More than that, you need to make considerations for the animal, such as: Do I need access to a wide open area or dog park?

Here are some of the best pets for renters:

• Small Dogs
  • Yorkshire Terrier (AKA “Yorkies”)
    • Non-Aggressive
    • Low Shedding
    • Easily Trained
    • OK in small spaces
    • Can be left alone without barking
  • Havanese
    • Smart
    • Highly Trainable
    • OK with strangers & other pets.
    • Ok in small spaces
    • Medium exercise needs.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
    • Medium exercise needs.
    • Highly playful & affectionate.
    • Friendly to other dogs, pets, & strangers
    • Easy to train – Easy to groom
    • Can be left alone without barking.

Pro Tip: Dog parks can be great, but not having one close by shouldn’t be a deal breaker. Many small and medium sized dogs do just fine as long as they can be walked on a leash at least once or twice a day.

• Guinea Pigs
  • Excellent apartment pets.
  • 4-8 year life span.
  • Good for first-time pet owners.

• Completely contained pet space
  • Requires exercise, but not lots of space.

Here are some unique pets for renters:

• Bearded Dragons
  • Hibernates regularly for weeks at a time.
  • Requires warmth (heat lamp)
  • Good for first-time pet owners
  • Completely contained pet space
  • Requires little exercise.
  • One of the least likely pets to cause damage.
• Sugar Gliders (for experienced pet owners only!)
  • Probably will require a pet deposit.
  • You should have a same-sex pair, otherwise the animal’s health may suffer.
  • Only allowed at some rentals. 
  • Best for apartments or townhomes with lofted ceilings.
  • Need lots of space & daily out-of-cage workouts.
  • Get a young sugar glider – older ones can be territorial.
• Leopard Geckos
  • Usually not a concern for landlords.
  • Extremely low-maintenance.
  • May require periodic sourcing & feeding of small crickets.
  • Can be left along for extended periods.
  • Good for first-time pet owners.

Tips for Pets in Rentals

Fish didn’t make our list here, because many landlords see large volumes of water a big hazard. Some, however, will allow small aquariums for a single goldfish, for example. The magic number seems to be that tanks that are 5 gallons or larger pose a threat. 

Depending on which pet you are planning to have as a roommate, you may want to consider talking with your landlord about any potential paperwork or deposits. Especially if the pet is a larger animal like a dog or cat. Typically, small lizards like geckos pose little threat to the real estate.

Be sure to connect with us @ecampusdotcom on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook for more resources, tips, and some great giveaways! And when it’s time for textbooks, eCampus.com has you covered for all your course material needs at savings up to 90%!