Not everyone lucked out and found a pet-friendly apartment in their neighborhood and price range. If you signed a not-so-pet-friendly lease but still crave the affection of a pet, have no fear. Here are some unexpected mates you can usually keep in apartment communities with pet restrictions.
Option 1: A Caterpillar
Who Will Love It: Science Enthusiasts and Parents of Young Children
Why They Work:
Caterpillars in captivity used to be a disastrous undertaking attempted by children who punched holes into plastic bottles and thrust the fragile creatures inside them, unwittingly killing them via suffocation. Fortunately, there’s a better way to do it now. The web is brimming with caterpillar and butterfly kits designed to provide captive caterpillars with everything they need to thrive. If cared for correctly, your pet caterpillar will eventually spread its wings and become a beautiful butterfly. Over the course of approximately three weeks, curious science enthusiasts can witness every stage of the breathtaking caterpillar-to-butterfly transformation firsthand. Upon completion of the cycle, caterpillar parents (that means you) can choose to keep or release the butterfly. Don’t feel bad if you decide you’d like to keep your butterfly indoors in a suitable butterfly net or tent. Doing so is currently believed to be a helpful practice for the environment, particularly if you decide to breed your butterflies. With today’s butterfly population at risk of extinction, why not beautify your apartment with a few extra sets of wings?
The Apartment Living Plus Sides in Adopting a Caterpillar
As an eager apartment dweller housing a soon-to-be butterfly, you can enjoy all of the following perks:
-Save money. Chances are high that you’ll be fully reimbursed your security deposit because caterpillars and butterflies will not cause foul odors or property damage. Additionally, these pets are inexpensive to care for and easy to feed with just a few drops of sugar water applied to a Q-tip.
-Save space. Say goodbye to bulky cages and carriers, and hello to a light, airy net that is both aesthetically pleasing and easily stored.
-Save the planet. The satisfaction of knowing you’re working towards boosting the ecological health of the planet makes caterpillar ownership that much more rewarding.
Option 2: A Dragon
Who Will Love It: Sci-Fi Enthusiasts and Up-and-Coming Rockstars
Why They Work:
Inspired by mythical creatures and comprised of eight different types of lizards, what could be more legendary than a pogona, more commonly known as a bearded dragon? Unlike other exotic reptiles, bearded dragons maintain a cool disposition that makes them optimal pets for apartment dwellers. They live well in cages and look awesome on leashes, plus they love to swim and play hide and seek.
They Require a Good Deal of Upkeep
In order to reduce the risk of illness, bearded dragons must be expertly bathed, fed and cared for. They’re definitely not low-maintenance pets. Not only will you require a tropical reptile kit like the one you see above for housing, but you’re likely to also need an ample stock of vitamins, toys and misting equipment.
Option 3: Tropical Fish
Who Will Love It: Daydreamers and Interior Decorators
Why They Work:
Fish are amazing apartment pets. They don’t smell. They don’t bark. They are so quiet that no one will even know they’re there, at least not until they stop by your chic urban dwelling and take a good look around. Colors, textures and rippling waters are what some of the best daydreams are made of. Fish tanks bring this beautiful dreamscape directly into your living room. They are the ultimate statement piece disguised as pets. You can go as simple as a goldfish in a bowl or as elaborate as a portable key pond situated in the center of your living room.
Want to Make Your Fish Tank Stand Out From the Crowd?
Find inspiration in these 40 cool aquarium ideas.
Option 4: A Yellow-Bellied Slider Turtle
Who Will Love It: Die-Hard Animal Enthusiasts
Why They Work:
Generally speaking, most turtles make terrible pets. They’re messy, they’re aggressive, they grow larger than most apartment residents can accommodate and some even have a poisonous bite. The yellow-bellied slider is the exception, not the rule, but in terms of apartment pets, he’s a keeper. Generally omnivorous, this turtle doesn’t require much more than a tank, a basking light and some love to thrive. It’s easy to maintain in captivity and beautiful to look at, and it doesn’t often grow longer than 12 inches.
Apartment Pet Owner Beware
This turtle will likely outlive your lease. It will possibly even outlive you. Yellow-bellied slider turtles are known for longevity. Their current life expectancy is 20-plus years, so while they make for a great starter turtle, please understand that they do not make a short-term commitment. If you are merely purchasing a pet that will hold you over until next year when you can rent someplace that accepts small cats and dogs, it would be in your best interest to revert to option 3.
If, after looking over this list and weighing all the options, you find that you simply cannot live without a traditional pet, like a cat or a dog, you should check out these tips on how to break your lease without breaking the law.