Without pets, life would be far less sweet. In fact, nearly 70 percent of American households include a pet, and the majority by far are dogs. Apartments.com reports that searches for pet-friendly apartments will be around 75 percent for residents with dogs and 25 percent for those with cats.

Happily, more and more apartment communities are welcoming pets, and even adding pet-friendly amenities. Of course, sharing an apartment with your pet comes with some requirement and some lifestyle challenges, too. With a bit of preparation, care, and commitment, you and your pet can enjoy living in an apartment community. Here are a few things you need to think about when you’re thinking of living in an apartment with pets.

Pet Deposit & Pet Rent. Deposits and monthly rental fees help offset any possible damages and general wear and tear due to pets. You may also have to sign a pet agreement form saying you will abide by the property rules and regulations such as keeping your dog leashed in public areas, cleaning up any accidents and making sure your dog doesn’t get too noisy and disturb the neighbors.

Restrictions apply. Age, size, weight, and breed may all come into play when you’re looking for pet-friendly apartments. Some communities will restrict pet residents to adult dogs as they tend to be less destructive than very young animals. You may also see restrictions that limit pets to 25 pounds or less.

Most apartment communities will also limit renters to keeping no more than two pets per apartment. The breed of dog allowed to live in the community will also be closely monitored and regulated to reduce potential risks. Breeds that are high energy, noisy or deemed aggressive will not be welcome.

Common dog breed restrictions for apartments include but are not limited to:

• Akitas
• Boxers
• Mastiffs
• Cane Corsos
• Chow Chows
• Dalmatians
• Dobermans
• German Shepherds
• Huskies
• Malamutes
• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers

The First Floor is Your Friend. Trust us. Living with dogs in an apartment can present some big challenges, especially if they need to make frequent trips outside. If you’re living on a higher floor with a pet that’s always wanting or needing to go outside, it’s going to get very old, very quickly.

Avoid urine and other stains and pet odors that will obliterate your pet deposit. Establishing a regular potty break routine means fewer potential accidents in the apartment. Can’t live on the first floor? If you have a balcony, use potty pads or special ‘faux grass’ mats/pads for pet’s emergency bathroom breaks.

Training, Training, Training! Obedience classes help pets become better canine citizens and improve overall behavior. Take extra time to get your pet used to the apartment community and your new living environment. Get to know the people (and pets) who are living around you.

Hire a Dog Walker or Use Doggie Daycare. If you work outside of your home or are gone for extended periods of time, your pet will be alone for long periods without a break. Consider hiring a dog walker to take your pet outside for a good bit of exercise and a potty break. Doggie daycare is another great option – even if it’s only 2-3 times per week. Your pup will get to play with friends all day as well as take regular potty breaks. The socialization also helps make better canine citizens.

Look for Apartment Communities With Pet Amenities. Pet-friendly communities bring pet-loving people and their animals together. Look for on-site amenities like dog parks, pet waste receptacles, cat perches, and pet wash stations. Some communities will even incorporate dog walking and doggie daycare services. Residents can get out to mix, mingle and meet new friends at Yappy Hours and other pet-friendly events.

When you have the right apartment community, along with an appropriate mix of people and pets, good training and pet-friendly amenities, it’s a most wonderful life. Check out our pet-friendly communities here.