Pets in Apartments: A Survival Guide

Written By

Sophie Kininmonth

published on

February 5, 2026

Updated on

February 5, 2026

Most people look up apartment pets when they’re weighing up a new animal (or a new lease) and trying to avoid the usual flashpoints: noise complaints, damage, and rules that quietly sit in the fine print. In a building where walls are shared and outdoor space is rationed, small problems travel fast.

Apartment life with pets can work extremely well, but it works best when you choose an animal that suits the space, understand the tenancy and strata rules that apply to your address, and set up daily routines that keep your pet exercised, settled and predictable.

Apartment life with pets: the basics

Australia is a nation of animal keepers. The most recent national survey from Animal Medicines Australia reports around 73% of Australian households have a pet.¹ That includes plenty of people living in units and apartments, where the “pet question” is less about whether animals can cope, and more about whether humans plan well enough for close-quarters living.

In practical terms, apartment-friendly pet ownership comes down to three things: space (what your pet can do indoors), sound (what your neighbours can hear), and rules (what your landlord and building will allow).

Choosing the right pet for apartment living

“Small” isn’t the same as “suited”. A tiny dog can still be high-energy and vocal, and a large, calm dog can be quiet and steady indoors—if it gets enough exercise and rest. Temperament, age, health and daily routine matter more than breed labels.

Before you commit, look for a realistic match between the animal and your week:

Time alone: how many hours the pet will be by itself on a typical weekday.
Noise tolerance: your building’s layout and how quickly sound carries through corridors and balconies.
Exercise access: nearby footpaths, parks, and safe routes for regular walks.
Indoor enrichment: space for scratching posts, puzzle feeders, training, and play.

Birds and dogs are often the noisiest apartment companions. Fish are quiet but still demand steady maintenance and a plan for power outages and holidays. Cats can do well indoors, but they still need daily play, climbing and scratching options to prevent boredom from spilling into night-time noise or destructive habits.

Rules first: renting and strata (apartments) in Australia

In apartments, you may be dealing with two separate sets of rules: your rental agreement (landlord/agent) and your building’s by-laws (owners corporation/strata).

Victoria: renters must use the pet request process

In Victoria, renters must request permission using the approved form. The rental provider has 14 days to respond; if they want to refuse, they must apply to VCAT within that timeframe, and if they don’t respond in time, consent is effectively taken to be given.² Consumer Affairs Victoria also notes there is no additional “pet bond”.²

Queensland: pets can’t be refused without a legislated reason

In Queensland, from 1 October 2022, lessors must respond in writing within 14 days, and can only refuse a pet request on specific grounds set out in the legislation (for example: the property is unsuitable, it would breach a law or by-law, or it would pose an unacceptable health and safety risk). If there is no valid response within 14 days, the request is taken to be approved.³

NSW strata: blanket “no pets” by-laws aren’t valid

In NSW strata schemes, an owners corporation can’t simply ban pets outright. NSW Government guidance states pets can be kept, as long as they do not disturb other residents, and by-laws banning all pets are not valid.⁴ That same guidance notes strata can’t charge a pet fee or bond, or require insurance, just for keeping a pet.⁴

Assistance animals are not “pets” under anti-discrimination law

Assistance animals are treated differently from companion animals. Under the Disability Discrimination Act framework, the legal concept is tied to an animal trained to assist a person with disability, not an animal providing companionship only.⁵ If this applies to you, get advice early, because the documentation and the rules are different from standard “pet permission”.

Setting up a pet-friendly apartment

A good apartment setup is simple and durable. It doesn’t need to be expensive, but it should be deliberate.

Create “zones” your pet can predict

Resting zone: bed or crate in a quiet corner away from the front door and hallway traffic.
Feeding zone: easy-clean surface, water always available, bowls that won’t skid.
Toilet zone (if needed): litter tray location that’s private, ventilated and consistent.
Activity zone: a small area for play, training, and puzzle feeding.

Predictability matters in close quarters. Animals that know where to rest, eat and play are less likely to pace, scratch, vocalise, or invent their own entertainment at 2 am.

Choose materials that forgive everyday mess

Opt for washable throws, wipeable hard-floor mats under bowls, and furniture fabrics that don’t trap hair. If you have a cat, provide scratching surfaces early and in more than one spot—near sleeping areas and near the living space—rather than hoping the lounge will be ignored.

Exercise and stimulation: the quiet engine of apartment harmony

In apartments, the lack of a backyard doesn’t ruin pet ownership. What causes trouble is the gap between how much stimulation an animal needs and how much it actually gets.

For dogs, daily movement isn’t optional. The Animal Medicines Australia survey found many dog owners report walking or exercising their dogs at least once a day.¹ In an apartment setting, that daily outlet is often the difference between a settled dog and one that barks at every hallway sound.

For cats, regular play sessions, climbing options, and food puzzles help keep indoor life from turning stale.

Managing noise and neighbour complaints

Noise is the most common trigger for conflict because it crosses walls and floors without asking. Start by assuming your pet’s normal vocalisations will sound louder to the neighbour trying to sleep through them.

Practical ways to reduce barking and general noise

Meet needs first: a dog that is under-exercised or bored is more likely to bark.
Train the routine: reward calm behaviour, practise short departures, and build up time alone gradually for animals that vocalise when separated.
Manage the environment: close blinds if outside movement triggers barking; use white noise inside if corridor sound sets your pet off; block access to balconies if it fuels reactivity.
Act early: if barking is increasing, treat it as a behaviour problem to solve, not a personality trait to tolerate.

If you live in NSW strata and a dispute develops, NSW Fair Trading may be involved in dispute resolution pathways, and NSW Government guidance outlines practical first steps (checking by-laws and attempting an initial conversation).⁴ For broader strata disputes in NSW, Fair Trading offers mediation for many strata matters, including pets and noise.⁶

Care and cleaning in small spaces

Small homes amplify smells and fur. The fix is rhythm, not perfection.

Daily: quick vacuum of high-shed areas; wipe food and water spills; remove pet waste promptly.
Weekly: wash bedding and throws; clean litter trays thoroughly; mop hard floors.
Grooming: regular brushing reduces hair, dander and matting, and makes “mystery smells” less likely.

If allergies are present, focus on cleaning and ventilation first. Claims about “hypoallergenic breeds” are often oversold; individual variation is huge, and no animal is truly allergen-free.

Socialising apartment pets (without making it a spectacle)

In apartments, socialising is mostly about calm exposure: lifts, corridors, the sound of doors, neighbours passing at close range. The aim isn’t to make your pet “friendly with everyone”, but to make everyday encounters uneventful.

Keep early introductions brief and controlled (on lead, or with secure carrier management where relevant).
Use distance as a tool. Calm observation from far away often works better than close contact.
If your building has shared spaces, practise quiet transitions through them rather than lingering.

If conflicts escalate in NSW strata, formal pathways may include Fair Trading mediation and, in some cases, tribunal processes.⁶

Final thoughts: what “responsible” looks like in an apartment

Apartment pets thrive when their days are structured: movement, rest, food, and small pockets of training and play. Rules are checked early, in writing, before an animal arrives. And neighbours are treated as part of the habitat—people sharing the same air and walls.

A pet is a long-term commitment. In an apartment, it’s also a long-term relationship with your building. When you plan for both, the whole place gets quieter.

References

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