Going off to college and living in the dorms for the first year or two is fun, but once you move into some Ohio University housing that’s off-campus, you might find yourself wanting to get a pet. Or, maybe your parents or guardians are letting you bring one of the family pets with you to school—after all, it’s hard being away from your favorite pet for almost an entire year.
Either way, you’ll have to do some searching for off-campus student housing that’s pet-friendly—or, if you have a dog, a pet-friendly rental home with a big yard for them to run around in and burn off excess energy. There are also some general rules and responsibilities about renting with an animal in an apartment that you’ll want to understand before committing to take your pet along to school with you or adopt a new one, and not all pet policies are created equally. Here’s what you need to know before bringing along your dog and cat to your Ohio University apartment.
Finding the Best Spot for You and Your Pet
When you’re searching for the perfect university rental apartment for you and your pet, it’s important to look over the pet policy as carefully as possible. Not every rental company or landlord with have the same policy. Pay attention to breed and weight restrictions, pet fees, and any limits on the number of pets allowed in your unit. If that East State Street apartment you love doesn’t allow any pets over 20lbs, you’re going to have a hard time explaining a St. Bernard—if a student rental home doesn’t allow what pet you have, it’s best to move on and look elsewhere.
You’ll also want to consider location when you’re thinking about bringing a pet to school. For example, if you’re bringing your family cat along, you might not want that student apartment right on Court Street with a ton of foot traffic. Instead, a quieter area that’s pulled back from the bustle of campus could be a good idea. Maybe even look for a rental home with a fantastic view of bird-and-squirrel-filled trees for some passive entertainment for your cat while you’re off at classes.
If you have a dog, you’re probably going to want to take them out on walks and have extra space for them to run around. Finding a larger home—like a one or two-bedroom rental house—will provide plenty of space indoors, and larger rentals might also come with a fenced-in backyard for them to run around and play in. Similarly, any rental on the edge of town close to the Hocking River is bound to have green areas for your dog to play in, and it’ll also give you a scenic walk when it’s time to take your dog out.
Tips for Being a Responsible Pet Parent and Renter
Once you find your pet-friendly rental apartment close to campus, you’ll still want to be responsible with your pet by keeping them up to date on vaccinations and taking steps to ensure that they’re well-behaved and don’t cause any problems either in your Ohio University housing or around the neighborhood.
Keeping your pet up to date on vaccinations not only keeps them healthy when coming into contact with any other animals in your building or neighborhood, but it also reduces the risk of communal outbreaks of easily-transmissible diseases like kennel cough.
You’ll also want to make sure your pet is well-behaved when they’re living in your off-campus housing. Depending on what kind of pet you have, this part might look a little bit different—for dogs, you’ll want to make sure they’re not barking and disturbing any neighbors and that they’re able to be taken out on a semi-regular schedule to relieve themselves. When they’re taken out, make sure to keep them on a leash, and if they’re generally not friendly towards other animals, pull the leash in tighter to keep them nearby.
Since most cats don’t venture outside, you’ll want to make sure they’re on their best behavior indoors. Invest in some go-to scratch pads or cat towers for them to keep them entertained—and to keep their claws out of any college rental home carpeting.
Easing Their Transition to a New Space
Just like us, moves can be stressful on our pets, causing them to act uncharacteristically or scared when they first get to a new space. Creating a pet-friendly space and setting up a designated area with their thing—a bed, toys, food bowls, and maybe some treats thrown in—will give them a spot they’re “familiar” with and make them feel more secure.
For anxious animals, there are plenty of calming treats or pet CBD products that can help ease any tension centering around adjusting to a new space. Given enough time and personal space, your pet should become more sociable again once they get used to their new stomping grounds. Soon enough, they’ll be ruling the roost at your off-campus university home.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding the best rental apartment in the city for you and your pet. And remember—if you ever have any questions on the pet policy or about adding a pet to the lease, be sure to get in contact with your rental company, and they’ll be able to help clarify things.