Reside Living is proud to offer pet-friendly apartments throughout the city of Chicago. After all, we know how your pups and kittens can become your best friends.

Before moving into an apartment, it’s important to know some tips and tricks to help your pet ease into the transition.  Outlined below are some common solutions that pet owners use to help make the big move with your furry friend. You'll leave with the know-how needed to practice responsible pet ownership and encourage a safe community for everyone.

Dogs

• Desensitize your dog before you move. If you haven’t lived in an apartment before moving to Chicago, your dog may not be used to the hustle and bustle that comes with living near other people. Take them for walks in busier environments and get them acclimated to a setting with more unexpected noises to minimize reactive barking in your new apartment. Chicago is full of pet-friendly areas for this; check out Montrose Dog Beach for a splash in Lake Michigan or dog-friendly patios like Big Star or Recess . 
• Plan your walking routines. There are so many dog-friendly parks in Chicago and it’s best to plan your walking routine and practice with your pup before move-in, if possible. If your dog is particularly reactive in the presence of other dogs, missing another dog by just one minute on your way out the door can keep yours calm and comfortable. Along with taking your pup on regular walks, take them to your local dog park. Your Reside community may already have one! Your dog might just make some new friends to help with the transition, too. 
• Try a sound machine. In your new apartment, these can help block noises from the outside and minimize any stress or agitation in your pup. Alternatively, try some of your favorite music. 
• Put plants in the window to hide outside distractions. If you live on the first floor, this can make a world of a difference. With your dog highly alert for the first few weeks, this can help block any movement and keep their stress levels low. 
• Keep your dog busy. Hide treats around the house and make their new environment fun and enriching. This will provide them with the mental stimulation that plain exercise won’t. 
• Start an exercise program.  Alongside basic agility lessons, we recommend F itPAWS, or pilates for pets. Their equipment, ranging from stability balls to balance platforms, are easy to do inside and will get your pup tired out for the day.

Cats

• Establishing a routine. Like humans, cats need a consistent routine to feel safe and secure in their own home. Ensuring that meals, playtime, and clean-up are on a fairly set schedule will help your kitty adapt to their new environment much more quickly. Tailoring your routine to include the special activities they love can sweeten the deal and benefit both pet and owner. A few minutes dedicated to brushing their fur keeps the coat healthy and contributes to bonding.
• Give them a safe place to hide. A cat’s natural instinct is to find a safe place to hide when scared. Without it, they can remain in a state of heightened fear, which sometimes leads to unwanted bites and lashing out. Providing a dedicated safe space (or two) for your cat in their new apartment will help them feel protected. Time spent hanging out in solitude also helps kitties stay calm and regain their composure before re-joining the world. Need any ideas for an enclosed nesting space? Shelves, laundry baskets, and cardboard boxes are great places to start.
• Use Pheromone diffusers. A handy product for lowering stress levels and anxiety in felines, pheromone diffusers provide familiarity and stability for cats in the home. These diffusers mimic multiple types of pheromones, however, most products mimic that of the ‘feline facial’ – what’s left behind when a cat rubs their cheek against an object. Available in a variety of forms, they can be purchased as a spray, plug-in, wipes, or collar.

About Pet-Friendly Apartments at Reside Living

Keeping all this in mind will help your dog adapt in no time. For more great tips and assistance, the leasing teams at Reside Living are here to help transition you and your four-legged friend into your new Chicago home. 

Reside Living provides contemporary renovated studio, 1 bed, 2 bed, and 3 bed apartments in some of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Chicago. Live in an intimate boutique-style building or a sleek urban high-rise that is pet friendly and offers pet-centric amenities like outdoor dog runs and indoor dog spas. Our community-centric buildings will feel like home to you and your pets in no time. Learn more about our available apartments and become a part of the Reside Living community, city living redefined.