Nearly two-thirds of Australians own a pet, withnine in 10 owners reporting that their pets have a positive impact on theirlives, according to the latest Pets in Australia report from Animal MedicinesAustralia.
The benefits to humans are many:companionship, improved mental health and even boosted immunity.
In fact, we treat them as family, with half ofall dog and cat owners sharing their beds with their fur babies.
New research has revealed our strangestbehaviours as pet parents and has uncovered what we really think about ourpets.
The 2022 PETstock Pet Parent Report revealsthat dogs have maintained top spot as our most popular pet, with 72 per cent ofAustralians cohabiting with a canine. Cats remain in a comfortable second placeat 45 per cent ownership and are most common among women living in metropolitanareas.
Animal behaviourist Dr Kate Mornement says shebelieves that there has been a “boom” in pet ownership during the Covidpandemic.
Developers all over Australia are taking notice andalthough owning a pet in an apartment has always been a bit contentious,fortunately, strata by-laws have caught up with the way people want to live.
New developments have been deliberatelylocated near large parks, perfect for dog walking. Designers have included apurpose-built dog park within a development and a doggie washing station topamper pets after muddy walks, as well as interior floor surfaces designed tobe durable when clacked over with scratchy paws
A late 2020 NSW Court of Appeal ruling set aprecedent that now allows dogs, cats (or budgies or guinea pigs) to live in NSWapartments, unless there’s a good reason for them not to.
But what’s clear is that more and more peopleare accepting that pet ownership is a huge part of Australian life, no matterwhere their owners live.
Building owners are forbidden from banningpets without a good reason, although tenants and owners are still expected toseek formal permission and register their pet’s details with strata.
Although it’s commonly believed that smallerdogs are the best picks for small-space living, veterinarian Cherlene Lee saidtemperament was the most important factor to consider when expecting a dog tolive in an apartment. Then, it’s a matter of commitment and planning.
Ms Lee said her top tips for happy indoor petsand happy owners were:
Pick the right pet. If you’re not home much, acat may be better than a dog. Or consider a so-called ‘pocket pet’ like aguinea pig.
With dogs, training is key; whether it’shelping to relieve separation anxiety or interacting with other dogs in theelevator.
Good training will also teach your dog to onlyrelieve themselves when outside, rather than on your balcony.
Invest in an app such as a dog monitor so youcan check in on your pet when you’re out and ensure they are not barking andupsetting your neighbours.
So, summing up, a pet – with dogs and cats themost popular options for apartment living – can provide companionship, improvedmental health and boosted immunity. And with dogs, remember to take their temperamentinto account and get in some training.
