Living with Pets in an Apartment: 11 Practical Tips

In Turkey’s major cities, the vast majority of pet owners live in apartment buildings. From Kadıköy in Istanbul to Çankaya in Ankara and Alsancak in İzmir, the challenges are similar: limited square footage, narrow balconies, neighbors, elevators, and the lack of a courtyard. That uncle who once claimed owning a pet in an apartment building was impossible said this: “You can’t keep a bird’s wings cooped up in an apartment.” A bird, perhaps, but dogs and cats are entirely possible—with the right practical tips. Here’s an 11-point guide.

"1"Choosing the right breed is half the battle.

Not every breed is suitable for apartment living. High-energy breeds like Huskies, Border Collies, and Jack Russells can turn an apartment into a nightmare—resulting in pets that channel their energy into furniture, bark constantly, and scratch at walls. Breeds like Cavaliers, Shih Tzus, Maltese, and French Bulldogs are genetically better suited for apartments. On the cat side, Persians, Ragdolls, and British Shorthairs are calm; Bengals and Siamese are high-energy. The choice comes down to quality of life.

"2"Make the most of vertical space — square footage isn’t enough; look at cubic volume.

A 60-square-meter apartment can be turned into a “cat paradise”: a cat tree, wall shelves, a pillow on the windowsill, a blanket over the bookshelf. Cats are vertical creatures; when you count the upper levels, the space triples. For dogs, floor space is critical, but utilizing hallways, combining the living room and bedroom, and having a well-organized resting area are important. Rethink your furniture to accommodate your pets.

"3"Communicate with your neighbors in advance.

Before bringing a pet, learn the building’s pet policy (decisions by the homeowners’ association, and if possible, the wording in the written lease). Get to know your upstairs, side, and downstairs neighbors, and let them know: “I’m bringing a dog/cat; please let me know immediately if it causes any disturbance.” Most of the time, there won’t be any issues—but if you’ve established communication beforehand, any problems that arise can be resolved through conversation rather than conflict. Neighbors are allies, not enemies.

"4"Take noise management seriously.

Due to the construction quality of Turkish apartment buildings, sound insulation is poor. If a barking Karamel repeatedly disturbs the sleep of the person living upstairs, that’s a valid complaint. In puppy training, the “quiet” command, alone-time training, and professional intervention for excessive barking are essential. Laying down carpets reduces footstep noise. If there’s a barking problem at night, seek help from a professional trainer.

"5"Establish a clear system for potty training.

Dogs should go outside at least 3–4 times a day—morning, noon, evening, and before bedtime. If your work schedule doesn’t allow for this, use a pet sitter, dog walker, or family help. Number of litter boxes for cats: number of cats + 1 (two cats = three litter boxes). They should be placed in a quiet corner away from odor-sensitive areas like the kitchen or bathroom. The litter should be scooped every two days and completely replaced once a week.

"6"Make the balcony safe — it could save a life.

Cases of cats falling from apartment balconies are still very common in Turkey. The belief that “my cat won’t fall” is wrong—they might jump after a bird or leap out of fear. Be sure to install a safety net or window protection system (professional services cost between 2,000 and 5,000 TL in most cities). If the balcony is turned into a “cat paradise,” it offers both sun and fresh air as well as safety—but only if it’s netted.

"7"Put your daily exercise plan in writing.

A dog living in an apartment can’t burn off energy on its own as much as a dog living in a yard — it depends on your effort. A 45–90-minute walk per day (depending on the breed) is standard. Leash walks, playtime, park visits, and long walks on weekends. Insufficient exercise = a pet that chews furniture, barks, or becomes depressed. Don’t leave the cat out of exercise either: 10–15 minutes of interactive play twice a day.

"8"Train them to use elevators and stairs.

For apartment dogs, elevators are often a source of stress. Introduce them to a few calm rides while they’re still puppies, starting in a backpack or carrier, then on a leash. If there are other people in the elevator, keep the leash short and have the dog sit next to you. Some buildings now legally require specific elevator rules for pets. Using the stairs isn’t ideal for large breeds’ joints and can negatively affect a puppy’s development—they should be carried until they’re at least 6 months old.

"9"Don’t overdo the scent and cleaning routine, but don’t neglect it either.

A home with a pet should never be cleaned with the goal of making it “smell like there’s no pet at all”—that would mean an excess of chemicals harmful to your pet’s health. But strong odors, chewed furniture, and piles of fur are also unacceptable. Vacuuming 2–3 times a week, deep cleaning once a month, washing the pet bed once a week, and washing food bowls daily are essential. Enzyme-based cleaners are pet-friendly.

"10"Don’t neglect your pet’s socialization.

The biggest risk of apartment living: isolation. A pet left alone for 5 hours a day, without interacting with other animals or running in the park, will eventually develop behavioral issues. At least 2–3 park visits a week, controlled interactions with other pets, and—if possible—”dog socialization” classes are critical in the first year. For your cat: a window-viewing area, interactive toys, and 20 minutes of playtime daily.

"11"Include your pet in your fire, earthquake, and evacuation plans.

Turkey is an earthquake-prone country—a fact often overlooked. In addition to your earthquake kit, pack the following for your pet: a carrier (pre-trained and familiarized), microchip information on hand, 3 days’ worth of food and water, emergency medication (if applicable), your veterinarian’s contact info and emergency hotline, and a spare leash. Place the carrier nearby when you go to bed at night. Include your pet in fire evacuation drills.

In conclusion,

Pet life in an apartment is entirely possible with the right breed choice, good neighbor communication, regular exercise, and optimizing indoor space. The real obstacle isn’t square footage; it’s the owner’s time, planning, and commitment. A windowsill for Pamuk, a daily park routine for Karamel, a vertical cat tree for Boncuk—small details make a big difference. An apartment isn’t a disadvantage; it’s an equation that needs to be solved.