Six months.
That is how long I spent staring at spreadsheets, Reddit threads, and YouTube videos before I made my decision. I had an actual Excel file—color-coded, embarrassingly detailed—with columns for monthly costs, daily time requirements, square footage calculations, and a row I titled “spontaneity loss” where I tried to quantify how much my social life would change.
The question “should I get a dog in an apartment” consumed me in a way that I now recognize as both completely reasonable and slightly unhinged. I interrogated friends who had dogs. I cornered veterinarians at parties. I read every “apartment dog” article on the internet twice.
What I couldn’t find was an honest answer. Everything was either breathlessly enthusiastic (“any dog can thrive anywhere with enough love!”) or unnecessarily harsh (“don’t get a dog if you don’t have a yard, full stop”). Neither reflected the complicated reality I was trying to prepare for.
So here is the answer I wish someone had given me before I brought Ollie home in his sage green bandana: the real one, with nothing softened and nothing exaggerated.
Should I Get A Dog In An Apartment? (Quick Answer)
When asking yourself should I get a dog in an apartment, the honest answer is yes—but only if you can genuinely commit to 3-4 daily walks regardless of weather, consistent indoor enrichment, and significant lifestyle adjustments. Success depends entirely on your daily routine, financial stability, and willingness to prioritize a pet over convenience.
1. The Guilt Factor: Is It Actually Cruel?
Let me answer this directly because it is the question underneath all the other questions. No. Getting a dog in an apartment is not inherently cruel.
What is potentially cruel is getting a dog in an apartment and then failing to meet that dog’s actual needs—which has nothing to do with square footage and everything to do with your daily commitment. Research consistently shows that dogs prioritize time with their owners and mental engagement over physical space.
But here is the part the research can’t answer for you: are you the person who will actually deliver that time and engagement, every single day, for the next 10-15 years? Not in theory. In practice. On the days when it is raining horizontally and you have a 7 AM meeting and your dog is waiting by the door.
That is the actual question.
2. The Time Audit: Your New Daily Reality
I want you to do something before you continue reading. Open your phone calendar and look at your last two weeks. Not the weeks you imagined—the actual weeks. Look at when you woke up, when you got home, how many nights you worked late, how many times you traveled.
Now overlay this reality with the following non-negotiable schedule:
| Time | Requirement | Duration |
| 6:30–7:00 AM | Morning walk (regardless of weather) | 20-30 min |
| 12:00–12:30 PM | Midday bathroom break | 15-20 min |
| 5:30–6:30 PM | Evening walk and exercise | 30-45 min |
| 9:00–9:30 PM | Final night walk | 15-20 min |
| Throughout day | Feeding, training, indoor enrichment | 30-45 min |
Total minimum daily time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Every day. Without exception.
If you sleep through your alarm, the dog still needs to go outside. If you have a dinner reservation, the dog still needs a walk at 9 PM. If it is a blizzard, the dog still needs to relieve itself.
The Work-from-Home Illusion
Many people calculate their time commitment assuming they work from home, and therefore they are “always there” for the dog. Working from home with a dog is not the same as being available to a dog.
In fact, it creates its own specific challenge: the dog can see you and hear you, but you are mentally unavailable. This can generate frustration and attention-seeking behaviors.
The Puppy Tax
Whatever time you’ve calculated, double it for the first year if you are getting a puppy. Potty training alone requires trips outside every 45-90 minutes in the early weeks. You are setting alarms for 2 AM and 4 AM. You are cleaning up accidents on your hands and knees while simultaneously questioning every decision you’ve ever made.
You will absolutely need a solid [first time dog owner apartment guide] to survive the puppy blues.
3. The Financial Reality of City Dogs
Let’s talk about money, because the budget articles always underestimate this. I tracked every expense related to Ollie for his entire first year. Here is what the actual number looked like:
- One-time setup costs: $4,295 (Breeder/adoption fee, initial vet visits, neuter, microchip, supplies, apartment dog-proofing)
- Year one recurring costs: $7,120 (Premium food, preventatives, grooming, pet insurance, and a midday dog walker 3 days/week)
- Emergency vet visit (intestinal issue): $1,400 (Insurance covered $1,190)
- Total Year One Cash Outlay: $11,625
I am not exaggerating this number to scare you. This is what it actually cost. And I made mostly careful, considered purchasing decisions. Before figuring out should I get a dog in an apartment, you must ask yourself: If the dog needed a $4,000 surgery tomorrow, what would happen?
4. How Your Social Life Will Change
Generic warnings like “your life will change!” aren’t useful. Here is what specifically changed for me:
- Spontaneous overnight plans: Gone, unless you have a reliable dog sitter confirmed in advance.
- Late nights out: If you regularly stay out until 2 AM, you are now someone who goes home by 11 PM to let the dog out.
- Spontaneous travel: Every weekend away requires a solution for your dog. Not an easy solution—a good solution, one you actually trust.
Every trip outside means navigating shared lobbies and confined spaces. Proper [dog elevator training] isn’t optional; it’s a mandatory part of being a good neighbor.
5. Signs You Are NOT Ready
I want to be genuinely useful here. Here are concrete indicators that suggest now is not the right time to get an apartment dog:
Financial Red Flags:
- You currently have less than $2,000 in accessible savings.
- A surprise $1,000 expense would cause you significant financial stress.
- You haven’t budgeted for a midday dog walker or daycare.
Lifestyle Red Flags:
- You travel for work more than two weeks per month.
- Your work schedule regularly keeps you out of the home for 10+ hours.
- Your current apartment hasn’t been confirmed as pet-friendly in writing.
The “Ready or Not” Checklist
Go through this honestly. No one is watching. No one is grading you.
Count your checked boxes:
- 7 checked: You are genuinely ready. Trust yourself.
- 5-6 checked: You are close. Address the unchecked items before proceeding.
- Below 5: Now is not the right time. That is not permanent—it’s just accurate.
If you’ve reached the bottom of this checklist and feel ready, your very first step is researching the [best dog breeds for small apartments] to ensure a good lifestyle match.
If you are actively doing the math on your work schedule, read my complete guide on exactly [how long can you leave a dog alone in an apartment] to see if it fits your lifestyle.
f you are confused by the legal paperwork and hidden fees, you need to read my complete [renters guide to getting a dog] before talking to your landlord.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get a dog in an apartment if I work full-time?
Yes, but it requires a concrete midday care solution—not a hopeful one. A professional dog walker, a reliable neighbor, or doggy daycare isn’t optional for a dog who will otherwise be alone for 8-10 hours. If the honest budget math works, full-time employment alone isn’t a disqualifying factor.
If you don’t have a partner or roommate, mastering [single person dog safety] and building an emergency backup plan is absolutely mandatory before making the commitment.
Is it fair to leave a dog alone in an apartment while at work?
Dogs can adapt to being alone for reasonable periods (generally up to 4-5 hours) when they have adequate exercise before and after. What is unfair is leaving a dog alone for 10+ hours without a midday break or adequate indoor enrichment. The quality of care surrounding the alone time matters most.
How do I know if I am getting a dog for the right reasons?
The cleanest test: remove the dog from the scenario and ask whether your underlying need has an alternative solution. Loneliness? There are human solutions. Wanting a jogging partner? Jogging clubs exist. If what you specifically want is the relationship, the responsibility, and the companionship of a dog—that is the right reason.
References
- ASPCA Pet Statistics:Shelter Intake and Surrender – Documents housing incompatibility and financial constraints as top factors for dog surrenders.
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association: Risk factors for relinquishment of dogs – Peer-reviewed study identifying owner lifestyle mismatches and financial unpredictability as primary risk factors.
