Many people who already have a pet or plan to get one might feel it is difficult or even impossible to live with one in a big city or a densely populated community.
On its daily walks, a dog crosses paths with other people and animals. For example, it is stimulated by smelling new exciting scents, riding a bus, subway, tram, and discovering new environments.
It is undoubtedly possible to care for a pet in the city; you must be prepared to adapt to the urban environment and recognize that you have a greater responsibility towards it and other people.
Therefore, in this article, we have gathered some information that you should consider when adjusting your pet to city life, be prepared for various situations, and protect it along the way.
Experiencing illnesses and injuries
There is a high dog density in major cities, especially in New York City, with an average of 1,200 dogs per 100,000 people.
As one of the busiest metropolises in the world, there is a higher risk that your pet may get injured or contract an illness that requires immediate attention.
For this reason, as an animal owner, you are responsible for ensuring that your animal receives the necessary veterinary care in such an event.
A vet visit can be costly, depending on the extent of the injury or illness.
Just as we choose to insure ourselves, if you live in a hectic city like New York City, you should also consider getting New York City pet insurance, as it offers invaluable protection and access to proper care and treatment in the event of an illness or accident.
It is not only about a financial decision but also about the safety of the animal.
Suffering from separation anxiety
A pet not only provides friendly company for humans but also offers companionship and affection.
The animal also has an excellent need for company and quickly becomes attached to its human family.
However, living in a big and hectic city may require you to leave your pet at home for an extended period during the day. This can cause your pet, especially if you have a dog, to get separation anxiety.
Although cats are often considered independent animals that prefer to be alone and manage on their own, they can also develop this condition.
As the name suggests, separation anxiety means that your pet becomes stressed and anxious when you leave it alone.
This usually applies when you leave the pet for an extended period while you are out. Still, in some cases, pets can become anxious even before you leave the room, which can lead to unwanted and destructive behavior.
It is, therefore, essential that it is not left alone for too long. Start training the young dog to be alone for short periods.
Extend the time as you go. After a good walk and possibly a meal, an adult dog can be isolated for approximately four to five hours. For those who work, it may be appropriate to leave the dog at a dog daycare.
Developing a fear of noises
Noise plays a crucial role in modern cities today. It can range from people communicating loudly with each other on the street to the noise caused by vehicles, as well as fireworks.
You cannot avoid noise when living in a big city. This, unfortunately, can sometimes cause great stress to your pet.
There are many other different sounds that a dog can react to, such as firecrackers, rockets, thunder, shots, and roller skates.
A dog’s fear of sound may be due to it inheriting the fear from its parents. It can also have been a shocking experience, for example, when it was frightened by a firecracker that made it afraid of the sound.
Let your dog stay where it feels safe until the storm or fireworks are over. Ensure the dog has access to enough water, a blanket, and some toys to help them feel secure.
Some put on relaxing music to try to shut out sounds that scare the dog.
Remember that fear is instinctive, so a scared dog may not always react helpfully. Therefore, it is best to try to learn how to help your dog through these episodes as effectively as possible.
Facing a fear of other people and animals
Your pet is likely to have frequent contact with other people and animals when living in a city environment.
Unfortunately, many pets, especially dogs, can easily show signs of being afraid of other animals or people. This may result from a lack of social training as a puppy or negative experiences with other animals and people in the past. Other factors might contribute to this.
If your dog’s fear is not controlled, or if your attention inadvertently exacerbates it at the wrong time, it can lead to aggression problems if your dog feels that they cannot avoid the threatening object, leaving them with no alternative but to fight to protect themselves.
The most important thing to keep in mind in any situation where a dog becomes afraid of children, adults, or other dogs is safety.
It is best to seek professional help from your veterinarian at the first sign of anxiety or fear in your pet, especially in everyday social situations, whether at home or outdoors. That way, you will soon have a confident, happy, and well-behaved dog.
Final thoughts on city life
Cities constitute special environments in different ways. Although they are built for humans, they can also appeal to our pets and become their home.
When adjusting to city life, gradually acclimate your pet to the things it will encounter, such as cars, escalators, elevators, trains, trams, and buses.
This also includes allowing it to stay home alone and helping it cope with unfamiliar sounds it may encounter.
Since many illnesses and injuries can occur, pet insurance is a great way to give you, as their owner, peace of mind.
To make the home and one’s embrace a place of security for the pet is as evident as the fact that it should be treated just as another family member.
Respect and understanding are not only intended for the people we love but also for our animal companions.
Sherryn De Vos is a huge animal lover and enjoys writing about these beautiful little creatures. She’s a content writer at a food and health blog, AvocadoPesto, in her day job, and devotes her time to supporting pet blogs whenever she gets the opportunity.