Best Pets for Apartments Living-Top 10 List

Sep 13, 2021 | Pets

Best Pets for Apartments
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Best Pets for Apartments: Top 10 List for Apartment Living (2026)

What are the best pets for apartments? The best pets for apartments are quiet, happy in a small space and allowed by your lease. Top picks include an adult indoor cat, a calm small or low-energy dog, a betta fish, a leopard gecko, a pair of rats or guinea pigs, a corn snake and a budgie. Noise, neighbors and building rules matter as much as size.

Apartment life adds limits a house does not: shared walls, stairs or elevators, no private yard and a landlord’s pet policy. This top 10 list ranks the best pets for apartments by how well they fit those limits, then covers lease rules, noise, and how to keep both your pet and your neighbors happy.

Key takeaways

  • Check your lease and building rules before you choose any pet.
  • An adult indoor cat is one of the easiest mammal pets for apartment living.
  • For dogs, energy level and barking matter more than size, the AKC notes.
  • Fish, geckos and snakes are nearly silent and need little floor space.
  • Rats and guinea pigs suit apartments but do best in pairs.
  • Birds and night-active rodents can bother neighbors through thin walls.

Best Pets for Apartments at a Glance

Pet Noise for neighbors Space needed Typical lifespan
1. Adult indoor cat Low Litter area, scratching post, climbing space Many years
2. Calm small or low-energy dog Low to moderate Bed, crate, daily walks Varies by breed
3. Betta fish Silent 5-gallon heated tank 3–5 years
4. Leopard gecko Silent 10 gallons for one, larger preferred 10–15 years
5. Corn snake Silent 36 x 18 x 18 in for adults 15–20+ years
6. Pet rats (pair) Low Large multi-level cage 2–3 years
7. Guinea pigs (pair) Low to moderate 10 sq ft for two 6–9 years
8. Budgie Moderate (chatter) At least 18 x 18 in cage 7–15 years
9. Hamster Low (wheel at night) Large single cage 18–24 months
10. Hermit crabs (group) Very low 5 gallons per 2 crabs Around 10 years

Noise ratings are our editorial judgment; space and lifespan figures come from the care sources linked below.

Best pets for apartments: a white cat sitting on a window in a Brooklyn apartment
An indoor cat with a window perch is one of the best pets for apartments. Photo: James Fitzgerald / Unsplash.

Before You Choose: Lease, Noise and Space

The best pets for apartments are the ones your building allows and your neighbors barely notice. Check these four things first.

  • Lease rules: Read your lease for pet limits on type, number, size or breed, and for deposits or monthly pet rent. Get any approval in writing.
  • Noise: Shared walls carry barking, chirping and wheel squeaks. Think about your pet’s active hours and your neighbors’ sleep.
  • Space: Measure where an adult-size enclosure, litter box or crate will go, and check that floors can hold a filled aquarium.
  • Access: Stairs, elevators and the distance to a patch of grass matter for dogs, especially puppies and seniors.

Some animals also have local legal limits. Check city and state rules before choosing an exotic pet.

Top 10 Best Pets for Apartments

1. Adult indoor cat

Cats do not need walks and use a litter box, which makes them a natural fit for apartment living. The ASPCA recommends keeping cats indoors, scooping the litter box daily and washing it weekly, providing a sturdy scratching post at least three feet tall, and trimming nails every two to three weeks. A window perch and some vertical space can help an indoor cat stay active. If you love cats, see our guide to the smallest cat in the world.

2. A calm small or low-energy dog

The American Kennel Club notes that size is not the only factor: some large breeds are low-energy and happy to relax indoors, while some small breeds need lots of activity. It suggests choosing a dog that does not bark excessively and is polite with people in elevators, stairways and lobbies. Daily walks are still a must.

3. Betta fish

A betta is silent and fits on a sturdy shelf. A Chewy betta care sheet lists a minimum 5-gallon tank, a heater for 76–81°F water, a filter and a lifespan of about 3 to 5 years.

4. Leopard gecko

Leopard geckos are quiet and calm. VCA Animal Hospitals says one can live in a 10-gallon tank with a screen top, kept around the mid-80s °F, and live 10 to 15 years. Bigger enclosures are better, and they eat live insects. Curious about their mouths? Read do leopard geckos have teeth.

5. Corn snake

A corn snake makes no sound and eats only every week or two as an adult. The Phoenix Herpetological Society recommends at least a 36 x 18 x 18 inch enclosure for adults and calls corn snakes escape artists, so a locking lid is essential, especially with neighbors next door.

6. Pet rats

Rats are smart, social and quiet. VCA veterinarians say rats are usually happier with another rat, can learn tricks and rarely bite when socialized. They live about 2 to 3 years and are most active in the evening and at night.

7. Guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are gentle and social. A Seattle Animal Shelter care sheet recommends at least 10 square feet for two, daily vitamin C and a calm spot away from loud noise. They do squeak and whistle, so place the cage on an inside wall if your building has thin walls.

8. Budgie

Budgies are small, manageable parrots for apartments, but they do chatter. Writing for PetMD, Sean Perry, DVM, says budgies live about 7 to 15 years and need a cage of at least 18 by 18 inches. Keep the cage away from shared walls if neighbors are sensitive to sound.

9. Hamster

A hamster needs little space, but VCA notes it is mostly active at night, runs hard on its wheel, should be housed alone and lives about 18 to 24 months. A silent wheel keeps both you and your neighbors happier.

10. Hermit crabs

Hermit crabs are among the quietest options. PetSmart’s care guide recommends keeping them in pairs or groups, at least 5 gallons per 2 crabs, humidity of 70–80% and spare shells for growth.

For more choices, compare our lists of easy pets to take care of and cool pets to have in your room.

Pet Care Tip: Before signing a lease, ask the landlord for the pet policy in writing, including deposits, pet rent and any breed or size limits. It is much easier to plan around clear rules than to fix a dispute later.

Tips for Dogs in Apartments

Dogs can be some of the best pets for apartments with the right routine. A Dogster guide reviewed by Luqman Javed, DVM, suggests:

  • Walk your dog at least twice a day, ideally before you leave and in the evening.
  • Keep walks and meals at about the same times each day; dogs like routine.
  • Lay rugs to dampen the sound of running and jumping.
  • Reward quiet behavior and get your dog used to normal building noises.
  • Start training and socialization early so hallway and elevator meetings go smoothly.
  • Consider a secure balcony potty spot if stairs or elevators make quick trips hard.

Bringing home a puppy? Our guide on how to potty train a puppy in an apartment walks you through it.

Keeping Neighbors Happy With the Best Pets for Apartments

Common mistake Why it matters Better approach
Skipping the lease check Can lead to fees or having to rehome the pet Get pet approval in writing first
Choosing a dog by size alone Energy and barking matter more Match energy level to your routine
Putting a bird cage on a shared wall Chatter carries to neighbors Use an inside wall
Ignoring night activity Wheels and scratching echo at night Use silent wheels and soft bedding
Loose lids on snake or gecko tanks An escaped reptile can end up next door Use locking lids

Hygiene matters in shared buildings too. The CDC says reptiles can carry Salmonella even when healthy, advises washing hands after handling them or their habitats, and does not recommend reptiles for homes with children under 5.

When to call a vet right away: Labored breathing, bleeding, collapse, a pet that stops eating for more than a day, or any suspected poisoning needs prompt care. If your vet is closed, go to a 24/7 emergency animal hospital. For a possible poisoning, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435; a consultation fee may apply.

7 questions to ask before getting an apartment pet

  1. Does my lease allow this pet, and what are the fees?
  2. How much noise will it make, and when?
  3. Where will the cage, tank, crate or litter box go?
  4. How far is the nearest grass or dog-friendly area?
  5. Who will care for it when I travel?
  6. Is there a vet nearby who treats this species?
  7. Can I commit for its whole lifespan, including future moves?

Example Scenario (illustrative)

Aisha rents a one-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia with a strict noise policy. She skips a puppy and a parrot, gets written approval for a cat, and adopts a calm 4-year-old from a shelter. A window perch, a tall scratching post and a covered litter box in the bathroom keep her cat happy, and her neighbors never notice.

What most owners get wrong

Many people rank the best pets for apartments by size alone. In practice, noise, activity hours and lease rules decide whether a pet works. A quiet large dog may suit an apartment better than a barky small one, and a silent gecko may suit thin walls better than a cheerful budgie.

Best Pets for Apartments FAQs

What is the best pet for a small apartment?

For most people, an adult indoor cat or a betta fish. Both are quiet, need little floor space and do not need outdoor time.

What are the best dogs for apartments?

Calm dogs that do not bark much. The AKC notes that energy level matters more than size, and some large, low-energy breeds do well indoors.

Are cats good apartment pets?

Yes. Cats do not need walks, and the ASPCA recommends keeping them indoors with a scratching post and a clean litter box.

What are the quietest pets for apartments?

Fish, leopard geckos, corn snakes and hermit crabs make almost no noise, so they suit thin walls.

What pets are good for small spaces?

Betta fish, leopard geckos, pairs of rats, hermit crabs and adult cats all fit small homes with the right setup.

Are rabbits good apartment pets?

They can live indoors, but the House Rabbit Society says rabbits need 2 to 4 hours of daily exercise in a bunny-proofed space and about as much care as dogs and cats.

Do I need my landlord’s permission for a fish tank?

Many leases cover aquariums, especially large ones, because of weight and water damage risk. Check your lease and ask in writing.

Final Verdict: Best Pets for Apartments

The best pets for apartments are quiet, space-smart and allowed by your lease. An adult indoor cat, a calm dog with a steady walking routine, a betta fish, a leopard gecko, a corn snake or a pair of rats or guinea pigs all fit apartment living well. Check the rules, plan for noise and choose a pet for its whole lifespan.

Your next steps

  1. Read your lease and ask your landlord about the pet policy.
  2. New to pets? Start with our guide to low-maintenance pets for beginners.
  3. Explore more small-pet guides in our Other Pets section.

Share your apartment pet setup with other owners on our Pets Store Home Facebook page.

About the author: Written and reviewed by the Pets Store Home Editorial Team, a group of pet owners and animal lovers who check every guide against trusted US veterinary, public-health and animal-welfare sources. This article is general information, not a substitute for professional veterinary or legal advice. Always talk to your veterinarian about your own pet’s health.

How we checked this guide: Cat care comes from the ASPCA; apartment dog advice from the AKC and a DVM-reviewed Dogster guide; small-pet figures from VCA Animal Hospitals, PetMD, the Seattle Animal Shelter and the Phoenix Herpetological Society; betta and hermit crab figures from Chewy and PetSmart; rabbit care from the House Rabbit Society; and hygiene advice from the CDC. Noise ratings are our editorial judgment. We review this article every 12 months, or sooner if guidance changes.

Last reviewed: October 2026.