How does tiny house living impact pets?

Living in a tiny house is all the rage, as it means you can cut down on your possessions while living your best life. True happiness to you might be relaxing with your favorite things, no unnecessary frills. You should remember your favorite thing of all: your furry best friend.

Generally speaking, tiny house living impacts pets differently, though you may not see a positive or negative difference in your animal. For example, cats can thrive in just about any space, as they’re also good animals for apartments. Some dogs might love life in a tiny house, but it all depends on what your pup can handle.

What Is Considered a Tiny House?

Tiny home living can be restrictive, so it isn’t for everyone. A tiny house is under 500 square feet, whether in a permanent or temporary location. Ultimately, as long as it adheres to that requirement, your home can be considered tiny — and you may experience some challenges moving from a regular house to a much smaller one.

Expect to declutter a lot to move into a tiny house. While you might rid yourself of decorations or clothes that no longer serve you, there’s one thing you absolutely have to consider: your pet. How does tiny house living impact pets? Will they feel confined in a smaller space? The move isn’t just for you — it’s for the good of your pup, too.

Can Dogs Live in a Tiny House?

Moving to a new space of any kind will require an adjustment period for your dog. They’ll need to get used to their new living situation, which might mean they’ll need time to explore the entirety of the tiny house. This way of living might be better suited for some dogs than others, so you should see how your dog interacts with smaller spaces before making any sort of commitment.

1. Toy Breeds

If you’ve ever seen a Chihuahua or a Dachshund, you’ve seen a breed from this group of canines. Toy breeds, in general, are highly recommended for apartment living and other small spaces due to their sizes and dispositions. Even the rowdiest Toy dogs can feel at home in a small space, something you may not get from a larger dog with more energy.

2. Older Dogs

Older dogs have less energy than their younger counterparts. Because your senior pup may just want to laze around and spend time with you rather than play, you can almost be certain they’ll thrive in a smaller environment. Just make sure they get enough activity, and you’ll be able to keep them comfortable while navigating your tiny home.

3. Calm Dogs

If you have a calmer dog, they might be the perfect addition to your minimalistic life. Very active dogs or ones with frequent bouts of hyperactivity might not do well in a tiny home, since there isn’t a lot of space to accommodate them. Calmer dogs who can get their energy out when you leave the house are an excellent choice for this lifestyle.

How to Acclimate Your Dog to a Tiny Home

Even if your dog is the right fit for the tiny house, you’ll still have to make them feel comfortable staying in it. They’ll likely have much less space than they’re used to, especially if they formerly had a yard or a larger area to roam around. You can take small steps to ensure your switch to tiny house living impacts pets correctly and encourages them to take advantage of their new home.

1. Use Calming Colors

Dogs see the world in shades of blue and yellow, so their vision isn’t exactly as black-and-white as many humans may think. Most cool colors will look blue to your dog, so you may want to lean into the blue tones for your tiny home.

Follow color theory when designing your space, especially if you want it to be comfortable for you and your pets. Blue is seen as a universally calming color that can make you feel peaceful, but too much of it might make you feel sad. Try to find a steady balance between blues and complementary colors for your house.

2. Train Them How to Use Stairs

If you plan to maximize space in your tiny home, it will likely involve stairs. Once your dog knows how to use stairs, it can open up the house and make it feel larger. Teaching them how to use stairs is also incredibly important if you plan to sleep on a loft and want your dog to share the space with you. The stairs in your tiny home might be smaller than the ones they’re used to, so practice with them early and often.

3. Plan for Exercise

Every dog needs exercise, especially the ones who live in tiny homes and don’t have much space indoors. If you have a yard, you can encourage your dog to run around and play with you in it. Otherwise, you’ll have to take your pup out and find adequate exercise for them. Taking them for a run is great exercise for you as well, and it can improve your mood and physical conditioning.

4. Figure Out a Bathing Station

You also need to keep up with your pup’s grooming. Figure out how to keep your pup clean in your tiny house, whether in the shower or a special dog washing station outside. Your pup may not like baths, but they may feel more comfortable knowing there’s a way to keep them clean if they get dirty or have an accident. It’ll also keep you from scrambling for a way to wash them, which could put more stress on both you and them.

5. Designate a Space Just for Them

Just like how you prefer to have your own private space, your dog may want a spot in the home they can retreat to when they need to feel safe. In a tiny house, this space may be their crate. Your dog shouldn’t consider the crate a punishment. In fact, you can put some padding in it, as well as bowls full of water, to keep them comfortable. Introduce them to the crate slowly, showing them that it is a safe space that will protect them, and they may soon view it as a safe haven.

Moving Into a Tiny House With a Pet

How tiny house living impacts pets depends on how your pet reacts to the new environment. Have you observed your dog in small spaces before? You should make sure they’re entirely comfortable before you move, and if you know the home’s layout, try to get them used to features they may see, like stairs, or teach them how to feel comfortable in a crate. Over time, your pet may grow to love their new home — and you’ll get to reap the benefits of a happy pup and a decluttered tiny house!