7 Fabulous Ways To Hide a Cat From Your Landlord

Are you trying to figure out how to hide a cat from your landlord? Here are some suggestions to keep your cat/dog hidden from your landlord.

If you’re a tenant, your landlord makes all the decisions. They also decide the rent to be paid, who’s eligible to rent, and whether or not pets are permitted, among other things.

Cats and dogs are amazing, and it’s hard to let go of them mostly.

The Insurance Information Institute estimates that 85 million families (67%) in the United States have a pet. Dogs, cats, birds, and fish are among them, but they are not the only ones.

People get so connected to their pets that they become uncomfortable when they’re not with them.

Because of the attachments with their cats, residents will go to any length to bring them in if their flat forbids them from doing so.

Many people prefer cats as they’re easy to hide, not noisy, and don’t need to be walked out.  

7 Fabulous Ways To Hide A Cat From Your Landlord

1. Never Ask For Permission To Bring Cat Home

The first rule of thumb when you want to keep a cat within your landlord’s premises is to understand the importance of denial. In other words, you must never ask for permission from your landlord to bring a cat to their premises.

It’s usually like a notification when your landlord officially clarifies that a cat is not needed within the rental apartments. So if your landlord realizes that you brought in a cat, they may sue you. And that’s why you should never ask your landlord if you can bring a cat to your apartment.

Reduce the number of times the landlord comes to your apartment. If you have something important to discuss, meet in a restaurant or at the rental office. Otherwise, keep your contact with the landlord to a minimum.

You should also find out how frequently your landlord visits the building. Some landlords visit once a  year, while others come every month.

Find out where your landlord lives before you move in or bring a new cat into your apartment. If the landlord lives nearby, they will pass by the building regularly. In addition, some tenants are more likely to know the landlord personally and might snitch on you.

Furthermore, you will shop for your cat well in a place you won’t meet your landlord by accident. Knowing where your landlord lives will help you plan and implement avoidance tactics.

2. Get Rid of All Cat-Related Stuff

Some landlords conduct surprise visits or provide short notice for the same. Even so, that shouldn’t be a cause of panic.

Always clean up your pet’s toys after it’s done playing with them.

If your place is littered with kitty toys or a litter box, the landlord will quickly figure it out. Also, concealing the toys in the cupboard is a bad idea.

The landlord might decide to check the hinges and the wall, resulting in you being busted. Take all of your cat’s belongings to a friend’s or family member’s home.

You can also hide them in the trunk of your parked car outside the apartment. I suggest the pet toys box because it is both durable and fashionable.

3. Clean the Apartment Thoroughly

If you are given notice of an inspection, make every effort to clean your apartment thoroughly— otherwise, you will be exposed.

Pets, particularly dogs and cats have a distinct odor that’s easy to detect.

Furthermore, you may be unaware of your landlord’s allergies, which they will notice once they enter your filthy home.

Always cover up any evidence if you want to hide your pet from your landlord (odor, hair). Vacuum thoroughly throughout your home, including the couches, curtains, and rugs/carpets.

Use scented candles and room sprays regularly to mask your pet smell. A portable air purifier can aid in the removal of pet odors.

4. Hide Your Pets Interest

If a landlord suspects that you lack a pet’s personality, they will limit your involvement with them.  

Let your landlord know how much you dislike cats if you have a chance to speak with your landlord.

This will keep you on good terms with your landlord because they’ll have no reason to suspect you.

5. Ask Your Friends to Pet-Sit During Inspections

Prioritizing the best location within the apartment can be difficult. Instead, ask a friend to pet-sit for you for a few days to avoid unnecessary problems with the landlord.

After all, taking them out to dinner or buying a bottle of wine is all it may take for a friend to help you.

6. Disguise Your Cat

It may appear to be a simple task, but it is not. It’s difficult to disguise your pet, especially huge pets like cats and dogs.

But don’t hide them in a dark place if your pet is afraid of the dark as they can make some sounds and expose you.

You can hide them by covering them with a blanket or placing other items on top to make them appear different.

Remember to hide your cat’s carrier bag if you have one.  Foldable carrier bags are easily stored.

7. Don’t Talk to Your Landlord About Cats

Fill the minimum number of cats the tenant can have in an apartment, and make sure your landlord or building manager never knows how many cats you have.

Pets are usually charged a fee in buildings that allow them. When you disclose the number of your cats, you must pay the monthly fee for each cat. The costs can be high, and you may want to reduce your payments without losing your cats.

It’s simple to maintain appearances in pet-friendly buildings. Your neighbors and maintenance staff have no idea how many cats you paid for that month. And you don’t have to hide your cats as they roam freely in the house.

Remember that the property manager and landlord are aware of the number of cats you disclosed, so make sure they only see one cat at a time.

How Do I Hide a Cat During an Apartment Inspection?

Some landlords will insist on having random inspections or providing short notice before coming for an inspection. You’ll be tempted to panic due to the short notice, but don’t be.

The first thing you’ll do to hide your cat during an apartment inspection is select a suitable hiding spot ahead of time. You have three options; taking your pet to a friend’s house, finding a pet sitter, or hiding your pet in the house.

Plan ahead of time on how to protect your cat from being ready to act after receiving a notice of inspection from your landlord. If you decide to take your cat to a pet sitter or a friend’s house, make sure you bring the litter box, cat food, and toys with you.

Keep the toys in one place so they don’t get scattered throughout the house. Try to clean up after your cat plays and keep all of his toys in one place.

You must vacuum your home to remove any fur from the carpet or couch. Furthermore, your landlord might have cat allergies and will know if you don’t clean.  To evade suspicion, make sure you clean thoroughly.

You can also use an air freshener to mask any odors left by your cat. Hide the pet shampoo and brushes, as they can be a dead giveaway. Make sure your cat can’t escape during the check-up from where you hid it. It won’t help you if your cat escapes the hiding spot and your landlord notices.

If your landlord shows up at your door without notice, make an excuse or make an emergency call to give yourself enough time to hide your cat. You can even claim that you are not decent and need a few minutes to change your clothes.

You can also claim to be ill with an infectious disease, such as the flu. Nevertheless, it is unprofessional for your landlord to conduct a check without first informing you. Always have a few excuses ready to go in case your landlord shows up for an unexpected checking.

Frequently Asked Questions