Do Pitbulls Need a Lot of Space? How to Keep Pitties Happy in Small Spaces

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Dog lovers who live in apartment buildings or small houses will often have concerns about getting a dog as they might not have enough space for the dog to live comfortably without feeling confined or isolated.

This issue is widespread among dog lovers looking to get energetic breeds like Pit Bulls.

So, do Pitbulls need a lot of space? Pit Bulls do need a lot of space to live comfortably. They have high energy levels, so they need enough space to move around and exercise. They can also be quite large at full growth, and they’ll need to have enough space for a crate that fits their size to rest or sleep comfortably.

Keep reading to learn more about how much space Pit Bulls need and how to keep your Pit Bull happy when living indoors in a small space.

How Much Space Do Pit Bulls Need?

Pit Bulls are known for needing a relatively large space to live in compared to other dog breeds.

The main reason Pit Bulls need to have a large space is that they naturally have high energy levels and tend to be active most of the time.

They will need to have enough space to move freely and exercise regularly to release their excess energy healthily and stay in good shape.

Another reason Pit Bulls need to have a large space is because they can be quite large in size themselves. 

A Pitbull’s weight will range from 30 to 60 pounds at full growth, while their height will range from 17 to 21 inches.

They need to have an area of their own inside the house with enough space for a crate that will fit their size comfortably to rest and sleep without feeling too confined or isolated. You can find the best crates for Pitbulls here, these are my recommendations after years of testing out all kinds of crates, so I think they will save you a lot of time and money.

There should also be enough space for their toys, food and water bowls, and any other supplies they might need.

Should Pit Bulls Live Outdoors or Indoors?

Owners who live in small houses often consider having their Pit Bull live outdoors in their yard to ensure that the dog will have enough space to move around freely.

However, Pit Bulls are indoor dogs and shouldn’t permanently live outdoors.

It’s also not recommended to let them stay outdoors for extended periods of time.

The main reason why Pit Bulls shouldn’t live outdoors is that they cannot really tolerate harsh weather. They have one-layered coats with short hair that won’t give them enough insulation against the cold, putting them at risk of developing various health problems. 

You can learn more about why Pitbulls can’t handle the cold weather here. 

Another reason Pit Bulls shouldn’t live outdoors is because they’re a highly social breed and tend to seek out companionship. 

They will not tolerate being separated from their owners and staying outside on their own for too long.

Leaving them outside on their own for too long will cause them to feel isolated, leading them to develop various destructive or aggressive behaviors.

There are also other dangers to having your Pit Bull stay outdoors for too long, as it might accidentally get injured, get into fights with dogs nearby, try to run away, or even get stolen.

 I will not even mention the dangers of Coyotes on Pitbulls if you live in an area with Coyotes. 

Is It Cruel to Keep Your Pit Bull Inside?

Although it can be somewhat dangerous to leave your Pit Bulls outside for extended periods, it’s also dangerous and even cruel to keep your Pit Bull inside all the time, especially if you live in a small space.

These dogs may be bred for indoor living, but they’re definitely not meant for confinement or isolation.

Keeping them inside for extended periods will put them at risk of developing various problems that affect their physical health, temperament, and behavior.

What Are the Risks of Confining Pit Bulls to a Small Space?

As mentioned before, Pit Bulls need to have enough space to move around and exercise. They also need to have a space for a large enough crate for their size.

If you confine your Pitbull to a small space for extended periods of time, you will be putting it at risk of developing various problems that will affect its physical health as well as its temperament and behavior.

So, let’s take a look at some of the problems caused by confining Pit Bulls to a small space:

• They will not be able to get as much exercise as they need to during the day
• They will either become too lazy or too hyperactive due to not getting enough exercise
• They will be prone to putting on weight more quickly due to the decrease in activity and exercise
• They will have limited healthy outlets for any excess energy, which will cause them to develop various destructive behaviors that might escalate to aggression
• They will often act restless, which will cause them to run around and jump over objects excessively
• They will often bark or whine loudly without having a specific reason to do so
• They will usually have accidents inside the house despite being potty trained
• They will exhibit some destructive behaviors such as pawing harshly at the floor or chewing on furniture
• They will start to have short attention spans and often fail to respond to direct commands

Can Pit Bulls Adjust to Living in a Small Space?

If you’re living in a small house or an apartment building, you will have no choice but to get your Pit Bull to adjust to living in a small space to ensure that it’s comfortable and prevent it from developing any health or behavioral problems.

This might be challenging for some dog owners, but it’s not entirely impossible. All you need to do is take certain measures to improve the dog’s living space.

There are other issues with keeping your Pitbull in apartments, like making sure you can even have a Pitbull in your apartment. 

You can check out my guide for keeping Pitbulls in apartments here, where I discuss everything on keeping Pitties in apartments, including the laws, regulations, and even how to talk to your landlord.  

How to Keep Your Pit Bull Comfortable When Living Indoors?

To keep your Pit Bull comfortable when living indoors, you need to take some measures to improve the dog’s living space and make it feel less confined or isolated.

So, let’s break down the measures you can take in more detail:

Try to Provide the Dog with Its Own Space Indoors

Try to provide your dog with its own space inside the house where it can comfortably play, exercise, rest, or sleep.

This space should be big enough to contain the dog’s crate, food and water bowls, some toys, and any other supplies it might need.

The dog’s crate should also be big enough to fit the dog’s size, and it shouldn’t remain locked for too long so that the dog wouldn’t feel confined or isolated when it stays inside.

Try to Keep the Windows Open as Much as Possible

You should try to keep the windows open as much as possible, especially if you live in an apartment.

This will help improve the ventilation inside the house and allow the dog some fresh air. 

It will also give the dog the impression of a bigger, more open space which will help make it feel less confined or isolated.

However, keep an eye on your dog when it’s near any open windows to prevent any accidents. Pitbulls do have a tendency to run away, especially when they are at the mating age. 

You can learn how to keep your Pitbull from running away here. 

Take Your Dog Out on Walks Daily

Taking your dog on a walk is one of the best ways to exercise it and help it healthily release any excess energy.

It will also help you socialize your dog properly and make it feel less confined as it will be exposed to different sights, sounds, smells, and people during its time outside.

However, to ensure your dog’s safety when you’re out on a walk, you need to keep it on a leash all the time and avoid taking it on walks when the weather is too cold or too hot.

If your dog starts getting tired during the walk, give it a short break to rest before continuing. Otherwise, you’ll be putting it at risk of muscle strains and other severe injuries.

Let Your Dog Spend Some Time Outside Whenever Possible

When living in a small house or an apartment building, it’s good to let your dog spend some time outside whenever possible.

You can take the dog out to exercise, play, or just lay around in your yard. If you don’t have a yard, you can take the dog to a public park or any other open space that would allow dogs.

However, to ensure your dog’s safety when it’s outside, you need to keep an eye on it all the time as it might get into an accident or injure itself.

If you won’t be able to keep an eye on the dog, make sure to keep it on a leash and install a secure fence around your yard to prevent it from running away or getting stolen.

Try to Find Ways to Exercise Your Dog Indoors

If you can’t take your dog outside for any reason, you need to find a way to exercise it indoors to help it release excess energy and stay in good shape.

Pit Bull puppies need about 15 to 30 minutes of exercise daily. Meanwhile, Pit Bull adults need 45 to 60 minutes of exercise or more, depending on their energy levels.

If Pit Bulls do not get the amount of exercise they need daily, they will not be able to release their excess energy, causing them to become hyperactive and develop various behavioral problems.

The simplest and most effective way to exercise your Pit Bull indoors is to have it climb the stairs inside your house or apartment building. 

You can also practice commands with your dog as you ask it to follow you up and down the stairs.

If you don’t have a staircase where you live, there are other ways you can exercise your dog indoors, such as setting up a small obstacle course for the dog to go through, playing with a flirt pole, or tossing a ball for the dog to fetch.

Provide Your Dog with Mental Stimulation

You need to provide your dog with enough mental stimulation to keep it occupied most of the time. 

That is because living in a small space can easily cause the dog to feel bored or depressed, leading it to develop various behavioral problems.

The most effective way to keep your dog mentally stimulated is to provide it with various kinds of toys, especially puzzle toys. 

These toys are specifically designed to keep the dog occupied while also developing the dog’s skills.

Another way to stimulate your dog mentally is to play games with it that would require it to use different skills to get a reward in the end. For example, you can hide treats in different locations inside the house for your dog to sniff and track.

Related Questions

Do Pit Bulls Need a Yard?

Pit Bulls do not need a yard as long as they have enough space indoors to move around freely without feeling confined or isolated. However, if they live in a small house, it would be ideal to let them spend more time outside in the yard so they will have the space they need to move, play, or exercise freely.

Do Apartment Buildings Allow Pit Bulls?

Some apartment buildings allow Pit Bulls as long as they’re registered or sterilized, while other apartment buildings fully ban Pit Bulls. Even if Pit Bulls were allowed to live in apartments, this doesn’t mean it’s ideal for them as they might not have as much space as they need leading them to feel confined.

Are Pit Bulls Good for First-Time Owners?

Pit Bulls are not good for first-time owners as they can be high maintenance. They require patience and consistency when it comes to their care, including their grooming, diet, exercise, and training. If you’re a first-time owner, you need to do some research to learn more about Pit Bulls and what they need.

How Long Can Pit Bulls Be Left Alone?

Pitbulls can be left alone for 2 hours at most when they’re puppies, and meanwhile, they can be left for 4 to 6 hours when they’re adults. The exact duration will vary from one dog to another depending on how attached it is to its owner and how often it needs to be fed or taken to pee.

You can learn how to train your Pitbull to be alone here. Yes, you can really train your Pitbull to adapt to staying alone for long, and I explain exactly how in this post, so make sure to check it out. 

Are Pitbulls Naturally Aggressive?

Pitbulls are not naturally aggressive as their behavior depends on their living conditions. If they are properly socialized and trained, they will typically be well-behaved and friendly around others. They will only become aggressive if provoked by a threat to them or their territory.

Helpful Resources 

How to Keep a Dog Happy and Healthy in a Small Apartment

9 Tips for Living with a Big Dog in a Small Space

How Do I Exercise My Dog in a Small Space?

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