A study conducted on college students suggests that they may handle anxiety and stressful conditions better if they have a pet. Moreover, owning pets as young adults can also instill care, responsibility, and social connection.
If you’re a student, there are a slew of reasons for having a pet. You may feel lonely, stressed, and miss the family pet. However, if you’re considering pet ownership, you need to weigh the pros and cons of owning a pet as a college student.
Before you commit to owning a pet, you need to ask yourself the following questions:
Are you allowed to have a pet?
Normally, school dorms and rented apartments don’t allow pets. Ask your school or hostel whether or not you can keep a pet. If you can’t own a pet in your current living space, find somewhere that allows pets.
What type of pet fits your lifestyle?
You need to know which types of pets fit into your lifestyle. Also, consider which type of pet can go along with you. Some complexes don’t allow dogs and cats, but they’re OK with smaller pets, like guinea pigs, hamsters, tortoises, parakeets, and fish.
Can you afford to take care of a pet?
The costs of owning a pet can be huge, so you need to be honest about your financial status and spending habits. Make sure that you know where to find affordable pet supplies. Also, if you can afford it, you can look for pet insurance for saving an extra buck on your pet’s vaccinations and regular checkups.
Will you have enough time to care for your pet?
Like human relationships, relationships with pets require quality time. Ask yourself how much time can you spend with your furry friend. Can you spend enough time with your pet to care for their needs and bond with them? If so, you’re on your way to pet ownership!
Have you considered how a pet could affect your roommates?
If you share a living space with someone, you need to know how your roommates feel about animals and whether or not they’re allergic. With that said, pet-friendly campuses and rental homes are a good option because your roommates are more likely to be comfortable with pets.
If you’re a college student and want to own a pet, there are a variety of factors to consider before you can decide if pet ownership is right for you. If you ask yourself these questions, you’ll know whether you have space in your life and your heart for a furry friend.
Featured Photo by BRUNO EMMANUELLE on Unsplash.
