The Best Pets to Bring to School This Fall

By Danni White on August 13, 2017

via Pixabay

Going off to college is a big deal and can be a major stressor in your young adult life. You not only leave behind family and some friends, but you also leave behind some material possessions, life as you once knew it, and even the pet that you’ve had since your 8th birthday.

Caring for a pet while still living at home with your parents and siblings can be a little bit easier to manage than caring for a pet while away at college and living on your own. For one thing, while you’re at school or out with friends, your parents, siblings, and even a neighbor can look after the pet. That’s not exactly the case when you’re in college.

For most college students, there isn’t a lot of extra time to do anything else outside of the normal way of life for a college student: studying, socializing, and maybe, working. Pets require a lot of care and attention as they may not be human but they do have some sensibilities and needs that humans should take care of in order to keep the pet healthy and lovable.

While some college campuses are very strict about not having pets on campus or in dorms, others actually allow students to have pets providing they abide by the rules. So, if you are an animal lover and want to get a pet to keep you company away from home, here are the best pets for college students.

[Before you get a pet, however, remember to check with your school to see if pets are allowed and what types of pets are allowed so you won’t be disappointed when you show up at your dorm’s entrance with a furry friend in hand.]

via Pixabay

FISH

Fish are probably the most obvious pets to have and for a fairly good reason. Fish require very little attention in order for them to be happy. After a stressful day in the classroom, you can watch your fish through the glass bowl, kind of like a de-stressor activity, and feel at least a little better since they look so relaxed and are just going about their way. You can also turn decorating the fish bowl into a weekend project with arts and crafts from your school’s art department or the local store.

GUINEA PIG

Guinea pigs probably make the perfect pets because they are relatively small and can fit into a big enough coat or shirt pocket. They do need regular exercise, but installing a mini treadmill designed for it, of course, inside of its cage, is not that big of a deal to do. Space, fitness accommodations, vegetables, fruit, pellets, and water are the main things guinea pigs need to survive.

TURTLES

Think of turtles as the alternative to having a snake, lizard, or another member of the reptile family in your dorm. Generally, turtles are mild-mannered, easy to get along with, quiet, and, of course, slow. However, their environment must be maintained in order for them to survive. With a big enough container, they need water and land with ample space to explore. The water must stay clean and a filtration system can be used to help with this. Most turtles eat insects, fish, and greens.

HERMIT CRABS

Unlike the huge crabs we see at the beach sometimes, hermit crabs can be a college student’s best friend. With a solid aquarium and an environment that is not too hot or too cold, hermit crabs are easy to care for and maintain. They are mostly vegetarians that rely on seeds, fruits, and vegetables as their main diet. Every few weeks, however, be sure to change their shell so they can continue to grow. You can even paint the shell if you wish.

HAMSTERS

If I were a pet person, I would totally agree that hamsters are the best pets. Since I’m not a pet person, I still totally agree that hamsters would make the best pets. They’re furry, cute, spunky, and affectionate. Food and water, water and food, and you’re pretty much good to go with these creatures. However, you should be aware that hamsters are nocturnal. This means that when you’re trying to sleep at 1 a.m. for that major chemistry exam coming up at 7 a.m., you most likely won’t get your best sleep.

SMALL DOG

I wouldn’t exactly suggest a dog, and certainly not a puppy, for a college student. However, if you find that no other animal suits your pet goals like a dog, then by all means, go for it. You must keep in mind though that dogs need a lot of attention in general. A dog of at least two years is more ideal to have than a puppy. Puppies are like little children; they really can’t be left unattended or else they’ll tear up or chew through everything, pee everywhere, and essentially make a mess of the dorm. And, your roommate might not like that too much.

CHIA

If all else fails, meaning you’ve lost, hurt, or killed too many animals before or your school doesn’t allow pets, grab a Chia.

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