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What to consider before getting a pet during college
Farnished feline. Many college students consider getting a pet during their time in school but not all fully think through the costs and time commitment required to care for a dog or cat.
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ince I started college I knew I wanted to adopt a pet. Freshman year, my roommate and I had our share of mice venture into our dorm, but they didn't quite fill the
void. When I signed my apartment lease last summer, I immediately made plans to adopt a cat. When I went to the Humane Society and saw the adorable cats, I could feel my heart melting. I probably held 30 or 40 cats that day, but as I was about to leave I decided to hold Brize, an 8-month-old black-and-white longhair.
As I picked her up, my paws gripped my shoulders, giving me a big kitty hug — it felt like the perfect match. I decided to name my cat Bella and I was excited to bring her home. I spent the next few months being woken up at sunrise by Bella sitting on my nightstand crying bloody murder to feed her. Eight months later, she courteously waits until 8 a.m. to knock my phone off the charger and bat me in the face with her shockingly sharp claws. Luckily, this nagging
is the worst of Bella's behavior.
Adopting a pet is a commitment that requires a lot of preparation. Mark Stickney, clinical assistant professor and director of general surgery services at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, says students should consider several factors before adopting a pet, including time obligations, financial commitments and lifestyle adjustments.
Does Fido fit into your busy schedule?
Stickney says the most important thing to consider before bringing home a pet is having the time to care for it. "You need to have time to housebreak it, socialize it, obedience train it, take it for walks and exercise, play with it and take it in for vet care." Stickney says.
Danielle Saale, Overhand Park senior, got her shitzu-toy poodle puppy, Izzie, as a Christmas present and had to adjust her daily schedule according to Izzie's needs. Initially, Izzie got up at
6 a.m., but after a few months she learned to sleep in. Saale says. Saale lets Izzie out before heading to class and again when she returns. She then plays with Izzie to prepare her for an afternoon nap. If Saale doesn't reserve time to play, Izzie lets her know. "She gets really upset when my roommate and I are watching TV and not paying attention to her, so she'll go lie upside down in the middle of the floor in front of the TV to try to get us to look at her." Saale says.
Aside from school, Saale works at night, so she relies on her roommate to watch Izzie until she returns. Saale lets Izzie out one last time before bringing her to bed.
When Natalie Langford's parents surprised her with an 8-week-old puggle (a pug-beagle mix) for Christmas two years ago, she was immediately charmed by him. Langford, Lenexa senior, had been considering getting a dog for awhile, but hadn't thought through how a dog would fit into her busy lifestyle. With 16 hours of school on top of work, Langford only had time in the morning.
late at night and on the weekends to play with her puppy, Cooper. "When I wasn't home he had to be in a kennel or locked in my room." Langford says. "I started to realize that he was spending more time being cooped up than being played with and I knew how incredibly unfair that was to him."
After four months of consideration, Langford decided Cooper deserved a home with someone who could devote time to his needs. Langford found a couple who adopted Cooper from the Humane Society the next day. If you don't consider how a pet will work with your lifestyle, you may face difficult consequences. "Giving Cooper away was one of the worst experiences I've had to go through," Langford says. "I knew how unfair my lifestyle was to him and even though it was incredibly difficult, it was the right decision."
Different breeds also require different time commitments. Since they are pack-oriented, dogs require constant interaction, and although cats
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