Keeping Pets at College: The Good, The Bad, and The Furry!
Hi there! My name is Jamie and I'm a 3rd grader. My big sister Emily just started college last year and she really, really wants to get a puppy to keep in her dorm room. But our parents aren't sure if that's a good idea or not. So I did a lot of research and made a list of all the good things (pros) and bad things (cons) about having pets at college. Here's what I found out!
The Good Things (Pros)
Pets are fun and cuddly!
Who doesn't love playing with a cute little puppy or kitten? They're so soft and fluffy! Pets can brighthe my sister's day when she's feeling stressed from all her tough classes and homework. Just petting a furry friend can make you feel happy and relaxed. Plus, they're always excited to see you when you get home!
Pets teach responsibility.
My mom says having a pet is great practice for when you're an adult with bigger responsibilities. You have to remember to feed them, give them water, take them for walks, and clean up after them. If you can take care of a pet, it shows you're responsible enough to take care of yourself too!
Pets are like having a friend.
College can be a lonely place, especially if you don't know many people yet. A pet would be like having a built-in furry buddy to hang out with! Dogs and cats can be really affectionate and fun to play with when you're bored. I'm sure my sister would never feel alone with a cute critter around.
Pets help relieve stress.
Exams, papers, projects - college sounds super stressful! Studies show that spending time with animals can actually lower your blood pressure and make you feel calmer. Maybe
my sister could cuddle with her pet to de-stress before a big test.
Pets encourage exercise.
If my sister got a dog, she'd have to take it for walks every day. That would force her to stop studying for a bit and get some fresh air and exercise, which is really important for staying healthy. I read that playing with a cat helps you stay active too by getting up and moving around.
The Bad Things (Cons)
Pets are a huge responsibility.
As much fun as pets are, they're also a LOT of hard work, especially for a busy college student. You have to make sure to feed them, give them water, clean their litter box or take them outside to go potty, and more. If my sister forgot or slacked off, her pet could get really sick! That's no fun for anyone.
Pets can be expensive.
Getting a pet means you have to pay for food, toys, litterboxes or poop bags, vaccines and the costs can really add up fast! College is already so expensive with tuition, books, and living costs. Adding on pet expenses might be too much for my sister's budget. What if her pet needs an emergency surgery? Those vet bills can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars!
Pets might not be allowed.
A lot of colleges actually ban pets from living in dorms or student housing because some people are allergic or afraid of animals. My sister would have to check her school's rules first before getting a pet. If they don't allow it, she could get in serious trouble or have to give up her pet, which would be heartbreaking.
Pets can be distracting.
Between running around, barking or meowing, needing to be played with or cuddled, pets demand a lot of attention. My sister might have a hard time concentrating on studying
for tests or working on assignments if her pet keeps bugging her. She might get worse grades than if she didn't have that furry distraction around.
Pets can make a mess.
Whether it's shedding fur all over, tracking in dirt from the outdoors, scratching up furniture, or having potty accidents, pets can turn a dorm room into a pigsty really fast! It takes a lot of time and effort to constantly clean up after a pet. My sister's roommate might get really mad if her sloppy pet makes their room stink or ruins their stuff.
The Verdict
can you feel it mp3 After looking at both the pros and cons, I can see that having a pet in college is a huge decision with lots to consider. On one hand, a furry friend could make my sister's experience so much more fun and less lonely. Having a pet to love and care for could teach her valuable life skills too. But on the other hand, pets require soooo much time, money, and responsibility that my sister might not be able to handle on top of her busy schedule. She'd have to be really committed to properly caring for a pet's every need.
Personally, I think my sister should at least try to get permission and make sure pets are allowed first. If they are, maybe she could look into getting an easier pet to start with, like a hamster or fish (please no snakes though, yuck!). That would let her practice being a pet owner without biting off more than she can chew. If she does end up getting a dog or cat and it's too much to handle, she could always ask family to help out sometimes.
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