My Dog and Me

The decision to get a pet results in a huge change in your lifestyle and day-to-day responsibilities, especially if you’re about to head off to college. Have you sat down and considered what it takes to own a pet and how that might look while going to school? We’re here to provide you with some resources and answer any questions you might have before owning a pet in college. Photo Credit: harpenz/Pixabay Consider Your Reasoning for Getting a Pet First, take a look at some of the top reasons why people acquire a pet and see if they relate to you and your current needs: Do you need a service animal? People who get a service animal most likely need them for medical reasons such as seizures or high blood pressure. Service animals require specific training and are geared toward the person that they will be assisting. This training can be costly and extensive in order for the pet to learn how to quickly and accurately detect sudden changes in their owner's physical health. Keep in mind that the training could be with or without you. If you choose to train alongside the dog, you may have to take some time to travel to a facility that specializes in your specific type of training. Do you need an emotional support animal (ESA)? This could be for an emotional or a psychological condition. An ESA pet could look different from person to person as their needs for one will differ. Compare your day-to-day tasks and try to better understand how an ESA pet could benefit you and your life. Or maybe you’re just ready for a change and want to bring a new companion into your life. Pet ownership has many different benefits which can include boosting your mental health, helping to develop your emotional intelligence, and more. Whatever your reasoning might be, it’s important to take the time to think everything over before you get your new pet. You may even want to try making a checklist of the things you will need to ensure you and your pet are all set for a smooth college experience. Imagine Life as a College Student with a Pet Have you thought about how your life might change once you move into your new college home? If you think college will be anything like high school, it’s not. College schedules vary from student to student, but the concept of the responsibilities is more or less the same. While you may have more free time outside of classes each day, it is a complete change of pace and responsibility. You are now on your own clock. You will be the one waking yourself up for class, making sure you have time to get lunch, and if you have a job, making sure you get to work on time. Consider these day-to-day activities and responsibilities and ask yourself if you can comfortably handle those tasks without a pet in the mix. Then ask yourself if you can give adequate attention to a new pet on top of all of your typical college responsibilities. Would taking care of a pet impact your coursework and ability to be a high-performing student? Would it affect your ability to have a job? Or could it have an effect on how often you can focus on the fun side of college? Really think about all that goes into taking care of a pet. Have you thought about simple tasks such as taking them out for bathroom breaks? Or the more important tasks such as yearly vet visits? Most pets, especially young ones, need vaccinations and routine vet checkups. As you ask yourself these questions, consider making a pros and cons list. Although time management, financial matters, and the responsibilities of taking care of another life could sound scary, write them out in a list to help you gauge what best fits into your life. Photo Credit: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash Understand the Finances That Come with a Pet Living on a college budget can be tough. From groceries and going out with friends to paying your own bills and the cost of living, finances may bring you stress. If you're considering getting a pet, understanding your finances is a very important part of your new responsibilities. When you get a pet, you’re not just buying the pet. You may have saved up to purchase one, but know that you will need additional funds for other things that your pet will need in the future. In addition to vet visits and vaccination costs, there are a few other things to purchase for your pet upfront. This can include, but isn’t limited to: Crate & bed Food Toys Medication Insurance Other pet-related fees (i.e. apartment pet deposit) Do you have the financial means to cover these essentials? Consider the living conditions of a typical college student; most live in dorms. You will first need to make sure that your campus will even allow you to own a pet. Some colleges may not allow pets due to liability issues your pet could encounter while living on campus. If you do get approved to keep your pet on campus, you should keep in mind some of the common illnesses your pet could contract and how to handle them. As we mentioned above, living on a college budget can be hard, especially with a pet. Knowing the full scope of what you’ll need to pay for after getting a pet should be the first thing you sort out. Determine what’s important to you and what expenses are truly worth spending your money on. If you’re reading this, your pet is probably a top priority. Pets are a consistent financial commitment and even with extensive planning, there are going to be unexpected costs. You have to be prepared for the long-term effects this can have, especially if you are not working while in school. Try your best not to stress out about what the costs of an emergency vet trip might be. However, if you do find yourself in constant worry, ask yourself is pet insurance worth having and consider how it can ease your mind before your pet finds itself in an emergency and you find yourself in a tough financial situation. Pet insurance can help you navigate some of the unexpected costs, and as a student, this can be really helpful in protecting your savings and monthly income. Find ways to gain more control over your finances in order to take some of the weight colleges can bring off of your shoulders. Start Planning Ahead Students typically go to college for four years, although this can vary depending on what they’re majoring in. Some students may attend college for two years and only focus on the basic general education courses, while others may be attending graduate school, which could require an additional two to four years on top of that. If you are considering getting a pet your freshman year of college, remind yourself of what your personal goals are and really think about how long you might be in school. The pet you get in college will most likely be your pet for the next 10-15 years of your life. You are gaining a family member, a best friend, and a comfort animal. This being said, planning ahead is important. Consider what changes might occur in your pet's lifetime such as getting a second pet, getting married, or having kids. While looking for your first place to live, keep in mind that certain breeds might not be allowed in your building. You will typically see these restrictions when renting an apartment or house. Some may require your pet to be under a specific weight limit. If you always imagined yourself in a highrise downtown, you may have to rethink owning a pet. Cats could probably handle this type of lifestyle, however, a dog might be harder to navigate as you live twenty stories up. Photo Credit: Alexander Grey on Unsplash You might need to look for a place in the city that has a dog park or a small yard for your pet to use the bathroom and get some air. You might even decide to move across the country, which might require flying—bringing on another set of things to consider. There is a wide range of possibilities that you need to keep in mind when getting a pet. So, Are You Getting a Pet? Have confidence in your decision to own a pet. Knowing why you’re getting a pet, understanding how your life could change, accepting the financial responsibilities, and planning ahead is a great start to preparing for life in college with a pet. After reading through this article, we hope you have the proper tools and resources to make an informed decision on whether or not you are about to gain a new furry companion. Also View: 5 Common Misconceptions about Life with Pets