If you are a college student, we understand how lonely you might feel. You live away from home and family, and the constant stress and hectic routine work as the cherry on top. Not to forget, the sudden feeling of homesickness is dreadful.
During this time, students always opt for pets to find companionship and comfort during this ordeal. However, that is always not easy and convenient. College students usually live in dorms or shared apartments. Sometimes, it becomes difficult for them to take care of or even live with a pet.
So, are you going through the same ordeal right now? Don’t worry. As always, we are here to the rescue! In this post, we will share a list of 6 friendly little creatures that will be perfect companions for a college student.
Why should you take Pets to College?
It is proven that pets are a source of happiness for humans, but especially for college students. Pets can boost their mood, be productive, and release feel-good hormones.
Here are a few more benefits of how pets can help you in college:
Give Affection: It is evident that you miss the affection of your parents and siblings while you are away for college. But pets can help you with that. They will give you a sufficient amount of love and affection you need to survive. They will welcome you when you come from class, sit in your lap, and listen to how your day went.
Relieves Stress: Pets are also known to lower your stress levels while making you feel good and positive. How? Obviously, you will be receiving love, affection, and loads of cuddles. Apart from that, you will be so busy playing and taking care of them; you won’t have the time to think about your stress.
Reduces feelings of homesickness & Loneliness: When you are alone, and away from home, it is obvious you will get sudden feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially when you have just started college and don’t have any friends. But with a pet’s company, you will always feel like there is someone with you, and you are not alone.
Reduces Anxiety & Depression: If you are a college student, the main reasons for your anxiety and depression would be loneliness, homesickness, and stress, right? But if your pet will comfort and soothe you, your symptoms of depression and anxiety will eventually reduce. They will always keep you engaged, happy, and loved.
Best Pets for College Students
As promised, we are sharing a list of the six best pets for college students below. But before diving into that, you should know the characteristics of ideal pets that you can take to college.
The best pets for college should be tiny and very low-maintenance. This way, they won’t take much of your space, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning the mess they make or fulfilling their needs and your college stress. Obviously, cats and dogs won’t be the ideal options. First, they will need a vast space, and secondly, their maintenance is too much!
Now, here are our 6 top options for the best pets for college students:
1. Fish
Fish are an ideal option for pets for college students. Why? Because they are very low-maintenance and won’t make any noise that disturbs your room or dorm mates. Moreover, they will brighten up your space with their vibrant colors and give you a sense of companionship.
The best part, every college and dorm allow fish as pets, so taking them inside won’t be a problem. The best part, fish will be highly affordable for you as a college student. Goldfish, Betta fish, Guppies, Neon Tetra, and Zebrafish are ideal options to take to college as pets.
2. Gerbils
If you are looking for an interactive, low-maintenance, and super small pet, then Gerbils are ideal. They are tiny, and their cage will fit on any shelf in your dorm room. Moreover, they are known to enjoy their own company so they won’t have a problem while you are away.
The best part is Gerbils have self-cleaning habits, and you won’t notice any smell or mess in your space. Also, they love to cuddle! You can put them on your chest, neck, or tummy and cuddle with them all night! However, just make sure they have a safe and enclosed cage to prevent them from harming themselves.
3. Turtle
If you want more interactive and loving pets than Gerbils, Turtles are what you need! They will walk around your dorm room without making any mess and go back to their tanks independently. Also, they will calmly allow you to pet them without being moody or startled.
You can find turtles of all sizes; small, medium, or large. We would recommend a medium-sized turtle four dorm room or apartment if you ask us. Some beginner-friendly and handy turtles you can opt for are Mud turtles, western painted turtles, red-eared sliders, and common musk turtles.
4. Hamsters
Hamsters are known to be the most popular and ideal option for pets, especially for college students. They are extremely small in size and super easy to take care of. You will find their food and toys readily available in local markets. Also, they will happily entertain themselves when you are busy or in class.
Moreover, hamsters are the cleanest of pets. They are toilet trained and defecate only at a particular corner in their cage. Hence, it will be easy for you to clean. You can spend hours and hours watching them, and their cuteness will make you feel calm and relaxed. The best part is they love cuddles!
5. Birds
If you really want to beat the feeling of loneliness and need a pet that constantly makes you feel its presence, GET A BIRD! Birds are intelligent, trained, talkative, and they can even talk with you. Also, they will require minimal attention from you. All they will do is fly around, eat, and go back to their cage is sleep!
Parrots are the most talkative, friendly, and interactive types of birds. But if you want something less talkative, you can begin with canaries, finches, cockatiels, or parakeets. These birds are small, warp up quickly, and always sing and flutter.
6. Bunnies
We are ending our list with these small, cute, and interactive mammals; Bunnies (Rabbits)! You can easily toilet train them, clean them, and they are super silent! Moreover, they won’t take much of your space and will comfortably stay and sleep inside a cage.
Bunnies are very affectionate, and they quickly warm up to their owners. They are not fans of cuddles, but they still love petting and spending time with humans. Also, bunnies are available in different breeds, sizes, and colors. Just pick the one you like the most and end your feeling of loneliness!
Final Words
College can be stressful, and nobody should go through that alone. The companionship of a pet will surely help you stay calm and sane. However, make sure to keep all our points in mind and opt for a small and low-maintenance pet to save yourself from additional stress and hustle!
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