When I first moved to college, I knew it would be hard to leave my family pets behind. But it wasn’t until I found myself returning home every day to an empty dorm room, without my dog to greet me or my cat to curl up next to me, that I realized living without animals would be a very tough transition. And truthfully, I never got used to it.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve spent a decent amount of my free time googling different types of animals, daydreaming about having my very own devoted friend to return home to every day. If you’ve never owned a pet, the whole idea might seem silly, but if you have, you know that nothing is the same as the unconditional love you share with an animal.
Which is why, even if you’ve never had a pet before, everyone should consider adopting one while in college! If you couldn’t have one at home, college is the perfect time to embark on new adventures with a furry (or even scaly) friend. It’ll give you a one-of-a-kind connection, and the experience of having to take care of something other than yourself.
But after doing so much research, I found that there were a few animals definitely better suited to the college lifestyle than others (sorry fellow dog lovers, but we all know doggos are probably the most high-maintenance pet out there). So whether you’re looking to start small or find a new companion that’s realistic to the demands of college, here’s a shortlist of animals I think you should consider!
Opinions on the feline species always seem to be polarized, but trust me when I say that nothing makes me happier than being home with my cat. And although they’re definitely the most demanding of the animals on this list, they’re actually a fairly reasonable pet to have in college if you have a larger or decent-sized apartment. They’re self-sufficient, use a litter box and are perfectly happy to take naps all day while you go to class. They’ll probably just request that you spend your evenings cuddling with them and feeding them tuna snacks in return.
Remember that if you do decide to get a cat, adopt a rescue! Tallahassee Animal Shelter and Leon County Humane Society always have adorable kitties waiting for their new home.
Hamsters are fluffy, live in a world of colorful bubble tubes and can fit in the palm of your hand. What’s not to adore? Hamsters are definitely well-suited to the college lifestyle since their habitats are relatively small and transportable. You can leave out food and water for them periodically and can carry them around your dorm or apartment in the pocket of your hoody. Since they only live a few years, they’re also a smaller commitment for someone who’s never had a pet before.
And yes, you can adopt them from an animal shelter or humane society! Just check under their website pages for pocket pets.
For those who can see themselves living the reptile life, geckos are truly one of the best options for college pets. They only need to be fed every few days, live in small terrariums and have skin so soft it will make you jealous of their skincare routine. My roommate has a white leopard gecko, and she loves to set him on her shoulders while she does homework. But given the fact that geckos live on a healthy diet of worms and crickets, feeding them is not for the faint of heart.
Tallahassee Animal Shelter has a gecko named Echo for adoption right now!
Lastly, the animal I’ll be able to call myself the proud owner of in just a few months! We’ve all seen adorable Instagram and Tik Tok accounts for hedgehogs, but I never knew what actually goes into their care until I started researching them. While they require fairly large habitats, they’re virtually silent and odorless and are good for owners who are home mostly in the evening. They can even be trained to use a litter box! And of course, giving them a toothbrush bath makes for the cutest videos.
I’m still in the process of trying to figure out how or where I can rescue one, but hopefully, soon my apartment won’t be quite so empty. And maybe, if this article inspired you at all, yours won’t be either.
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