What is the best pet to bring to college?

Emma: What is the best pet to bring to college?
I am a college student, and I was wondering which pet is the best to bring. The reason I want to bring one is because I have an anxiety problem, and I would like company in my single room (so preferably something nice and friendly). I have ample time to take care of a pet and let it run around for a few hours, as I am usually in the room working. Any suggestions?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Coffee Cup
A Rock.

Answer by Stephen a
I’m a college student too but I don’t think your allowed to bring pets.The best option is a hamster easy to take care of.

Answer by velcropap
none you are there to learn
a stuffed animal should fill your requirement.

Answer by TG
If I were you, I’d bring a cat to college. Cats are friendly and easy to take care of. Older cats entertain themselves if you leave some toys out. They don’t need to be walked or anything. They just need to be fed, played with, and loved. Plus, a single room is perfect, because you don’t need to worry about a roommate leaving the door open or anything. The only thing that may not be the best is the cat’s litter box, but that’s the only negative. Cats love to cuddle at night, and they love to play, and when you’re working, the cat will realize your busy and entertain itself. I have also once read that every time you pet a cat, it reduces the chance of high blood pressure, and if you have high blood pressure, it lowers it.

Answer by chardata
most universities do not allow you to have a pet on campus. Check with your university policy manual…or ask a CA (Community Advisor).

If you are a freshman that is going to a university that allows pets, a fish is good and so would be a gerbil…just to start off with. It never means that you can’t upgrade once you’ve adjusted and you understand what type of time you actually have on your hands.

I started off with a hedgehog (or two) my sophomore year. As a 5th year senior I have two ferrets and a puppy now. But I can manage my time for them. It all depends on the person.

Plus, you just being in your room studying doesn’t mean that, that is enough time. You have to play with your pets too: ferrets, cats, hedgies, etc. Most of the time you have to supervise too and that take a lot of your attention away from studying. Just something to think about.

Answer by discosaur
Don’t bring a pet to college. And I tell you this as a college student with pets!

Unless you are going to a school where you will be living year-round in an apartment or house nearby, there will be LOTS of transportation issues. Flying and even driving long distances can really be a hassle with pets. Not only is it tough for you (some airlines are really strict about pets), it’s very stressful on the animals to move them around. If you go away for spring break or a weekend, you need to find a baby sitter. It’s like having a child! If you have a pet that needs to be fed twice a day, that’s a big commitment.

What if you do a semester abroad? Also, what about when you graduate? There’s no guarantee that you’ll find a job or a place to live immediately. What happens to the pet then?

I spend a lot of my time making arrangements for OTHER people to care for my cats, rabbit, and fish. That’s not ideal for anyone – me, my baby sitters, or the pets. And yes, having these responsibilities has negatively affected my social life. Anxiety? Pets cause more than they remedy at this point in life!