by Many of us dream about owning a pet, especially while in college. This desire is absolutely natural for humans who tend to have a strong need for companionship and for taking care of someone. However, there is also no secret that owning a pet is a big commitment of time and energy, which is often a major concern that can hold you back from making this dream come true.
If you are also a student thinking about getting a pet, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will look into the biggest pros and cons of being a student pet owner to help you make the right decision.
3 Cons of Owning a Pet as a Student
Before we get to the positive aspects, let’s first consider the main drawbacks:
1.Time Commitment
The most obvious drawback of owning a pet in college is that they require a great deal of time, attention, and commitment. We all know that students are incredibly busy in college, so this could be a massive challenge.
Luckily, not all pets are the same. For example, cats are more independent, smaller animals like hamsters require minimum time and energy, whereas dogs will take the most of your commitment. Then, there is also a possibility to find a professional paper writing service to write my paper for me to save up enough time to commit to your pet without letting your grades drop. So, even with a hefty load, you can still get a pet. But if you already have a written work and you do not have enough time to review and rewrite it, you just need to write “rewrite my essay” and use the services of EssayService.
2.Additional Expenses
The second significant concern for students is the budget. Buying and maintaining a pet will require you to cover additional costs. You will face a number of day-to-day expenses, such as litter, toys, grooming, food, and other supplies. And also, there will be less frequent expenses such as vet appointments. However, if your budget is too restrained, you can always consider buying a low-maintenance pet like a fish, hamster, reptile, etc.
3.Housing Issues
Finally, owning a pet is always associated with certain housing limitations. Whether you live in a dorm room or rent an apartment, you might not be allowed to have certain pets. The good news, though, is that this mostly applies to larger pets. So you should still be able to get a smaller animal.
4 Pros of Owning a Pet as a Student
Now that you know what potential challenges you can face as a student pet owner, let’s move on and consider the main perks:
1.Mental Health
The mental health benefits of being a pet owner are huge. Different pets are known to boost their owners’ moods, eliminate stress, reduce anxiety, and treat many other mental issues. Studies show that only ten minutes of petting time a day can significantly affect a student’s physical stress levels.
2.Physical Health and Fitness
Another big perk is mostly associated with owning a dog. As you should know, dogs require regular walks, which means that getting one for yourself will definitely get you on the move. As a result, you will be able to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle. But, of course, this benefit doesn’t apply to small pets that don’t require walking.
3.Companionship
When setting off to college, young people often start feeling homesick and lonely. It is especially true for first-year students who didn’t have time to make new friends. In this case, owning a pet can also have many benefits. Pets are great companions that will reduce your feeling of loneliness and bring more laughter and love into your life.
4.Social Advantages
Speaking about the feeling of loneliness, we shouldn’t forget that pets can also give you many social advantages. Being so adorable, pets often act as ice-breakers and help their owners make new friends faster. Pet owners love to meet other pet owners and talk about their pets. So, if you want to find yourself a company where you’ll fit in without any effort, getting a pet is a good idea!
The Bottom Line
So is it really worth getting yourself a pet while in college? Of course, the benefits seem to outweigh the drawbacks. However, getting a pet is a very responsible decision that will affect your life for the next several years or even more.
Now, knowing about the main pros and cons, you should be able to make a weighted decision for yourself. Be sure to carefully evaluate all the aspects and make a wise choice.
