The best pets for college students can thrive despite your busy lifestyle while providing you with the companionship you need.
Saleema Lookman, RVTFirst venturing into the freelance space in 2016, Saleema has since had case reports and peer-reviewed articles published in distinguished journals like The NAVTA Journal and Today’s Veterinary Nurse, as well as several articles published at various digital publications.
Published August 31, 2023
Heading off to a college where you don’t know anyone can be a little intimidating, but not if you bring a pet with you. Studies show that companion animals can help support students as they transition from high school to college, and they can even kick those feelings of loneliness or stress to the curb. The thing is, not all animals are a good fit for a busy student or the dorm room lifestyle. The 10 best pets for college students are small, low maintenance, and quiet but will still provide you with plenty of love.
Are you a Minecraft fan? You can have your very own pet axolotl in the comfort of your dorm room. These aquatic critters have a lot of the same care requirements as fish, because they need to be fully submerged in the water in order to survive. Unfortunately, they’re not the type of pet you can bring out and play with, but they’re incredibly entertaining to watch. We guarantee your entire floor will want to stop in to meet your cool pet.
If you are looking for a critter you can cuddle with, consider a rat. Rats are smart, affectionate, and clean pets that form really close bonds with their owners. Because they’re so social, they do need a lot of attention, so it’s a good idea to get a pair. That way, they’ll always have someone to keep them company, even when you’re in class.
Most college campuses allow pet fish in their dorms, so getting a betta is a good bet. Even though they’re often shown in bowls, these fish need at least a 5-gallon tank in order to be happy. And did you know bettas can actually recognize their owners? So cool!
If reptiles are more your thing, you might be interested in a corn snake. Some dorm pet policies have size restrictions on snakes. Fortunately, corn snakes are some of the smallest friendly snakes, although they can still reach three to five feet long.
The great thing about these pets is that they only need to be fed every two weeks. The not-so-great thing: you’ll need to feed them mice. If you’re squeamish or don’t have a place in your dorm to keep their food frozen, the corn snake isn’t for you.
Hamsters are great pets for college students because they’re tiny and very low maintenance. Cuddling with these little guys is actually encouraged, since frequent handling keeps them tame. Just keep in mind that these little critters are crepuscular, which means they’re most active at dusk and dawn. If you’re a light sleeper, they could wake you up super early.
