5 Tips for Housing in College with a Pet

By Lorena Roberts on March 31, 2018

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More than anything, my Whippet mix, Gio, is my emotional support. There’s nothing better than coming home from my currently very tiring, demanding, low-paying job as a waitress to my sweet boy and his happy kisses. We spend the majority of our free-time at the local dog parks, on walks, or doing various activities with our dog-friends and their owners. Having a dog throughout college has really allowed me to build my own community of dog-loving people! I’ll never regret my impulsive decision to get him from the local animal shelter, bringing him home to an apartment that wasn’t puppy-proofed and three roommates who were not so excited about his presence.

But through having a pup, I’ve also learned (the hard way!) what’s important to us as far as housing. Your living situation is always important — especially during college. You want to be in an environment that’s going to support you and provide comfort, but you’re also on a budget. With an animal, it’s like multiplying the effects of everything because you’re now making decisions not only for yourself, but also for another living thing. So if you’ve decided to adopt, or if you’re bringing your family pet to college with you, here are five things you should know about housing:

sleeping puppies

via Pexels.com

1. Are roommates really a good idea?

Having a pet is a lot of responsibility. Living with other people can sometimes be stressful. If you merge both of these by having a pet and living with people, you’re asking for a lot of tense situations. From my experience, it’s easiest to live alone when you have a pet. However, if your roommates are willing to also care for your animal, it might not be too bad.

2. Will your roommates have other pets?

This is likely one of the biggest issues when it comes to having a pet and living with other people. If your roommate also has a pet, it might be tough to adjust. If they don’t get along, your housing situation and your home life is going to be much worse than it needs to be. Consider making sure both animals have plenty of time to meet and engage before you move in together. If they’re “friends” beforehand, it’ll make the transition much easier.

3. How much space will you have?

Think about the size of your pet and how much room they’ll need to be comfortable throughout the day. For example, dogs that are generally more active will need daily trips to the dog park, or a large backyard for exercise. The last thing you want to do is encourage bad behavior by “trapping” your pet in your home. So while it’s likely that you’re on a budget for housing, make sure you consider your pet as well.

4. What kind of flooring will you need?

For dogs who misbehave when their owners are gone (most likely because of separation anxiety), it’s important to think about potential issues — especially when it comes to flooring. Brand new carpets or new hardwood floors will be something your apartment complex or landlord will feel “protective” over. If they’ve just spent a good chunk of change on renovations, they’ll likely expect you to replace the flooring if your pet tears up the carpet or scratches the floors with their nails.

Investigating these types of things before moving into a place with a pet is very important. Don’t allow yourself to get screwed over.

via Pexels.com

5. Pet fees/monthly rent additions.

Most apartment complexes are coming up with this “great idea” to charge for having a pet on a monthly basis. You should definitely look into how much money you’ll be spending over the course of your year-long lease if you bring your pet with you. Sometimes it’s worth it — but it might not be!

When it comes to finding the perfect place to live in college, you’ll likely have to make some sacrifices. It’s tough to work off of a budget, but also live somewhere comfortable, in the perfect location, with all the necessities. You’re either going to have to live without a dishwasher, or end up being okay with visiting a laundromat every week. On top of the normal stressors to finding housing, if you have a pet, it can sometimes make things even more complicated. Suddenly there are thousands of other things to consider. Square footage, access to the outdoors, roommates, and fees are all things that become important when you think about moving in with a pet during college.

If you’re anything like me, having your pet with you is the most important thing, and you’re willing to sacrifice an extra $30 per month to have them with you. Before you make a decision about moving in with a pet during college, consider all of your options, including the quality of life for your pet.

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