The Pros And Cons Of Adopting A Cat While In College
A fluffy companion seems like a great idea when you first move out and start living on your own. As a cat lover myself, I’ve definitely spent hours going back and forth trying to determine if adopting a cat would be a good idea. Luckily for you, I acquired a useful list of pros and cons that can help you logically tackle the temptation of getting a cat!
Pro- A Furry Best Friend To Keep You Company
What better reason to get a cat than to have a friend that will stay by your side through it all! You’ve got newfound independence now, but that doesn’t mean you should be spending all of your time alone! The temptation is real and it makes total sense! Having a cat means sharing your living space with a friend that will never judge you (at least not verbally) and will cuddle with you during your nightly Netflix binge. Cats are the chilliest, coolest, content animals ever which makes them perfect company! It’s especially tempting right after moving away from home with no one to stop you from bringing in strays or adopting a kitten from the shelter!
Pro- Low Maintenance Pets
Other than needing to clean out the litter box, they essentially take care of themselves! Of course, not all cats are the same, but if you’ve got a scratching post and a bed for them to sleep on, you’re pretty much covered! They find ways to keep themselves entertained, allowing you to focus on your studies and still enjoy their company! As mostly indoor pets, they rarely get dirty and regularly lick themselves clean. Just look out for the occasional fur ball! They don’t need much space either which makes them compatible with the cramped dorm room lifestyle.
Pro- Provide A Routine
Having any kind of pet forces you to get into a routine of taking care of them. This is beneficial for becoming disciplined and responsible. While cats can largely take care of themselves, you still need to fill their food bowls and clean out the litter box! During a break in your schedule, you can take some time to relax and give them some much-needed cuddles that will boost your serotonin. Some people like to brush their cat every day to minimize shedding and others just let the cat do its thing.
Pro- Endless Entertainment
Some of the best content on TikTok is cat videos! They do the dumbest stuff and it’s bound to cause a laugh! With all the stress that comes from college, it’s good to have a feline friend around to offer comedic relief between your hours of studying! All you need is a laser pointer and you can watch your cat chase that little red dot in circles for hours! Plus, they always end up sleeping in the cutest positions and before you know it, you’ll have hundreds of photos of your cat to show off on all your socials!
Pro- Allow For Spontaneity
It’s a common concern when it comes to getting a pet that you won’t be able to spontaneously go out with friends or venture out on a weekend getaway. With cats, there’s not really much issue! Take some comfort in the fact that your pet will be just fine without you! Fill up their food bowl, top off the water, and put in some fresh litter! Unless you’re planning on being gone for longer than a week, you can trust that your cat will be okay and super happy to see you when you get home! They even make good travel companions if you’d prefer to bring them along!
Con- Stinky Litter Box
You really got to stay on top of keeping the litter box clean! One of the worst smells is cat pee, especially when in a small space that doesn’t offer much escape! Depending on the type of litter box you get, and what kind you use, this doesn’t have to be super bad. However, it can easily get out of control. Keep in mind that it’s one more thing to add to your list of chores and it must be done daily to make sure you’re keeping your place as clean as possible! Oftentimes, the litter will get stuck to their paws and get scattered across your floor. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand the feeling of having something stuck to the bottom of my feet!
Con- Costly
Vet bills, toys, food. It all adds up! Cat expenses can quickly pile up on top of your other expenses. To get started, you’ll need to first pay for the cat, which can be anywhere from free if you take in a stray, to hundreds of dollars if you want a specific breed. Hypoallergenic cats are especially on the pricier side. God forbid your furry friend gets sick, then you need to think about the cost of a vet visit and potential treatments. I definitely don’t recommend getting a cat if you don’t have a current flow of income to cover the typical expenses, and whatever else surprise costs you might get hit with.
Con- Allergies Are Problematic
While you may have no bad experiences with cat allergies, there will most likely be people in your life who do! Roommates, for example, may not appreciate having to take medicine every day for the sake of you having a cat. It’s also possible to develop the allergy over time, so while you might not be affected at first, it really sucks to suddenly start sneezing and itching all over!
Con- Lots of Shedding
Unless you luck out and find a hairless cat, you’re going to have to deal with shedding. While cats are generally good about keeping themselves clean, it’s not as good as getting brushed regularly. If your schedule doesn’t provide for the time dedicated to cleaning your living space and brushing your cat, then consider waiting until you’re better positioned for the responsibility!
Con- Impending Mortality
Nothing lives forever and one of the saddest experiences is having to say goodbye to your furry friend. Optimistically, they will live a full life and pass away peacefully from old age. However, there are many other possibilities that are just too hard to even think about. I don’t want to say much about this, but just keep in mind that with every hello comes goodbye at some point down the road.
When thinking about adopting a cat in college, keep this list of pros and cons in mind! Let us know if you took our advice in the comments!
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