If you’re interested in getting a pet while in college, there are many things to consider. However, the sheer number of things to consider means that you might feel a little bit lost. If you can keep all of these things in mind, you’ll be more able to care for them as soon as you get your pet. Here, we’ve boiled it down to five things that you should think about before you go out and buy a pet.

1. Where Will You Be Living?

First of all, where are you going to be living? Will you be living with family? Will you live in a dormitory? Are you renting an apartment? Are you going to rent a home? These are all different living situations, and you may have different requirements for each. Whether its breed restrictions, general pet restrictions, or just preferences from other people, this may impact your ability to get a pet.

2. How Much Time Can You Commit to Your Pet?

Some pets need more time than other pets. An Alaskan husky, for example, will almost certainly need lots of time and care, while a snake usually needs very little time with the owner. Depending on how much time you’ll be at home and able to dedicate time to your pet, you may want to choose different breeds or different species altogether.

3. Is Anyone Else Going to Be Living With You?

If you’re going to be living by yourself, chances are that you’ll be able to adopt just about any pet you want. However, if someone else is living with you, it’s important that you talk to them about potentially adopting a pet. If they have serious allergies, phobias, or anything else that might inhibit your ability to have a pet, it’s best to know earlier rather than later.

4. Where Is the Closest Veterinarian to Your Campus?

Knowing the closest veterinarian to your campus can be an important part of caring for your animal overall. Having high-quality vets near your campus, including both emergency veterinarians and general veterinarians, is critical if you want to make sure your pet stays safe. Look up these veterinarians before you move so that you can have this information available once you do.

5. How Much Can You Budget to Take Care of Your Pet?

Finally, make sure you’ve worked your pet care into your budget overall. Pets need food, medical care, toys, and other products, and it’s important that you’re able to give your pet the exact things they need to be safe. Do a bit of research and estimate about how much money your pet will cost to care for every month – try to estimate on the higher side rather than on the lower side if you’re going to err to one side or the other.

Conclusion

Getting a pet in college can help you stay active, stay on a schedule, improve your mood, and generally make you feel better. However, it can also be a lot of work, and you should be prepared for that amount of work before you get your pet. With these five questions, you’ll be much more prepared to buy a pet that you may have for many decades.