Need advice on whether to adopt a cat

[smellielli]

I've never used anything like this but I am currently a sophomore in college and considering getting an emotional support animal to help with the anxiety and loneliness I've been feeling at school recently. However, I don't want to harm a cat if a dorm is not a suitable home for them. I currently live in a double room but I was never given a roommate, so I have more space to begin with and the dorm is already much bigger than my first year dorm. I've done the financial research and I'm willing and able to take on the financial aspect and provide for a cat including posts and "obstacles" for the cat to use to help so it wouldn't get bored. I've never taken care of an animal by myself before and I dont want to make a cat's life worse just to make mine better- basically I'm just asking for advice/tips for cats living in dorms and if they can handle it?

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. I want to thank you for being responsible and being concerned about the cats well being.

You mean the cat would be in your dorm room, right? Is there a chance the door could be left open and your cat could escape? Will you be okay with a litter box in the room. It will have to be scooped twice daily and totally changed once a week.
Do you smoke or vape, or like to burn incense or scented candles? None of that should be around a cat. Cats are also sensitive to any kind of air fresheners or essential oils. All that is toxic to cats. Plants and flowers are also toxic to cats.

One good way to see if it would work is to foster a cat for a local shelter. That way there is no commitment.

With a cat you will have to at the very least check on them twice a day, so no going out of town or vacations unless you can find someone you really trust to look after them or board them.

Cats are a big responsibility that should last 18 to 20 years. You would do much better with an adult cat instead of a kitten. Kittens are best kept with other kittens and are a ton of work. A 5+year old cat, in my opinion, would be best. Still a 15 year commitment.

 

[rubysmama]

Hello and welcome to TCS. The topic has come up a few times in the past. Here's links to the threads a quick site search on "dorm" found, in case you want to check them out.

Cat in dorm room?
Can a cat live in a dorm room?
Dorm Friendly Cat Furniture?
Possible To Have Two Cats In A Dorm Room Peacefully?
College dorm room a good home for kitten?

Also these TCS articles should have a lot of information that might be helpful, if you decide to adopt a cat.
15 Things You Should Know Before Adopting A Cat - TheCatSite
First Time Cat Owner's Guide - TheCatSite

 

[Kris107]

Welcome to TCS! Good to read through links shared above. I lean towards this not being the best idea. First, I didn't know dorms allow pets! Even though my college experience was a while ago, I still remember it. It's a big change, it can be lonely, but it is also a time when you start learning more about yourself, learn about how to deal with new situations, and don't have to deal with too many big life responsibilities yet. Some of the friends I made in college, I am still friends with. If you have anxiety, this is a good time in life to really focus on dealing with that - gaining tools to help throughout life. A cat is a lot of responsibility and can cause stress and anxiety sometimes (see all threads about cat health, cat escapes, etc). That would be a lot when you're trying to focus on finals or need to go to the library to study or the neighbors keep partying. It is wonderful that you're thinking about it and not just doing it. I'm just giving my 2 cents - take it or leave it. I just can't imagine my college experience if I had had a cat. I probably would have stayed home with it instead of ever experiencing things!

 

[Margot Lane]

I was so busy at college I never had much time for too much extra curricular stuff but as Silent Meowlook has pointed out, fostering might be ideal. Either that, or actually working part time at a shelter, maybe even just a couple hours, or starting a campus TNR group, if there are a lot of strays around. Maybe offer your services as a pet sitter for professors?

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I have known cats that did very well, indeed, in dorms...and cats who did not. FIRST, check with the college on their requirements. Some allow animals, others do not. Second, this is a major commitment, and one that could run on for 18 or more years. Almost like rearing a child...but one who will never be able to make their own meals. Which means IF you make a group of friends, you'll miss out on some activities, because the cat has to be fed, played with, have the box cleaned while everyone else is out partying or road-tripping for a weekend. While you'll be able to do some travelling, you'll have to make arrangements with SOMEONE VERY RELIABLE to take care of your cat, which often means boarding, given the reliability of too many college students. Spur-of-the-moment things are just not possible with a cat.

You have done some very good work on some of the responsibilities of having a cat, but do consider these further ones before making a final decision.

 

[Meowmee]

I don’t think it’s a great idea. A dorm is not a place to raise a cat etc. if it were a dog who were already trained as a service animal, it would be a different story. Emotional support animals do not get the training that service animals do such as dogs who help people with vision problems and other things.

A cat or kitten is too prone to being able to escape. If you were living in the dorm, people are coming in your room etc. or you might be very busy and not notice and so on.

As a student things can change in your life, financially and otherwise, you may transfer to another school, you may get a job have to move. A lot of people end up giving up their pets when that happens unfortunately.

While these things could happen to anybody and do, I think it’s more likely to happen with students. I see a lot of cats especially on online adoption sites that are being given up by people who had them from the time they were a student / in college because they were moving or other reasons like that. If you don’t have a family to back you up, who would then take care of the cat if you can’t I wouldn’t do it.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to put yourself or the cat in that possible position at this time in your life. a student should be focusing on their education and the social activities if you’re living in a dorm etc.

I would not have considered ever having a cat in a dorm room, and at that time it was not allowed in the colleges that I went to.

I do remember, though, in one dorm that I was living in a student brought her Siamese cat there for the week and then had to go away on the weekend. I petsit for her, but that was a temporary thing and I think she had approval. Otherwise, I have never seen a cat or even a dog living in dorms.

I also think many rescues will not adopt to students living in dorms, maybe that has changed. I live near a college and it is known that students who live off campus often dump their cats when they leave.

 

[GranolaLouise]

" I've never taken care of an animal by myself before and I dont want to make a cat's life worse just to make mine better- basically I'm just asking for advice/tips for cats living in dorms and if they can handle it? "


It seems like a very shut up place for a cat to have a good quality of life. Imagine if YOU couldn't go outside those walls day after day?! You would try to break out for sure. Liken it to taking care of a child living with you in a dorm room.

Will the room be vacant for the duration or will the admin decide there needs to be a roommate?

What about noise? One of my cats is a meow-er ! She loves to meow for everything! What will the students trying to study and concentrate think of meowing coming through the wall? What if you are not in the room and the cat meows for you all day long? What about music and other sounds coming through to you? sounds agitate cats!

I have a little one who races like lightening when she sees a door crack open and even now I have to be very watchful when I or anyone opens a door. That's what cats do!

What if the cat needs sudden emergency medical attention...and they do! What about regular vet visits,vaccines, quality food (cheapo food will make you pay for medical problems up the road $$$$$ ?
What if YOU are sick...who will change and dump that litterbox a few times a day so the cat doesn't poop on your floor?

IMHO, I think a cat in a dorm is a terrible idea , may be good for you, but it works against the cat's wellfare.
There are so many other pets suitable for a dorm room.
I think in keeping a cat locked in a dorm room , the CONS outweigh the PROS.
You will soon try to give the cat away or just let it escape when the burden gets too much. It is adding tasks on to your schedule, not easing it! You will have that cat in your life for 15 years or more!

PLEASE CONSIDER CAREFULLY

 

[alysker]

I really think it depends on the size of your dorm room and the amount of time you spend at home. I've seen dorm rooms that are big enough for cats and personally while studying I wasn't away from home for more than 3 hours at a time. But on the other hand I've seen very small dorm rooms and students who were away all day.

If you take into consideration everything everyone else has said and you think a cat will fit in your situation. I'd highly recommend getting an older shelter cat. While they still need a lot of care and enrichment they may need less space to run around than a younger cat. Also I think a shelter cat is always better off in a loving home than in a shelter. That's why we adopted our cat. My apartment is around 50 square meters and my younger cat is fine right now but we also know that we'll find a bigger place soon.

 

[game misconduct]

i would go with a rat they arent to high maintenance will not get in your way while your writing last minute papers etc like how a cat would being the nosy pets that they are ultimate low maintenance pet would be a tarantula you cant hold it though but the are nice to just look at

 

[stephanietx]

At this stage in life, I wouldn't recommend it. School is super stressful and busy, so time is limited. Also, there's veterinary care and food to take into consideration. A good alternative may be to volunteer to play with kitties once or twice a week at a local rescue. They usually need the help and you would enjoy the time with them. It's a win-win situation.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

As you can see, this is not cut-and-dried, and there are a LOT of opinions.

I will address the space issue. When I went to school, our dorm rooms, while not enormous, were plenty large enough to accommodate a cat, with a bit of creative use of climbing spaces (cat trees, etc). There are literally millions of cats living in tiny New York City apartments, quite happily. It depends on your determination to make what space you have very cat-friendly. Check YouTube for videos on "catification," the art of making the most of spaces for your cat.

 

[Cat McCannon]

On the one hand, any pet is a commitment, a commitment that lasts for the life span of the animal. A pet is entirely dependent on you for food, shelter, safety and its very life.

On the other, (short of a spouse, child, best friend) there’s nothing like coming home to a fuzzy faced quadruped who’s happy to see you to take your mind off the stresses of the day.

 

[iPappy]

I think you have gotten some great advice and some things to think about.
On the anxiety...please keep in mind if that if you leave a cat in a dorm room, odds are they'll be perfectly safe but your mind will come up with several scenarios (real or imagined) that could happen, that could potentially make your anxiety worse.
If you've never cared for a pet on your own, would you be open to the idea of volunteering to help care for and play with the cats at a local shelter or rescue before you adopt one of your own? You'll be able to see what goes into the daily care and be around people who have experience and can answer any questions you would have. Plus, the cats would love the extra attention. They will help you feel less lonely, and you might even meet human friends who love animals just like you do! Not to mention, if you do decide you'd like a cat of your own, odds are you'll already have one you're a little attached to that might "choose you", so to speak.
I've known cats who live in homes that were almost mansions and cats who have traveled with their owners in RV's. I think their needs can be met no matter what the living situation is so long as the owner has ways to make sure of it. I really give you a lot of credit for thinking this through before jumping into a decision!

 

[mani]

I don't know enough about American colleges to comment.
I just wanted to say that your comment : I dont want to make a cat's life worse just to make mine better shows compassion and awareness. I do hope the advice you've been given is helpful.

 

[Kwik]

My advice is "no" but I think a " pet" is a great idea- perhaps as game misconduct suggested,a rat?But most animals ( even rats) deserve your time,commitment and companionship and if you are a serious student with many classes then there's not much time spent in your dorm room

The issue regarding cats is that they ard very territorial,they thrive in familiar places and most cats are very stressed by " change " - each year when you move a cats taken out of their territory and would have to establish another one and then of course when you graduate you'll me moving again..... cats are not like dogs,they ard not pack animals that easily go from place to place because they have a bond with their person ( as in pack)..... Cats more or less "bond:" with places and which is what makes them feel secure ,,safe and not frightened.....

A friend of mines son lives in a dorm with his cat - the ESA card does give a pet exemption from no pet rules BUT they are not exempt from the Law as a Servjcd Anjmal is- that means your not permitted by Law to take your ESA animal wherever you please. The young man I'm talking about is autistic,so he has no friends,gets no company and goes nowhere except his classes,he brings his cat to his Mom's house when on break and she is a sheer terror at my friend's house,lol.... It's not her territory,there are 2,resident cats there , she marks and scratches everything because it's very stressful for her- however she does very very well in her own home( the dorm) imo it's not fair for the cat but it's nit my son or my cat

How about a pair of gerbils- or hamsters- they'll have each other and you can enjoy playing ,petting and having pets as your time allows plus they are snug as a bug in a rug without your attention

 

[catapault]

If you get two of any animal make sure they are both of the same sex or are neutered. Otherwise there will soon be more than two.

 

[Alldara]

**Dont get a pet rat instead of a cat. Proper rat care takes significantly more time per day than a cat and the vet care is more expensive. As a former rat owner, I was able to keep my cats when sick, I was NOT able to keep my rats.


If your dorm allows cats, and you can afford pet insurance, an older cat (not a kitten. One 3 years or older.) could be a good fit. But you also need to consider summer accommodations as well and how you'll fare with moving.


I got Nobel in my last year of highschool. I took him with me for University. I lived off campus with other students and confirmed that I could bring him home during the summer. He liked it because one of us was usually home. He was social and loved visitors. My classes were not long and I didn't need to maintain a part-time job. His vet care was affordable and I was able to keep money aside on credit for emergencies.

I was never one for parties. My friends could cat-sit. We moved a lot, in our younger years but I have no regrets of traveling through life with Nobel. I had him 17 years.

So really it depends on your circumstances.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Ratties do make wonderful pets, but they ARE time-intensive, and SO social that a single rat does not do well at all. Two are necessary, same-sex, of course. AND appropriate caging is essential, and expensive. So is frequent, well-supervised time outside of the cage. And, should you consider this, make sure that there is a vet who handles exotics available! Cats, in the end, are, in many ways, far easier.

 

[Kwik]

Ratties do make wonderful pets, but they ARE time-intensive, and SO social that a single rat does not do well at all. Two are necessary, same-sex, of course. AND appropriate caging is essential, and expensive. So is frequent, well-supervised time outside of the cage. And, should you consider this, make sure that there is a vet who handles exotics available! Cats, in the end, are, in many ways, far easier.

I do so agree,rodents do not do well alone and rats need far more attention ( if you want a social cuddle rat) - That's why I suggested gerbils or hamsters,they do so well in pairs and are not so needy as rats

I always had ferrets but boy oh boy they were even more demanding of my time,attention and affection than my Bengal!!!-In college I did have a ferret who came to class with me in her carrier that looked like a back pack and another one that looked like a purse but mostly she was inside my jacket or sweater - she was a good girl and she'd only rustle around in her carrier when she needed to do her business- only one Professior put up a stink about "Trouble"- I'd not recommend a ferret to anyone thst does not want a constant companion and who does not want a high maintenance pet.....she was almost like an appendage to me-through high school & all through college - she lived to be 9