It’s a furry situation

Ricardo Padilla / Assistant Photo Editor

Aaren Fitzgerald 

Silhouette Staff

When you’re forced to choose only two out of time, money and a roof over your head, a house pet seems best left to after graduation.

The solution? You find yourself a nice rock, paint a smile on it and call it Rocky. It’s no commitment, its free and can live anywhere. Unfortunately, your Facebook status “mossing with rocky” has become more literal than cute.

So you have decided to throw caution to the wind and get a live house pet for your off-campus home. There are many benefits to having a pet; they are good for your health, promote social interaction and encourage empathy. However, as a student they can come with a lot of responsibility, causing many to compromise on other commitments and shortchanging their pets or housemates, neither of which is a fair.

In addition, it is important that you get a pet that you can care for and matches your lifestyle. If training, walks and playtime are too much work for you, get a fish or hamster rather than a dog or cat. Of course if you have the support of your housemates in caring for the pet, maybe a larger pet is more realistic and suits your active lifestyle better.

Unfortunately, pets often cause a lot of friction in student homes, whether it is the method the pet owner used to convince the other skeptical roommates of the idea, that the primary care-giver doesn’t have enough time to properly care for the pet, the expensive vet bills or the debate who will take the house pet once you all move out, the decision to get a pet should be made unanimously and be open to re-evaluation if issues arise.

If you desperately want a pet while you are at university and don’t want to imagine what life would be like without Fluffy, make sure to ask your housemates and listen to their concerns.

If you are on the other side, living with a house pet you didn’t know existed before signing on the dotted line, and you have allergies or other serious issues, confronting your housemate gently about the problem is probably the best route. If they are stubborn or do not understand the problem, you can get support from an outside friend or the landlord.

While the primary caregiver is within earshot, don’t try telling your friends about the time your brother’s best friend’s sister woke up to find her snake eyeing her to see if she would make a nice snack. It’s a capricious and not a good way to get rid of an unwanted reptile.

There are two sides to every coin, and having a house pet means learning to compromise. Don’t just left the pet’s cute face, pretty colour, or cuddly personality to do all the work in convincing your housemates that it’s fun to clean out it’s litter box, cage or tank.

If you are struggling without having a pet in your life but can’t make room for one in your home, you can always volunteer at a local shelter.

This will expose you to all sorts of animals, allowing you to bond with them and give them the love they deserve. Even better, once you graduate and get a full time job, you will be better prepared to adopt one!

There are many advantages, disadvantages and hurdles when it comes to owning a pet as a student. Weigh the pros and cons before you pick up the furry friend.