At the end of long winter days, many University of Idaho students come home after trudging through the snow only to find themselves curled up in bed, missing one crucial thing “” a pet to keep them company.
Whether it be a cat, a dog or something more unconventional like a reptile, UI students often opt to buy or adopt pets as a way to help reduce the stressors of school.
Beth Campbell, a UI junior who grew up owning pets, said she decided to adopt her cat, Lacey, because she missed having a pet to return home to after a long day.
“It has been really good, because it’s a stress relief,” Campbell said. “It’s nice just taking a study break and hanging out with your cat.”
Campbell said she enjoys the responsibility that comes with owning a pet, and said the routine she developed for taking care of Lacey has helped reduce the stress and chaos of her busy college schedule.
When it came to choosing a pet, Campbell said she decided on a cat because they not only provide good company, but they are also more low maintenance compared to dogs.
“First of all, cats are amazing, and second, they require a lot less time than dogs do,” Campbell said. “If they want attention, they’ll make it easily known, and if they don’t, it’s the same thing.”
Campbell said her favorite part about owning a cat is their ability to be both affectionate and independent.
“(Lacey is) really needy, so she’s always on my lap,” Campbell said. “(But) my cat is so chill, that I can like, not come home for a while and she’d be fine.”
Although Campbell said she adores her cat, she’s not the only one. Campbell said guests are consistently drawn to her cat when they come to visit her home and Lacey is almost always the center of attention.
Cayla Judy, a UI freshman and dog owner, said rather than serving as the center of attention when her friends are around, her dog allows her to independently work on her studies while offering the additional comfort of a companion.
“There are a lot of times where say, I want to hang out with people, but I have to do my homework,” Judy said. “I don’t want to be alone doing my homework, but I’m not alone, I’m chilling with my dog. It feels comfortable without having other people there as a distraction.”
Unlike most student pet owners in Moscow, Judy lives in the Wallace Residence Center and said her dog lives with her in the dorms.
Pets aren’t usually allowed in the dorms, but Judy said she is considered eligible to own a pet by the UI Housing and Residence Life pet guidelines because her dog helps to ease her anxiety.
Although dogs usually require more attention than cats, Judy said she has developed a morning routine that allows her to meet the needs of her dog while also staying up-to-date on her school work. Judy said this routine includes waking up and taking her dog outside for a bit before she starts working on class assignments.
While students like Campbell and Judy prefer furry, four-legged companions, cats and dogs aren’t for everyone.
Garrett Workman, a UI sophomore, said he was introduced to the world of reptiles by a friend a few years ago and has been acquiring new cold-blooded friends ever since.
Workman said he prefers reptiles to other pets because they don’t require as much time, energy and attention as cats or dogs do.
“Snakes are much more low maintenance,” Workman said. “You can give them attention, but they don’t need it.”
Reptiles are compatible with many different types of people, and Workman said they’re a good choice for students with busy schedules that keep them from coming home often.
Workman said most reptiles don’t take up much space. They only need to be fed every week or two and one of the only challenges new reptile owners face is choosing which kind of reptile is best for them.
“The hardest thing about reptiles is the learning curve,” Workman said. “A lot of people have the issue where you go to PetCo, and you see iguanas and they look cool.”
Workman said reptiles like iguanas may look cool, but unlike other reptiles, they have special care needs and require a specific environment and diet.
Reptiles may not be the typical go-to stress-reducing pet, but Workman said he hopes they become a more prevalent pet option in the future.
“There are places where bearded dragons are the next kept pet behind cats and dogs,” he said.
Regardless of which pet someone chooses to adopt, the most important part is that at the end of the day, these pets provide students with a sense of companionship.
Campbell said now that she has Lacey, she couldn’t possibly imagine not coming home to her cat every day.
“I love Lacey,” Campbell said. “She is such a positive thing to come home to after a long day of class.”