Pets at Uni - has anyone managed?

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I have 5 tarantulas, a crested gecko and a beardie... the beardie is gonna have to stay at home, but I'm hoping I can take the rest :tongue:

the good thing about reptiles and invertebrates is that they don't smell, don't make a mess and don't make a noise (although I wouldn't recommend one without properly researching how to care for them)

Reply 21

EckoGecko

Original post by doriandaniells

Crested Geckos only eat a powdered fruit diet (a bag costs £10 and last over a year). Also, they can be kept in appropriately sized tubs and require no heating or insects, so are super cheap to keep.

Fair enough, I was referring to Leopards.

Reply 22

xander93

Original post by AnnaW123

Just wondering if anyone has managed to keep pets at uni in halls, i've never lived a day of my life without a pet so it'll be a weird change for me, was just wondering if anyone had managed to have a pet in uni accomodation :smile:

Just what's the point? Their quality of life won't be very good either, you might even forget about them.

Reply 23

Stevo112

When me and an ex split up I inherited our hamster :rolleyes:

The hamster had to stay with me during 1st year, but thankfully the cleaners never turned up and so my room was never checked! The hamster was well chuffed :biggrin:

I used to let it run round the kitchen in its ball :wink:

Reply 24

Leooonie

I don't know anyone in Uni accom that has... But I know people with tarantulas. I have my 'own' house so brought my dog . I then obtained a kingsnake which only became a problem when I had to go home with it and tell my mum/stepdad who are the landlords and my mum was fine but my stepdad threatened to kick me out!!!!! So just be so so wary if you get anything.

Small reptiles are easier generally, as are most insects.

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Reply 25

jammy66

If anyone plans to go down the snake route, I agree avoid any heavy bodied snakes. I have a Boa constrictor which isn't too bad but his tub was an 83L really useful box, a barons racer (do not advise this to anyone who's not had/kept snakes before) in a large exoterra. So they were a sod to hide... And the same thing going down the African pigmey hedgehog routes, they need a 4ft enclosure from the outset so you'll also need to plan ahead to where your likely to be able to hide them if necessary.

Reply 26

AnnaW123

Oooh! I'll look at Crested Geckos :smile:

Reply 27

laura1234

I have a friend who studied in falmouth, a cat kept sneaking into one of the halls so they (unofficially) adopted it.

Reply 28

kat2pult

I had seamonkeys in halls :smile:

I kept them on the window sill and no one ever said anything. Having said that, they're so small it just looked like I had a small empty pot of water.

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Reply 29

F Ellen

My uni has a strict no pets rule.

I have a leopard gecko, and as I can't bring her with me my mum is going to look after her for me.

I asked the uni about fish, and those aren't allowed either, so my tropical aquarium stays at home too.

Really going to miss not living with animals, thankfully it's only for a year.

Reply 30

Mutedmirth

I don't know why you want to bother with a pet in uni. Because you have to hide it, you can't give it the proper sized tank or cage they should have and left in the dark in a cupboard is cruel for most animals.

Most people will likely forget about it or feel it's a chore once they go out clubbing all the time and studying.

It's only going to be 3-4 years or more depending on course and by the time you're graduated and looking for a job you might not be able to take it with you or afford it.

I think if you really want a pet, wait until you're out of halls for the first year and find a place that allows animals. (most that say no pets means cats and dogs so will allow more exotic pets if asked)

I've had animals nearly all my life, first time I don't have any. I miss the companionship and will get some after uni and when I'm settled, but not the cleaning out, lack of space, chewed stuff (I kept rodents and rabbits), can't leave them for too long due to checking on water and food, especially if it's hot, vet bills. I also have money for myself now. :biggrin:

I still have one old rabbit and my mum is looking after him, I see him when I go home and I work in a petshop, so when we have rats in I can cuddle them.

Reply 31

WordsAndPictures

Original post by AnnaW123

Oooh! I'll look at Crested Geckos :smile:

You'll need to consider live food anyway, its healthy for them to replicate natural hunting behaviours. Crickets/locusts normally.

Honestly, I'd move in before you make any decisions. Some unis do regular and thorough checks, and you could be kicked out for having a pet. Others might not, but you might find with your schedule you aren't around enough to mist a gecko or look after a pet.

I have a gecko collection including Cresties, but they won't be coming with me. It's a hard decision and I'm dreading it, but it's fairer on them.

Also, reptile vets are expensive. That's something else to consider!

Reply 32

AnnaW123

Yeah definitely, i'll wait until i'm there before making any decisions anyway :smile:

I'm going to be extremely short on money, so wont be spending much time clubbing i dont think sadly haha! Yes, i've read that crickets or locusts 2-3 times a week are good for them, its only natural that they hunt, i wouldn't deprive them of that :smile:

It was just an idea, so i'll see what i find in September i guess!

Reply 33

jammy66

Original post by WordsAndPictures

Also, reptile vets are expensive. That's something else to consider!

That's a very good point actually. Specialists are few and far between also, for a general check up for my snakes (at my reptile vet in Portslade) it's £65 per snake, check up for my cats it's about £25!

Reply 34

Mutedmirth

Crickets are noisy so you won't be able to hide them well. I also think it would be cruel to keep crested geckos in a tub in the wardobe, unless it's well ventilated, see through and tall for them to climb and has lighting in the day. Also I would be worried that it'll get too cold for them and they aren't warm enough to digest their food.

But yeah vets would be expensive, if you can find one near you that knows anything about reptiles!

Kept my snake

I wouldn't ever keep any animal in a wardrobe, not enough ventilation, might be dusty and they need light!

Reply 37

harrifreckles

Some universities will allow pets under very special circumstances, however this would be an exception and not the norm, and would probably differ from situation to situation.

I would personally be incredibly doubtful about even bringing a hamster unless I had fully considered the whole situation. Pets need adequate space, care and routine. How will a pet deal with a party in your flat? If you go to stay with your boy/girlfriend for a few days will your pet get fresh water and be checked on? When you come home blind drunk will you remember to feed your pet? When money is low and you are scraping the last of the baked beans out of the tin will you be able to afford a surprise vet bill?

There is no reason you could not give a pet the love and attention and space it needs whilst you are at Uni... however it will require a fair amount of foresight, common sense and considering the pets needs for care :smile:

Reply 38

xander93

Original post by Mutedmirth

I still have one old rabbit and my mum is looking after him, I see him when I go home and I work in a petshop, so when we have rats in I can cuddle them.

This.

Why on earth people think it's a good idea to take pets to a cramped place where their quality of life is much lower.

The thought that some people are actively seeking out new animals that they can hide away in their rooms is frankly sickening.

Just wait a few years, or go home and see your pets if you are desperate, just don't make the animal suffer because of your selfishness.

Reply 39

AnnaW123

Original post by xander93

Yes, and as I said I would never keep any animal in the dark or in any conditions at all that reduced its quality of life! If my uni is very strict and I think that having as pet will reduce its quality of life or cause any harm to it what so ever I would never have one, in my opinion the point of having pets is to enjoy tthem being happy and healthy, I would never seek to harm an animal because of my selfishness!