College students with pets can be less stressed and less lonely, but making the situation work calls for commitment and cooperation
By Kim Campbell Thornton
When Kate Eldredge of Vernon, New York, returned to Cornell University in 2010 for her sophomore year, it wasn't to dorm life with a new roommate. She brought along her own furry roommate: Queezle, a 4-year-old Belgian Tervuren.
Kids leaving home after graduating from high school don't always leave by themselves. Sometimes, the family dog or cat goes along as well. Studies show that having a pet at college has benefits, but only when it's done right.
Factors to consider in making life work with a college pet include the student's maturity level, the pet's personality, campus housing rules, whether the pet will receive enough attention from a busy student, and who will care for the animal if the student must be away from campus. Here, experts share their experiences and advice for making a smooth transition.
Deb Eldredge, DVM, notes that her daughter Kate was already an experienced dog trainer and handler at the time she left for college. And she knew that Kate's course schedule as an English major gave her enough time to make sure Queezle got the activity she needed.
When it comes to housing, colleges and universities that permit pets typically limit animals to certain floors or buildings. Rules address concerns such as noise, grooming and waste disposal. Pet-friendly dorms may also limit animals by size, breed or species.
When Eliza Rubenstein went to Oberlin College in Ohio in 1991, freshmen and sophomores were required to live in dorms, where pets weren't permitted. But her golden retriever, Alfy, was a huge part of her life -- they made pet-assisted therapy visits and participated in obedience trials -- and she successfully made a case for exemption from the dormitory requirement.
"I know that I missed out on some of the bonding and socialization that I'd have experienced had I lived in a dorm, but I met lots of friends with Alfy as my icebreaker, too, and I got involved with the local student-run animal shelter, which in turn introduced me to my future co-author and lifelong best friend," says Rubenstein, who wrote "The Adoption Option: Choosing and Raising the Shelter Dog for You" with Shari Kalina.
Cornell required freshmen to live in a dorm, but after that first year, Eldredge lived off campus so she could have Queezle with her.
"Although I loved my dorm, life without dogs just was not an option," she says. And her dog-friendly apartment proved to be a boon when Dr. Eldredge's own dog, Hokey, was undergoing radiation therapy at Cornell for nasal cancer.
Who pays for the pet's food and veterinary care or looks after him when his new caregiver can't be at home? College students or new college graduates may foot the bill themselves through part-time or full-time jobs, or share the expenses and responsibilities with parents.
For Eldredge, it helped to have a mother who was a veterinarian and only two hours away by car. And she arranged her schedule around Queezle's walk times as much as possible and recruited friends to help when she couldn't.
Whether young people are in school or just starting out in life, having the family pet along on the adventure can bring continuity and contentment, but it's a serious commitment.
"As positive as my own experience was, I don't know that I'd recommend taking a pet to college for most students," Rubenstein says. "College, even with no pets involved, is a time of lots of work and not much money for most of us. If you're thinking of adding an animal to the mix, be sure you plan for the challenges as well as the fun."
Q&A
Pilling cat calls for
stealth, coordination
Q: I need to give my cat a pill every day to prevent seizures, but he fights me every time. Is there an easier way to make the medicine go down? -- via email
A: Getting a pill down a cat's throat is definitely difficult. But no matter how much your cat hates the idea -- and you probably do, too -- he needs his medication to stay healthy. Here are a few suggestions that may help.
If you're dealing with a pill, the first thing to try is what I like to call the "Sneak Method." Disguise the pill by wrapping it inside something tasty, such as cream cheese, peanut butter or canned cat food. I like a product called Pill Pockets because the yummy little treats have a space where you can insert the pill. Try different substances until you find one your cat likes. (Give him just the treat plain first to get him hooked on it.) Watch your cat carefully to make sure he doesn't spit out the pill after eating the good stuff. Cats can hide pills in their mouths for a long time.
If your cat turns up his nose at the Sneak Method, try the "No-Nonsense Method." See if your veterinarian will demonstrate it first. To master this procedure, firmly but gently grasp your cat's head from above, and use the index finger of your other hand to pry open his jaws. Place the pill far back on the tongue to trigger the swallowing reflex. A sneaky way to make sure the pill goes down is to gently blow on your cat's nostrils, which will also induce him to swallow. This whole procedure may work best if you have an assistant to hold the cat while you give the pill. Be sure to follow the pill with a syringe of fresh water to help wash it down. -- Dr. Marty Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Cats' eyes have it over
noses in search for food
-- Cats may prefer to rely on their eyes rather than follow their noses when it comes to finding food, according to a study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science by animal behaviorists at the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom. Cats have a super sense of smell, but at least under test conditions, when given a choice, they were more likely to use vision than scent to obtain a food reward. Different cats had stronger preferences, and professor Daniel Mills, who supervised the study, says, "If there is a cat which has a strong preference for using its nose, then simple changes in the smell of the environment might have a big impact on it, whereas, for others, it may be insignificant."
-- Exercising with dogs used to mean walking them around the block, but more trainers are offering fitness classes that include dogs as an integral part of the workout. From "Exercise With Your Dog" in Madison, Wisconsin, to "Leash Your Fitness" in San Diego, the classes combine activity and basic obedience, taking both to a new level. Activities include jumping up from a squat, prompting dogs to leap into the air for a treat, zigzagging through cones, yoga stretches and more.
-- If you see a dog who looks like a miniature Siberian husky, you might be looking at an Alaskan klee kai. A new breed created within the past 30 years, the klee kai is a playful and energetic dog who enjoys long walks and hikes, dog sports such as nose work and agility, and playing with toys. They will "talk" to you when you come home from work, spending several minutes telling you about their day. This breed is best suited to an active person or family with an endless supply of lint brushes and a powerful vacuum cleaner. -- Kim Campbell Thornton
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.
CAPTIONS AND CREDITS
Caption 01: Even if you can't bring your own pet to college, many universities, including Harvard, Yale and Drexel, now have resident therapy dogs. Position: Main Story
Caption 02: People and dogs practice "doga" in Santa Monica, California. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2