In college, there is nothing sadder than having to say "goodbye" to your pets when you leave home. If only there was a way that we could take them to school with us. Unless you have a service dog or emotional support pet, you can't just walk in the building with your pet by your side. However, you could bring your little loved one with you if you're sneaky enough. While you may want to bring Fido with you, you may have to bring a different pet other than your dog. Here's 10 pets you could sneak in if you try hard enough.
1. Fish
Alright, this may not be the most exciting pet, but most dorms allow students to have fish. The bright side about getting a fish is that most dorms allow you to have them so you could just walk right in with the tank without having to take it right back to the car. Goldfish are the go to fish of many but why blend in? You could get a fish that is full of color like a Beta fish or a bright Guppy. However, if you do decide on a Beta fish, know that they are jumping fish and must be in a tank with a breathable lid.
2. Hermit Crab
These little guys are my personal favorite (I have 2 in my dorm room). You can get hermit crabs from any shoppe on the beach as well as many pet stores. They are quiet, odorless, and hypoallergenic pets. Unlike fish, you can actually take them out of their tank and hold them or let them crawl around. Hermit crabs do pinch but that is just a risk you will have to be willing to take.
3. Sea Monkeys
What more can I say? They are guaranteed to grow and once they start growing, they don't stop. You can't really play with them but hey, they look cool. You don't even have to feed them.
4. Dwarf Hamster
Now this is a pet you can hold onto. These little critters do require a bit more of a cage and more maintenance than some of the other pets mentioned. Dwarf hamsters are smaller than regular hamsters and are even cuter making them an ideal pet for a dorm room. You'll just have to be discrete about throwing away the dirty bedding when you clean the cage and even more discrete when bringing the cage in through the lobby.
5. Leopard Gecko
These geckos can be kept in a 10 gallon tank which is the perfect size for a dorm room. Like many other lizards or geckos, they can drop their tail at any sign of trouble. However, they are nocturnal and do require a heat lamp; they may not be the best pet if you have a roommate. Fun fact time: they use their tails as food storage in case you forget to feed them, so their tails can get really big.
6. Sugar Glider
Now here is the perfect pocket pet for you. Once these animals have bonded with you, they can be taken anywhere without their cage; just be careful because they cannot be potty trained. This small marsupial, weighing at most 6 ounces, is a very clean pet as it bathes itself. They're also nocturnal. If you're someone that tends to have allergies, then this is the pet for you.
7. Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are a popular pet among college dorms. While they may not be the softest pet, you can take them out around friends to show off. However, if you live in certain states, it is illegal to keep them as pets because they are considered wild animals. These animals should be kept by themselves as they are solitary animals. With very little smell and inexpensive care, a hedgehog could be a great pet for the right person.
8. Cat
Have your cat and rush it too! If you live in a dorm or a suite, a cat could be perfect for you; just make sure your roommate isn't allergic. Since cats don't go to the bathroom outside, you could easily make a cat work as long as you have a way of getting a liter box and liter into your dorm. Besides, who doesn't love cats?
9. Tarantula
If you're into creepy-crawlies, then this is the pet for you. These furry creatures do have a painful bite, so handle with care. They don't require a large tank thus making them a good pet for your dorm room. You just have to be sure they don't escape or else you may not have a pet anymore.
10. Frog
Here's a pet that will be fun to watch but you can't do much else with. Most frogs you buy from pet stores need to be kept moist so that they don't dehydrate. There are aquatic and semi-aquatic frogs, so the tank size will vary. Frogs can also get fairly big with a big ribbet to match.
