having a cat in a dorm room? would you do it?

Question

ok i'm asking for personal opinion here. i live in a college dorm room all by myself - no roommates - and the room is about 15 feet wide x 20 feet long. my dog recently passed away and i have been very depressed about losing him (it happened very suddenly), and i was thinking about getting a cat to live with me in my dorm room and help cheer me up. i sometimes feel like i'm going to go nuts without a pet!

my parents said that they would be willing to help pay for care of the cat, and if i get caught with a cat, the worst i would get is a warning, and my parents said i could send the cat home to live with them if that happened.

the thing i'm worried about is if the cat might need more room (like i said, the room is about 15 feet by 20 feet), and how the cat would be with that. i would keep the cat mentally stimulated with toys and a scratch post while i'm away at classes, plus i have friends over often so the cat would get human contact.

if this were you, would you get a cat?

Answer 1

I know someone that had a cat in the dorm and they were caught within a week. So will you. The room is just too small for a cat, not to mention the litter smell.

Maybe you should get a roommate. That's part of the fun of the dorm experience! You are probably just lonely. If that is not an option, get a fish and then move off campus next year and get a cat. I got my cat the first week I lived off campus. He is now 7 and I love him as much as I did then!

Answer 2

I would not recommend it!

First of all, the space is too small. A cat needs to run around a little. It's hard enough for cats to stay inside, and you're talking about keeping this cat in one room all of the time. That's kind of cruel.

Second, the cat will cause problems that you won't want to deal with. What if it runs outside into the hallway? What if keeps you up at night? What if it scratches up your furniture? What if it gets sick and throws up or poops on the floor?

Third, and this one is crucial: YOUR DORM ROOM WILL SMELL LIKE CAT LITTER. That is a really small space to keep a cat with its food and litter box. Your room will stink!

Lastly, when you are in college, you want to have fun. What if you're out with your friends and you decide to crash at someone else's place? You can't do that with a cat at home waiting for you. Having a pet is a huge responsibility, as I'm sure you know. College is your chance to not have so much responsibility. Why tie yourself down?

You'll get a cat when you get your own apartment. It will be sooner than you realize!

Answer 3

this is a mistake by monumental proportions. It is not a thing you should do at all. It will be hell for the cat. And the dorm occupants,even if they do not live in your room, will start to complain about the smell , and the noise coming from your room. It will eventually smell like a cat box. the area is too small.

I suggest a hamster or a bird. They are cute, cuddly and you can hold a hamster and they make no noise if you keep their exercise wheel oiled. Clean the newpapers from under its feet twice weekly with fresh cedar chips and no smell either.
Birds, depending on what kind are lot so fun to teach to whistle songs, and say words, easy to clean and no smell, everybody loves a talking bird.

Answer 4

It sounds like you are still grieving over your dog (my condolences). Getting another pet to fill the void may be okay iin some situations. The situation you are in right now sounds like it may not be fair to the cat. Not because of space, but it sounds like 1) you're not allowed to have pets 2) you'll be in class most of the day or out with friends 3) the cat would be subject to your friends coming and going in a dorm room.

I think right now you need to grieve for your dog. Maybe a little volunteer work at your local shelter will help you feel as though you're bonding with "pets."

Good luck to you and hope whatever you decide it works out!

Answer 5

I'm not going to be mean here because I know how you feel. I've been caught up with animal fever when it wasn't feasible (apartments wouldn't allow it). We're living in an apartment now that allows dogs, and I so desperately wanted one a few weeks ago. Thankfully, my husband talked me out of it. It wouldn't be fair to the dog. And I don't think having a cat in a dorm room that size would be fair to it, either. Don't fret, ok? I went years and years without a cat....in fact, I went about 12 years without one....always desperately wanting one. Now I have two:) Wait until you're out of school and have a place of your own.

Just think of how much smell the litter box would produce in a room so small.

Answer 6

I understand your heartache over the loss of your dog. I don't think a cat in a dorm is a good idea.

You are embarking on a new phase in your life. You will concentrate on your studies, met new people, join some groups of people who share your interests, etc.

I am sure your college is in a community that has an animal shelter. The shelters are almost always grateful to have volunteers. You can help clean cages, walk dogs, pet and socialize cats. This can be an outlet to ease the pain of your loss without absolutely tying you down with the responsibility of pet ownership.

Answer 7

My neighbor snuck a golden retriever puppy into her dorm for a year, (She moved into an apartment after that) and she had no problem. I think you'll have problem that she had with space and litter box smells. (except her dog didnt use a litter box it used the floor and she had a double but her room mate left.) Your cat probably wont be to happy living in a very small space and you probably wont enjoy the smell of the litter box when you come home from classes...

Answer 8

I would get a cat or a small dog ( train the dog to use a cat box) I got a dog that konws how to use a cat box, it is cool because i live where there is big birds & if I let my dog outside to long or by himself he will be bird food.


but I would get a small pet.

Answer 9

Yes, I would get a cat........but then, I wouldn't be too concerned about anyone finding out. If they do, the worst possible senario is to send her home. Remember, the first time you make someone angry, (if they know about the cat), you will be reported. It's very lonely for you right now because of losing your dog, but time heals all wounds. One time, I took a Beagle puppy to work with me so we could bond. And, I worked for the Government. LOL! It took them quite awhile to find out I was smuggling my puppy inside the complex. All the guards knew but nobody ratted on me. I still grin ear to ear when I think about that little escapade. I know rules are rules, but if you are a bit risky, go for it.....

Answer 10

sorry about your dog but getting a cat right now not a good idea i have a kitten he crys all the time when i lock him in the bathroom at night so that he doesnt get stepped on in the middle of the night but anyways just volunteer at a animal sheltar