Pros & Cons Of Having A Pet In College
There’s no doubt pets are an important part of life for many people. But before moving into student apartments Knoxville, TN, residents will want to consider the pros and cons of having a pet in college. Knox Ridge is pet-friendly, and we have tenants who choose to live off campus with us precisely for that reason. We also rent to students who decline to bring their family pets because the situation would be untenable in their eyes. So, while pets are beloved, living with them in college requires trade-offs. And it’s only fair to your furry friend that you contemplate these trade-offs before bringing a pet to live with you off campus.
BENEFITS OF A PET IN KNOXVILLE
There are many documented benefits of owning a pet. Companionship is perhaps the biggest of these, while other benefits pertain to health, including lower blood pressure and even a longer life expectancy. But some pet benefits apply more specifically to students in Knoxville off-campus apartments.
OUTDOOR EXERCISE
If you’re the type of person who gets caught up in studying in your room, a pet is the perfect reminder to go outside and take a walk or get exercise. Even when you feel sluggish after a full day of classes, a quick trip outside with your pet can provide a welcome reprieve and a boost of energy.
RELAXATION
After long study sessions, few things are more relaxing than spending time with your pet. Petting an animal is a natural stress reliever, and when the demands of school start to pile up, your pet is there to relax you by serving as a reminder that everything is alright.
SOCIAL INTERACTION
A pet may be a companion to you, but that animal is also a great excuse to break the ice with other students or peers. Taking a dog for a walk is likely to attract the notice of other dog lovers, who may be inclined to stop and chat. Or maybe someone on your same apartment floor sees you carrying cat food to your room and uses that as an opportunity to start a discussion about your shared love of pets. Whatever the case may be, a pet can be a great facilitator of social interaction among students.
DOWNSIDE OF A PET IN STUDENT HOUSING
The trade-offs that come with having a pet are different for a student living off campus than they are for the average pet owner. There are several factors that students could confront that are potential downsides of owning a pet.
DAMAGE COSTS
Maybe your pet is well behaved, but all it takes is one incident where damage happens in the apartment for the costs to be substantial. And damage costs can even be incidental, such as a cat that gradually scratches at the carpet, or a dog that chews on the furniture. But for a tenant on a student budget, the potential cost of damages if something were to happen isn’t worth the risk of living with a pet.
BUSY SCHEDULE
A student’s day is occupied with going to classes on campus and dealing with the unpredictable demands of homework, study sessions, and big research projects or thesis papers. Some students also work at jobs outside of school. So, considering all these activities going on, you may find your schedule is too busy for you to also take care of a pet.
NOISE COMPLAINTS
When a pet lives in the apartment, you’re responsible for its behavior. If your dog likes to bark when it wants food or a walk, for example, that noise can upset your neighbors and lead to complaints for which you’re liable. For a student with other matters to focus on, such as schoolwork or a part-time job, a noisy pet could be one too many things to handle.
PETS AT KNOX RIDGE
Knox Ridge accommodates pet owners as well as those who wish to be apart from pets. Pet-friendly apartments enable students to bring their animals with them if they desire. While for students who are allergic to animals or don’t want to live with pets, our roommate matching services can account for these preferences. Designated on-site pet areas also make it easy for pet owners to walk their animals outside, and for tenants who don’t like pets to avoid the areas where animals are. And while our apartments are pet-friendly, we also hold pet owners responsible for the actions of their pets while living at Knox Ridge.
STUDENT APARTMENTS IN KNOXVILLE, TN
As students move off campus housing near UTK is growing in demand. Knox Ridge is particularly in demand because we represents a new trend in amenities-driven student housing. Using a combination of fun activities and school-related resources, we’ve created a student-centered community right here in Knoxville, TN. From our themed pool and fitness center to in-unit Wi-Fi and free shuttles to campus, Knox Ridge offers a balanced environment for living and learning that students will appreciate. Schedule a tour of our furnished townhomes and other amenities today!