Med School Pets: Cat love or Dog love?

[searun]

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My lab died two years ago, a sweet 13 year old labrador. I totally loved that girl She was my dog when I grew up as a kid and I decided that I would not get another pet until I was finished with med school and residency. But then my little brother found an abandoned kitten under a blackberry bush last summer and gave her to me, so I kept her. We are getting along great, she was litter box trained immediatley, and she sleeps on my pillow next to my ear. We have play fight games in the morning for about 5 minutes when I wake up. But sometimes when she looks at me, with that odd glint in her eye, like a cat predator, I have this feeling that if I were a little mouse, she would pounce on me and eat me. So I wonder, how does she reallly feel about me? So what do you guys think, cats or dogs for med school, or no animals at all, just be alone and study. What do you guys think?

 

[jochi1543]

My 3 cats would be following me to medical school.

 

[lisichka]

cat😍

(p.s.yay searun is back😛)

i have no clue how i could live without her. i can;t look at her without smiling 🙂

 

[0Complications]

Haha. It's funny that you mention that. I've been running back and forth for the last few weeks pulling the 8 AM class thing to the 1 AM coffee shop routine and if I had a dog I just couldn't do it.

I even feel bad for my cat. I got the crusty eye when I got home tonight and I knew that if she could pounce on me like a mouse she would have... But instead she'll probably end up peeing in my shoe...

Actually, she's great company and complains a lot less than the ex-GF... So, I vote cats.

 

[Phenol312]

personally...i think a dog or cat might be too much responsibility for someone in med school...i mean with the hours and the studying and all.

im sure people have done it many a time before, but id feel terrible knowing i wouldn't be able to play with my pet as much as i know i should. Then there are vet bills, food bills, grooming, and remembering to walk them. (im obviously a dog person)

maybe a small dog...but then again having a small dog is kinda effeminate (this is coming from the guy who currently owns two poodles )

I say...get a fish.

That's what i would do until i have established some kind of order in my life.

 

[nka1985]

I've got both (2 cats, 1 puppy), but it only really works because most of my days are 8-noon and by the time my schedule gets really busy (3rd year) I'll be married with my fiance living here and helping out. I would say that if you are living alone, stick with cats because they are less time consuming and demanding overall. Or at least get an older dog if you decide to get one. My puppy is a lot of work, but my fiance moves here in 1.5 months so I'll have help soon. How much time you will have for things like pets Does depend a lot on what med school you attend, though. I know some schools have classes 8a-4p every day.

 

[Sondra]

I have an inside dog, and I study at home just so I am available to take her outside. I also go straight home after class to take her out.

I often feel guilty that I don't have enough time to play with her, so I let her sleep in my bed at night.

I had her before I started medical school, but if I had a choice, I wouldn't have a dog while in school.

 

[arcana]

I have a one year old dog right now, and I'm planning on going to med school next year. If I get to keep him for med school, it should be fine... I'll have a big loan anyway, so what a few bucks more to spend on a dog walker?

 

[alwaysaangel]

I think a dog would be a lot in med school - especially if you're alone and living in an apartment so it doesn't have a yard. But people do it. Definitely don't want to get a new puppy while in med school - no way you'd have the time to train it.

Cats work well. I got a kitten a month into medical school and he's been my companion for the last few months. I have enough time for him and we both get what we need out of the relationship. The one thing I'd say is I try not to study out of my house since I feel bad leaving him alone all day (I only have class 8-12). So he does get more time with me than he would if I were studying in cafes a lot, and I get a little less done because I'm home with internet, food, and bed.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

3 cats here. I honestly can't imagine not having cats around these days -- my house would seem so empty. 🙁 And I'm a homeschooler, so my kitties get plenty of cuddle time. Even I weren't, they'd be fine because cats are pretty good at hanging out by themselves. Considering they sleep something like 18 hours a day, they don't have much time to miss you.

I know lots of people who have dogs in medical school, so it is doable, but it's probably a little harder. I personally would vote for not getting a really active dog unless you have enough time to spend with him/her.

Oh yeah, adding that studying with your cat sleeping on your lap is super nice.

 

[Drogba]

I'd love to get a pet for med school but I often travel overseas for vacations ;[.

 

[0Complications]

Oh yeah, adding that studying with your cat sleeping on your lap is super nice.

I wish I could, but mine feels like my books get more attention than she does so she moves from the lap to the middle of my books...

 

[lisichka]

I wish I could, but mine feels like my books get more attention than she does so she moves from the lap to the middle of my books...

OMG that is exactly what mine does😀

 

[jochi1543]

Cats are awesome. I got back from my interview and there was a giant hairball right by the entry door. To top it off, it had dried up during the 3 days I was gone, so they were playing with it.

 

[Drogba]

Are there any cats that don't shed?

 

[custard]

Are there any cats that don't shed?

 

[Dr2012]

I wish I could, but mine feels like my books get more attention than she does so she moves from the lap to the middle of my books...

My dog does that too .

I can't imagine not taking him with me to med school, he is my fam! I am def a dog person (allergic to cats), though my dog is very cat like. He used a litter box for a few years, so I may bring that back out if my hours get too crazy w/ med school. He is nice and small though, doesn't require long walks or a lot of space. Just a nightly tooth-brushing and someone to snuggle with at bedtime. 😍

 

[doinmybest5840]

Ew that is hideous. I could never have one of those, because touching it would make me sick. Hahaha. Sick.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I wish I could, but mine feels like my books get more attention than she does so she moves from the lap to the middle of my books...

Yup, mine thinks thats the only place to sleep. And moving pencils/highlighters are the funnest thing ever!

Makes it tough to study because they're soo darn cute.

Are there any cats that don't shed?

Short haired domestics don't shed badly. But it really depends on how much you need it not to shed - if you're allergic then its probably a bad idea. If you just don't want to deal with hairballs and fur all over your clothes then short hair domestics work just fine. My black short hair doesn't shed on anything that I've noticed. I'm much more likely to find my hair on my clothes than his.

 

[njbmd]

My lab died two years ago, a sweet 13 year old labrador. I totally loved that girl She was my dog when I grew up as a kid and I decided that I would not get another pet until I was finished with med school and residency. But then my little brother found an abandoned kitten under a blackberry bush last summer and gave her to me, so I kept her. We are getting along great, she was litter box trained immediatley, and she sleeps on my pillow next to my ear. We have play fight games in the morning for about 5 minutes when I wake up. But sometimes when she looks at me, with that odd glint in her eye, like a cat predator, I have this feeling that if I were a little mouse, she would pounce on me and eat me. So I wonder, how does she reallly feel about me? So what do you guys think, cats or dogs for med school, or no animals at all, just be alone and study. What do you guys think?

When I started medical school, I had decided that I wasn't going to have a pet with fur or feathers. My fiancé, who lives with me, brought home this little beagle puppy (5 weeks old) who needed care because his mother was dying of heart worms and was trying to nurse him and his sister. When I found out that he had a sister, I made him drive 150 miles to get her too.

My two beagles slept under my desk when I studied. They helped me get a little exercise (gotta walk them) and they know when I just needed some "doggy love". They are happy to see me when I come home and they guard my house (dogs are better than alarm systems in the city). They are now almost 10 years old and they have been with me through medical school, residency and now fellowship. Sure, they have to be provided for and I can't travel at the drop of a hat but they are great company.

You have your kitty and cats almost take care of themselves even when you have overnight call (dogs can't do this). Enjoy your pet and keep loads of kitty toys around.

 

[sillydoc2230]

how about a bunny? any thoughts? i've been wanting one for ages. i have a huge dog, so he can't come to med school with me.

 

[Abilene85]

how about a bunny? any thoughts? i've been wanting one for ages. i have a huge dog, so he can't come to med school with me.

Bunnies are sweet. You can leave them in a cage with litter box, food, and water for awhile. But they do like attention and will get lonely.

 

[Drogba]

Bunnies are sweet. You can leave them in a cage with litter box, food, and water for awhile. But they do like attention and will get lonely.

Don't they have a tendency to urinate everywhere when you let them out of their cage?

 

[Geekchick921]

Are there any cats that don't shed?

Even the hairless breeds shed fuzz and skin cells (which are just as bad for allergy sufferers). Some cats without undercoats like Siamese, Burmese, Tonkinese, etc. don't shed as much. And cats with just the undercoat, like Rexes, don't shed as much either. If allergies are your worry, I'd suggest a Siberian or Abyssinian, especially a female. Compared to other breeds of cat, they have a fraction of the protein in their saliva that causes most of the allergies in humans.

Several breeds of dog don't really shed. However, most, if not all of them, require professional grooming to keep them in good condition. They're commonly referred to as having "hair" instead of "fur" since it often grows continuously. Most of them are smaller dogs as well. You can find a list of them here, though I believe some of these breeds aren't recognized in the US. http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/435

As for being too busy to have a pet, my fiancé and I have a dog, and we're hoping to have a baby before I start medical school. Clearly, I'm nuts.

 

[0Complications]

Don't they have a tendency to urinate everywhere when you let them out of their cage?

I'm not sure about pee, but when I was a kid I had a rabbit and it seemed like whenever I let it out of it's cage it was run, stop, drop a grouping of little pebble sized terds, run, stop, grouping, repeat... It was so gross.

I don't know if it was just mine, but I would never own another one.

 

[searun]

Thumbs down on rabbits based on personal experience. Cleaning out their cage is not fun. Granted they are cute, but after awhile they become boring. Rabbits are just not as intellectually interesting as cats or dogs who have personalities and can be very interesting, funny, and affectionate. I love dogs but I think cats are more practical for medical school students because they are more independant than dogs who are pack animals and need constant social interaction. I never thought that I could become a cat person, but I have changed my mind.

 

[Abilene85]

Don't they have a tendency to urinate everywhere when you let them out of their cage?

We never had a problem with that. But I think he was neutered.

I agree with people above though that cleaning the cage is nasty. After a rabbit and hamster I decided never to have caged animals again. I love dogs, but wouldn't want the responsibility of owning one in med school (particularly 3rd year). In my opinion, cats are the best way to go. For now...dogs later 🙂

 

[jochi1543]

Are there any cats that don't shed?

I think it's genetic and varies among cats. I have 3 - 2 domestic shorthairs, and one DSH/Bengal cross. One DSH sheds like CRAZY - clumps of hair all the time. The other and the 1/2 Bengal don't shed much at all, and brushing them regularly helps cut down on the amount of hair flying freely around the apartment. They all eat the same cat food, so I know it's not a function of nutrition.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

My UG doesnt allow cats or dogs, but I do have fish and a turtle!