Pets in med school

[Boomski]

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How manageable is it to have a pet in med school? Specifically, a dog. I'd like to bring a dog to school with me but fear that i will not have the time to take care of him as i will be busy all the time. Thoughts?

 

[Naquadria]

How manageable is it to have a pet in med school? Specifically, a dog. I'd like to bring a dog to school with me but fear that i will not have the time to take care of him as i will be busy all the time. Thoughts?

There have been previous threads on this and in one someone linked a pre-vet forum that I found super helpful discussing some of the issues. However here is my take (for whatever its worth). My dog will be coming with me to medical school. I had a semester off of classes and now seemed like the perfect time get one. Yes I will have to study at home and can't go out as much on weekends but that is all sacrifices I am willing to make. I also have amazing parents who agreed to take the dog back during my first year of internship and any away rotations during third and fourth year. If you are willing to make the time to take care of your dog then I think you should bring her. Honestly people might tell you its not fair to the dog but it is all on where your priorities are and how much time you are willing to put aside for your pet. Good luck making the decision.

PS> I have lots of friends with dogs and they all say its no prob.

 

[Barcu]

How manageable is it to have a pet in med school? Specifically, a dog. I'd like to bring a dog to school with me but fear that i will not have the time to take care of him as i will be busy all the time. Thoughts?

Tough call. I wouldn't commit to a pet until I was 100% sure I could provide the proper care for it. Personally, I would hold off and see how med school treats you first.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

My friends who have dogs during medical school also get doggy day care. Perhaps it will be easy to handle a pet first year but it will be progressively harder through second and third year.

Cats, are a different story. They seem like they are easier to maintain.

 

[NickNaylor]

Cats could care less whether you're there or not as long as they have food and water.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

Cats could care less whether you're there or not as long as they have food and water.

I'm more of a dog person but some cats are pretty active. At least with cats, you don't have to feel guilty about it being cooped up at home all day, cause that's what they want! 🙂

 

[nlax30]

It certainly is feasible. We have both and it hasn't been a problem.

And people even have several kids during med school so pets should not be a problem for most. 😉

 

[Zarika]

I have a dog at med school. Sometimes it's really nice to have her and sometimes it's a pain in the butt. I decided to bring her b/c she is old (12, which is old for an 90 pound dog), I've had her since I was in elementary school, and I didn't want to miss her remaining years. (Which I realize is morbid, but, she would be 15 when I graduate med school, so not likely).

But, it does take time. Days we have class + lab she goes to doggie daycare. I have to study at home for the most part, b/c it's not fair to her to leave her at home alone all day.

That being said, it's great to have her to cuddle with, and taking her for her walk is a great way to relax. She's good company and it's really nice to come home and have someone be sooooo excited to see you. 😍

 

[StudyShy]

I wonder what people would say about 2 dogs, a husband, and three kids?

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I wonder what people would say about 2 dogs, a husband, and three kids?

As my friend would say, so you have 2 dogs and 4 kids?

 

[Zarika]

I wonder what people would say about 2 dogs, a husband, and three kids?

That hopefully the kids help with the dogs and the husband help with the kids!

 

[StudyShy]

As my friend would say, so you have 2 dogs and 4 kids?

Yep. lol

That hopefully the kids help with the dogs and the husband help with the kids!

I'm sure it will all work out. 🙂

 

[NickNaylor]

I really want one of these guys:

 

[StudyShy]

I really want one of these guys:

Beautiful! That's the kind of dog that my brother wants.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I really want one of these guys:

Very nice. I have to live in a big city (med school and future residency) so I can only get smaller dogs for apartment living.

Although, those are still pretty high maintenance.

 

[Naquadria]

Speaking of apts. Can I just say the pet rent on top of a pet deposit is the worst idea ever? My dog does not do $50 worth of damage a month!

 

[Geekchick921]

Speaking of apts. Can I just say the pet rent on top of a pet deposit is the worst idea ever? My dog does not do $50 worth of damage a month!

Truthfully, it surprises me that dogs are allowed less often than cats. Nothing a dog can do is as bad as cat piss that has soaked into carpet or other flooring, or baseboards. The smell is ungodly. Thankfully, our apartment complex charged the pet deposit when we moved in but nothing added onto our rent.

I've always had mutts and will probably always adopt them from the SPCA or other rescue, but man, there are a few breeds I would love to have one day: Belgian Tervuren, Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd and maybe even a Papillon. I usually don't like toy breeds very much but those ones are just so cute.

Anyway, to answer the OPs question, I think if you already have a dog, that it would be fine to bring them. I do not think getting a puppy when you start medical school, that you need to housetrain and socialize, is a wise idea, though. It seems to me that medical school, at least the preclinical years, is about as demanding as a full-time job, depending on your school's class schedule and how much you need to study. Plenty of people have happy dogs while living a similar schedule. And if it's a dog that needs a lot of attention during the day, like someone else said, you could look into a doggie daycare place. At least it won't be as expensive as the one I pay for for my kid! ... 🙁

 

[BigBoosting]

Speaking of... My Brosef's coming with me

Bo:

 

[Naquadria]

Geekchick: I always gravitate toward larger breeds too and I would love to own a English Mastiff someday but I will admit Papillions always catch my eye. I ended up with a Golden though and don't regret it for a second. I love the breed. I'm trying to find an apt without pet rent down at my school but almost all of them charge per month. Yuck!

To the OP (if you were considering a puppy): I just wanted to add my agreement that a puppy or young dog is a really terrible idea for when you are just starting med school. Having just gone through the worst of the puppy stage again recently...I really forgot how much work it is and sleep you lose. For the first couple of weeks when you bring them home they (and therefore you) can't sleep through the night and during the day potty training requires nearly constant supervision. Not to mention my dog who is a larger breed couldn't hold it for more than 45 minutes during the day till about 13 weeks (no she did not have hormone issues or a bladder infection) she just loved drinking water and sucked at holding it. I can't imagine being interrupted every 45 mins while studying! It would have been terrible. Granted my puppy has been more high maintenance than previous puppies I have owned but you can't know that ahead of time.

And this is kind of random but if you do bring your dog with and you are renting maybe consider buying a cheap at home carpet shampooer. Mine has more than paid for itself by now in accident clean up. 🙂 Also be careful what breed because a lot of apts have breed restrictions. Shepards and pit bulls seem to be particularly hard to find places for.

 

[Sunny29918]

I've always had mutts and will probably always adopt them from the SPCA or other rescue, but man, there are a few breeds I would love to have one day: Belgian Tervuren, Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd and maybe even a Papillon. I usually don't like toy breeds very much but those ones are just so cute.

Papillons are really great. My mom has two of them (and she is allergic to dogs), they do not shed like normal dogs do and have spunk, but not overly much like terriers can have. Also, they look like yappy dogs, but they really aren't, a few barks when they meet someone or if someone is at the door is pretty much the extent of it. Awesome dogs, truly. 👍


In terms of the OP, I agree with previous posters that buying a new dog for med school is probably not the best of ideas, but a dog you are used to will probably be more okay. Also, maybe look into cats if you are planning on buying a pet, since they have less maintenance than dogs usually. My fiance and I are looking into buying a cat for med school, probably after we are more adjusted to the new living arrangements we will have though.

 

[addo]

wow if I took my 2 year old dog with me, my apt would be destroyed within the first day. Actually, hes a really good dog, but hes got soo much energy. I take him on like 3 walks per day and toss the ball to him outside, but he could go for double that. Actually its my mom's dog because she got him, so i wont feel so bad for deserting him.

 

[startswithb]

Cats could care less whether you're there or not as long as they have food and water.

Well my kitty never meows but if I come home after being gone longer than usual, she meows. This is a sign that she missed me.

My cat also is the perfect study partner! She lays behind my laptop screen on my desk or on my books and papers. Sometimes I have to give her her own article to read because the furs get in the way..

 

[Geneticist]

I want to get a cama. It's a camel bred with a llama...

 

[eablackwell]

I have a Yorkie, and my husband has a mutt. For the 1st year of med school my husband and I will be living apart, and he is keeping both of them just to make life easier on me (and because the on campus apartments are not animal friendly). I am upset by the fact that I will have to live off campus after 1st year (which is much more expensive in Miami) just because I have 2 dogs. 🙁

 

[Ursa]

My 3.5 y/o Golden Retriever is definitely coming with me. Here's the trick: Get a male Golden Retriever (they already have a calm demeanor) and chop it's nuts off. This way, he's as low maintenance as a cat. Problem solved.

 

[30Percent]

Very nice. I have to live in a big city (med school and future residency) so I can only get smaller dogs for apartment living.

I love corgis😍

 

[acb88]

A golden retriever almost attacked my dog this past weekend, and my dog is usually the one to bite first. I have always heard they are sweet and calm, but maybe this one was a female (term b*tch is pretty aplicable here) or was a non-neutered male....either way, it was no bueno.

Anyways, I am definitely taking my 5 year old dog with me. I just rescued him this past September, and he has turned out to be an excellent guard dog. As a single female, thats pretty convenient. He has a little too much energy for me at times, but at least it will give me a reason to get out of my house and take a walk and get some exercise.

 

[jmin]

Speaking of... My Brosef's coming with me

Bo:

D'aww he/she is adorable!

If I go to med school, I would feel wary about getting pets unless I have nearby family that can "pet-sit" for me. Or I have extra cash lying around and can easily afford pet day care.

But one question - if a med student were to adopt a dog from a shelter, wouldn't it be better to adopt two dogs rather than one? Assuming they get along.
They would be much less lonely that way right? And assuming both dogs are fully grown and reasonably well-behaved, the cost of taking care of two dogs shouldn't be significantly higher than taking care of one. Of course, I am basing this assumption based on my parents' dogs (raising two 5 lb yorkies hahaha). Might be different if both dogs are huge and subsequently have huge poopoos.

 

[Torr]

My dream dog has always been either a Husky or Malamute but definitely can't handle a dog during med school. As of right now I'm only bringing my cat and even he's a handful.

 

[Naquadria]

A golden retriever almost attacked my dog this past weekend, and my dog is usually the one to bite first. I have always heard they are sweet and calm, but maybe this one was a female (term b*tch is pretty aplicable here) or was a non-neutered male....either way, it was no bueno.
.

Off topic but....My former golden (may she rest in peace) was the sweetest dog ever until she was brutally attacked by a black lab down the street who came into OUR yard. Lucky I was standing at the door and able to scare him off or he honestly might have done some serious damage. As it was she needed stiches. Anyways after that my golden was SO agressive with other dogs. It was unbeliavable. My brother had his dog stay with us for a summer and we had to keep them seperated the whole time. Moral of the story is for non agressive dogs golden females are deceptively spunky. Still the sweetest breed ever and suprisingly low energy for an large dog breed.

 

[DaisyBuchanan]

I adopted a Papillon mix after I graduated from college and he's definitely coming with me to med school. I'm glad to see there are so many Papillon fans here! 🙂

I think it depends on the dog's temperament. I don't feel guilty at all bringing my dog because he is the laziest little guy in the world and literally sleeps all day long. If I had a big active dog like a Husky, I'd definitely look into doggy day care.

 

[Boomski]

Great feedback, thanks guys! The dog would be pretty young so i think i'd be better of not bringing it for the first few years, at least until i have everthing together. Looks like im getting a goldfish

 

[Renaissance Man]

My ideal dog would definitely be a pug, but I doubt I have the time to give it all the attention it would deserve. Plus I want to travel a lot while I am still young.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

Great feedback, thanks guys! The dog would be pretty young so i think i'd be better of not bringing it for the first few years, at least until i have everthing together. Looks like im getting a goldfish

Get a Japanese fighting fish!!!

 

[Naquadria]

Or an African Clawed Frog. Easiest pet ever!

Just be careful that it isn't illegal in your state and NEVER let it go 🙂 They are invasive species.