You’re headed off to college. The bags are packed, the mini-fridge is ready, and the one thing you’re dreading most isn’t the dining hall food or the communal bathrooms — it’s leaving your family pet behind. That paw-shaped hole in your heart is real.

Before you start browsing adoption sites, there are some practical questions to answer. Does your dorm allow pets? Do your roommates have allergies or objections? What can you realistically afford in terms of both money and time? And what animal fits a small, shared space?

Here are some of the best options for college students.

Betta Fish

Betta fish are one of the most practical dorm pets you can get. They’re quiet, don’t require much space, and are genuinely beautiful to watch. A single betta needs a minimum 5-gallon tank with a heater and a gentle filter. They’re low-maintenance once the tank is set up, requiring feeding once or twice a day and weekly partial water changes.

Bettas have more personality than people expect. They’ll come to the front of the tank when they see you and can even learn to follow your finger. Just keep them alone — male bettas are aggressive toward other bettas.

Leopard Geckos

If reptiles appeal to you, leopard geckos are an excellent starter pet. They’re small, quiet, docile, and don’t require the UV lighting setup that many other reptiles need. A 20-gallon tank with a heat source, some hiding spots, and a shallow water dish is all they need.

Leopard geckos eat live insects (crickets and mealworms are the staples) two to three times per week. They’re mostly active at dusk and dawn, so they won’t disturb your study schedule. With proper care, they can live 15-20 years.

Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are quirky, fascinating, and surprisingly social. They need a humid tank with sand substrate, shells of various sizes (they switch shells as they grow), and climbing structures. They’re quiet and relatively low-cost.

The key is getting at least two — hermit crabs are social animals that can become stressed alone. They’re more active at night, so you might hear them rearranging their tank while you’re trying to sleep, but most students find the sounds charming rather than disruptive.

Small Hamsters

If your dorm allows small mammals, a dwarf hamster can be a great companion. They’re compact, entertaining to watch, and most enjoy being handled once they’re comfortable with you. They need a cage with a wheel, bedding, and enrichment items.

Hamsters are nocturnal, so plan for some wheel-running noise at night. They also have a relatively short lifespan of 2-3 years, which some students prefer since it aligns roughly with their time in school.

African Dwarf Frogs

These tiny fully-aquatic frogs are fascinating and extremely low-maintenance. They live in a simple aquarium setup, eat sinking pellets or frozen bloodworms, and are fun to observe. They’re virtually silent and produce very little waste.

They do need a secure lid — despite being aquatic, they can and will jump out of an uncovered tank.

A Few Words of Caution

Always check your school’s pet policy before committing. Violating dorm rules can result in fines or being asked to rehome your pet, which isn’t fair to the animal.

Have a plan for breaks and holidays. Can you take your pet home? Is there someone who can pet-sit? This is especially important for longer breaks like winter and summer.

And be honest about your schedule and budget. College is demanding, and a pet that needs more attention or expense than you can provide will become a source of stress rather than comfort.

The right dorm pet fills that void your family pet left behind. It gives you something to care for, a reason to take a break from studying, and a companion that makes a tiny room feel a little more like home.