Medical student living alone desperately wants a pet but wonders if he can give an animal the love and care it deserves, the internet's consensus: get two cats

Briana Viser • Writer and Editor

Aug 25, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

Wondering about an animals quality of life before your own is one of the sweetest things we can do for them.

It's easy to want a pet. We all get lonely, we all want something to hold, and who wouldn't want it to be an adorable, soft, cute, and fluffy pet? Even when we're kids it's easy to want a pet. Pets give us so much, and they're really a grounding to the ebbs and flows that life throws us in. Being a medical student is an immense amount of work. Long hours, constant work and studying, and lack of sleep usually characterize the harrows of being a medical student. So where does a pet fit into that world? In the story below, a medical student is thinking about getting a pet, but seriously considers if it's wise for the pet. For him, of course he can have a better quality of life with a companion, but it's not about him, it's about a pet he brings into his home. He goes to the internet for advice and explains his situation. He considers all pets, and a lot of the comments land on one idea: getting two cats. Cats are way less maintenance and responsibility than dogs, and with two cats, they have each other for companionship when he's busy studying. Cats can be surprisingly independent, so hopefully it'll work out for him to have cats.

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I want to make sure the pet would actually be happy with me too' — *Featured likenesses do not identify those mentioned.*

I'm a medical student living alone, and honestly, I've reached the point where I want a pet so badly.

I actually like living alone. I enjoy the peace, independence, and not having to deal with people all the

time. But sometimes the apartment just feels too quiet, and I'd love to have another living

being around-not a human, because clearly I don't like. humans enough to live with them.

So I'm considering getting a pet, but I have absolutely no idea what would realistically work with a medical student's schedule.

My main options right now are a dog or a cat, but I'm open to other pets too. Fish are not an

option, though.I want a pet with you can communicate(idk if its making sense).

A few things about my situation: \- I live alone.

\- I'm a medical student, so my schedule can get hectic, especially around exams/clinical postings.

Cheezburger Image 10658322688 — *Featured likenesses do not identify those mentioned.*

\- I want a pet that actually enjoys human companionship and can make the place feel less lonely.

\- I don't travel very frequently, but I do go home twice a year, usually for around 10–14 days.

\- I'd have to travel by flight, so taking the pet with me might not always be practical. I'd probably

have to use a reputable pet daycare/boarding facility during those periods.

\- I obviously want to be responsible about this and don't want to get a pet only to realize later that my lifestyle isn't suitable for it.

What would you do if it were you? I think it's fine if he gets two cats, or even one. Cats really are surprisingly low maintenance. They can go days alone. Of course, they still need a lot of love and attention. But if the choice is between getting a cat and giving it a safe life with a bit of loneliness, versus being in the streets or a shelter, than the former is obviously a better option. There's a million ways to judge a pet pawrent, but at the end of the day it's important to give credit where credit's due. If he has the best intentions then it'll probably all work out.