The Union on Fletcher has a great area, to take your dog for some exercise.
Coming to the University of South Florida with your furry friend? No problem, we have you covered! Living on your own can be stressful enough, and when adding either a dog or cat into the mix it can make things a little more hectic. That's okay though! As someone who has been living with pets in college for the last few years, I know all the tips and tricks to keeping your pet happy and entertained while living in your USF apartment.
Adding enrichment into your USF apartment
Since getting my cat my freshman year of college, one of the key things I noticed to keep them busy and out of trouble is adding enrichment. You may ask what is enrichment? Well, this can be really anything that will enrich your pets environment, and that will stimulate their brains to keep them entertained and stress free. Offering plenty of toys in your college apartment is the first step, but these do not just have to be toys at the store. Pet stores can be pricey, and since most college students are on a budget, some of the best enrichment toys can be made at home. This could be as simple as putting their food or treats into a blanket or tissue paper, and having them search for it. If you're bringing a cat with you to college, you can even make hiding spaces out of boxes or hang things for them to climb on as well. 
If you're bringing a dog with you to campus, you can make dog toys out of almost anything. A lick mat or some type of treat toy is one of the best ways to keep your furry friend out of trouble. This can be as easy as just taking some peanut butter and putting it on a mat, or you could gather some of your pets favorite treats, freeze them together and now your pet has something to work on if you're in class or at work! Even just taking something that can be stuffed and putting treats or a snack inside can stimulate your pets brain as well!
Still making time for your pet while in college
Being a college student is definitely a busy gig, and making sure we are giving our pets enough quality time is not always a top priority. The key thing that our pets want the most from us is our time, so making a schedule where your pet is getting a certain amount of exercise or play time every day can make things a little less stressful. If you are bringing a dog with you to USF, you could even make a roommate schedule if it's a shared pet, so the dog is getting enough exercise since college apartments usually aren't very big… Even if you just have a break in between classes or you need a break from studying, giving your pet quality attention and time even if it's only for a few minutes can make the world's difference. The more attention and exercise your pet receives, also lessens the chance of anything getting damaged from your bored pet!
Creating a stress free environment
College apartments are usually not the quietest of all places, so ensuring your pet has somewhere to go that will leave them stress free is extremely important. When animals are stressed it can cause them to have both behavioral and physical issues, but this can be easily fixed. Pets crave a safe place, so giving them a place in the apartment such as your room that is free of chaos and is quieter can make them feel safe and secure. This could be a comfy spot on the bed near a window so they can look outside, or just somewhere they can relax if you are entertaining. Introducing your pets to your guests can also reduce stress, once they know and feel comfortable with whoever is in the apartment.
Having a pet in college can truly be the most rewarding experience, but making sure your pet's needs are met is also very important. A stress free environment, with toys, and your attention are some easy steps to ensure your animal is feeling comfortable and is thriving in your college apartment.