By Bradley Katonia
For some students, moving away to university doesn’t just mean leaving home; it also means leaving behind pets, a consistent source of comfort and routine.
“Life is more boring,” De Montfort University student Jahmal Brown said. “My cat is the entertainment of the house, knocking plants over and stuff.”
What once felt chaotic and lively is suddenly quieter, and he’s not a big fan. The distance is affecting both him and his pet.
Jahmal, a 20-year-old studying business entrepreneurship and innovation, described his experience when he returns home to London during holidays and reading weeks.
“My cat’s behaviour changes when I go back, he plays more because he misses me,’’ he explained.
“So, he kind of makes up for lost time, I guess”
To some, this may seem small, but these reunions demonstrate just how strong a person’s emotional bond can be with a pet.
“He’s more hyper when I’m back, almost as if he has a strong emotional connection to me,” he added, explaining the idea that pets aren’t just animals, but part of the family.
“Being away from cats is the same as family,” Jamal said.
Despite the separation, there is a constant reassurance knowing the bond never disappears.
“It will be fine – the pet will still remember you,” Jamal said, a comforting thought for students struggling with guilt or homesickness.
The experience has even shaped the 20-year-old’s views on student life. “Uni should allow pets,” he stated.
“It’s good emotional support.”
For many students, pets provide stability during stressful periods, something that’s often missing in shared accommodation
While returning home regularly helps maintain that connection, the time apart is still difficult.
It is a very quiet sacrifice made in the aim of independence, education, and a solid future for himself in the real world
