For many people, myself included, their pets are part of the family. When you adopt an animal, you assume responsibilities, and one of them is to care for them and look after them when they need it. However, some people equate pets with possessions, failing to understand the psychological toll that becoming a caregiver for a sick animal can take.
When those people are your closest friends, coworkers, bosses, or even your partner, the tension and anxiety you already experience regarding your pet’s health are compounded by the lack of understanding from others and the feeling of being alone, or almost alone. All of this causes great wear and tear, not only physically but also psychologically. This wear and tear is often overlooked. Everyone prefers to ignore it. But denying its existence doesn’t make it any easier to bear; on the contrary.
Caregiver syndrome also affects those who care for their pets.
Caring for a sick pet, when there is a deep emotional bond, represents an emotional, social, and economic burden. As a result, we can suffer from what is known as “caregiver syndrome.”
This syndrome is characterized by extreme psychological and physical exhaustion. The person, who until then had led a relatively normal and stable life, is suddenly forced to face a new situation for which they are unprepared and which consumes a large amount of their time and energy.
The caregiver is subjected to constant stress caused by the daily battle with illness, which depletes their physical and mental reserves. This person assumes a great burden, both physically and emotionally, responsible for medication, ongoing medical visits, and the care of their pet.
Little by little, these cares consume more and more of your time, so that, in order not to neglect other areas of your life, you neglect yourself. Free time to relax and unwind becomes a utopia, which generates even more tension. It’s also common for you to abandon your hobbies and neglect your personal appearance because you don’t have enough time for yourself. In the long run, this will take a heavy toll.
The profound impact of misunderstanding
A study conducted at Kent State University’s College of Arts and Science looked at 600 people caring for sick pets and found that the effects they reported were very similar to those experienced when caring for a person: stress, anxiety, depression, decreased quality of life, and a significant emotional burden.
What was most interesting was that these psychologists used the same test used to assess caregiver syndrome. This allowed them to compare the results of perceived stress from caring for a family member and a pet. They found that those who cared for others scored an average of 20 points, while those who cared for their pet scored an average of 25.42 points.
It’s worth clarifying that these differences are not due to people having closer ties to their pets than to their families, but rather to the fact that they don’t have sufficiently strong support networks.
The people who participated in the study were the ones who provided clues to explain this phenomenon. Many reported feeling trapped, not only by their pet’s illness and the care it required, but also by the lack of understanding from those closest to them, which often ended up generating arguments. It also didn’t help that they were constantly questioning their decision to care for their pet.
One of the points on which the most stressed people agreed about caring for their sick pet was the feeling of isolation, the lack of social support, and not having anyone to talk to about these feelings, since many told them they had lost their minds or that they were sacrificing themselves for nothing.
Less criticism and more empathy
This research is not intended to equate human care with pet care, but rather to generate greater social awareness and empathy toward people who have decided, out of genuine love and firm conviction, to care for their sick pets instead of throwing in the towel.
It’s about putting yourself in their shoes and understanding that they’re going through a particularly difficult time. If we truly care about that person and want to help them, it won’t do any good to criticize them or blame them for their decision; it’s better to support them, even if we don’t share their point of view.
Sometimes a listening ear or a friendly shoulder to cry on can work wonders. Let’s not forget that.
Reference:
Spitznagel, M.B. et. Al. (2017) Caregiver burden in owners of a sick companion animal: a cross-sectional observational study. Veterinary Records; 181(12): 321.
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