When Your Pet Is Sick: The Silent Struggle No One Talks About

There are numerous benefits to living with a pet. The love and support they provide due to their constant presence are incomparable.

Most of us do anything for our pets. Research has confirmed that looking after a seriously ill pet leads to stress, which is known as caregiver burden.

A study conducted in 2017 compared people with healthy pets to those caring for pets with serious diseases. It reveals that people looking after unwell pets complain of not having enough time for themselves due to the time they have to spend with their pets. They had a poor quality of life, and they also showed symptoms of depression.

The pet parent of older dogs (more than 8 years) shows symptoms of negative psychology and physical and financial outcomes.  This is due to the burden of care as older dogs may suffer from ailments sometimes as severe as dementia.

Dogs with severe cognitive dysfunction require more care, and pet owners who live alone don’t have another person to support or help them.

The burden of care in other situations

• Significant pet disease leads to stress in caregivers.

Behavioral problems in dogs like aggression or separation disorder are linked with clinically significant strain in more than 68% of people.

• Uncontrolled seizures in pets lead to stress.

Epilepsy in cats.

• Caregiver stress is more in younger people than 55.

More in those who feel less supported by their vet.

How do pet parents with stress behave?

• They visit the vet very often.

• While consulting for their pets, they become angry or emotional.

• Due to strong emotions and complex needs, they become impatient.

How to get help?

• Search for a vet whom you can trust with.

The vet will surely provide help and support to deal with the disease and the situation.

• Do not hesitate to ask for help from family and friends.

We often ask for help when we bring a pup home, but why not when they are sick or when they need care?

• Remember it’s okay to feel frustrated and overwhelmed sometimes.

This doesn’t show that you don’t love them, but it is time to realize that care is hard.

Despite many hardships, caregivers find comfort in a deep connection with their pets.

They have a view that the pet has given so much to them, and it’s now their time to pay them back.

We’re all better when we support each other. Recognize and support people struggling with caring for their pets.