Few things are worse than knowing your loved one is sick. That doesn’t change when the loved one who’s suffering has four legs and fur. Caregiving for sick pets can take a toll, too: Making sure they eat, feel comfortable, and get their medications can take as much time and effort as caring for any other loved one. Many older adults care for pets on their own. And in some ways, caring for a sick pet is more challenging and emotionally draining because unlike most sick people, sick animals can’t directly tell you how they are feeling and what they need.
While the stresses of “caregiver burden”—the stress or strain that caregivers experience as a result of caring for a loved one—are well documented in humans caring for other humans, less is known about the experience of pet owners caring for their furry companions.
Surveying pet parents
A study in Veterinary Record documented the toll long-term caregiving can take on owners, especially when a pet is seriously ill. Compared with people who had healthy pets, those caring for dogs or cats with chronic or terminal disease scored higher on measures of depression and anxiety, and lower on well-being tests. Researchers adapted a test used to measure caregiver burden in human relationships—replacing the word “relative” with “pet”— which suggested that levels of caregiver stress in pet owners might rival those of stress in caregivers of humans.
One reason for these results might be that pet caregivers lack the same level of support and resources available when caring for another human. While no one would expect a person to be able to take care of a sick family member 24 hours a day, seven days a week, that’s often the case for those caring for sick pets. When the sick loved one is a human, others may be quicker to offer help, recognizing the toll that ongoing care can require. And while respite programs and adult daycare services can help provide much-needed temporary relief from caregiving duties, few programs exist to support pet owners in caring for sick animals. But that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to stress and anxiety as a part of the caregiving process. Here’s what you can do to take care of yourself while caring for your loyal companion:
- Create your own respite network. Consider asking a friend or family member to help with your pet occasionally so you can take a break. If you don’t have any nearby support, many veterinary technicians provide pet care services or know of people who do. Alternatively, consider hiring out other tasks, such as housekeeping or grocery shopping, to ease the burden.
- Keep notes. Part of the emotional burden comes from having to remember—and worry about forgetting—your pet’s medication schedule and keeping track of eating and “bathroom” habits. Create a simple written log to rely on instead. You’ll also be able to pinpoint any changes in behavior more easily if you keep track.
- Take care of your own health. You’ll be a better caretaker if you’re healthy yourself. Be sure to get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet, and stay active. Even if you just take a short stroll around the block or cut back on sweets, every little bit helps.
- Discuss treatment options and goals with your vet. Have an honest conversation about what your expectations should be for your pet’s quality of life and care needs. Schedule regular care conversations, which should include your preferences, values, goals, and fears.
- When the time comes, consider palliative care and animal hospice. When your pet has a terminal diagnosis or a progressive disease, palliative and hospice care seek to maximize your companion’s comfort and quality of life by relieving suffering. Only you and your vet know when the time is right to focus less on curative treatments and more on helping your beloved pet feel comfortable. Ask your vet to help set you up with hospice care or services.
Healthcare services, whether for humans, canines, or felines, are increasingly expensive. Understandably, many pet owners don’t want healthcare decisions driven by finances. Enter pet health insurance.
Like health insurance plans for humans, pet insurance defrays the costs of an illness or injury, usually by reimbursing a portion of vet expenses. However, as with human health insurance, restrictions and exclusions are common. Ask your veterinarian for advice and if he or she can recommend any plans. It’s a good idea to compare plans from a few providers. Here’s how to evaluate potential plans:
- Determine the coverage level that’s right for you and your pet. Generally, the more coverage provided, the higher the premium. Some pet owners like the security of a plan that covers catastrophic events—like a major surgery or cancer treatment—while paying higher out-of-pocket costs for routine care. Others prefer a higher premium for the assurance that most or all costs are covered. Some plans offer add-on options such as dental care. In some cases, if you have more than one pet, you may get a multiple pet discount.
- Review the policy carefully before you buy. Understand any preexisting or hereditary conditions that aren’t covered and other exclusions, such as preventive care or office visits. Some policies limit per incident or annual coverage, or have a lifetime max.
- Find out if you can retain the veterinarian of your choice. Just as with “human” plans, some pet plans require that you use their in-network providers.
- Ask about the claims process. Because most insurance plans require you to pay up front, you’ll want to understand the submission requirements and time frame for reimbursements.
If you’re considering pet insurance, it’s best to look for a plan while your furry friend is healthy—many policies include a waiting period before coverage begins.
