Pet Parent Guilt Is The Real Deal

March 1, 2022

Photo credit: Brooke Cagle 

 

The bond that develops between pet owners and their animals is something truly special. We want the best for our pets and when we can’t spend enough time with them, we are consumed with guilt. 

 

If you thought you were alone in this feeling or that you were imagining those guilty emotions, think again. According to a new survey by Vetster, pet parent guilt affects more than half of pet owners. 

 

We all know people who think we’re crazy for interpreting our pet’s behaviour in human terms, but now we have proof. Vetster surveyed 2,000 pet parents and found that we experience and deal with pet guilt in remarkably similar ways.

 

Vetster is an international brand connecting pet owners with online vets for telehealth consultations and finding the best vet services in your area. Of the 2,000 pet parents that were surveyed, 56% experienced guilt for not spending enough time with their cats and dogs and feeling responsible for their pets when they are under the weather or not their usual happy-go-lucky selves. 

 

Here are some of the survey results:

 

  • 8 out of 10 pet owners feel guilty when they lie to their pet.
  • 43% of pet parents said they will lie to their pets when they have to shorten their walks or are too tired to play with them.  
  • 37% of pet parents lie about how much food is really left.

 

Pet parents will overcome their guilty feelings by giving their pets more attention:

 

  • 40% will take extra long walks
  • 57% will give their pets more treats
  • 48% will give their pets extra attention and belly rubs

 

Is pet parent guilt real? Most certainly, according to Dr. Sarah Machell, Vetster’s VP of Medical Ops and Medical Director:

 

“I see guilt in many forms in my practice. I think it all stems from the desire to give pets their best life possible. They love our attention and want to be with us as much as we want to be with them.”

 

What did the survey reveal about the cause of our guilty feelings?

 

  • 59% feel guilty not spending enough time with our pets
  • 58% feel guilty for spending too much or not enough money on them
  • 58% feel guilty when their pets get sick or hurt
  • 54% feel guilty for not being able to take their pets on a walk due to bad weather
  • 53% feel guilty for not allowing their pets on the couch or bed
  • 43% feel guilty when they accidentally step on their pets
  • 24% feel guilty for not giving into their pets’ begging
  • 82% of pet owners believe their pet knows how to get the most out of the relationship by giving them puppy dog eyes, sulking or not greeting them at the door

 

Dr. Machell says the trick is to set healthy boundaries around training and routine and to reframe your feelings around love and care. She says: 

 

“Be mindful of overloading treats and relaxing on your training to compensate. It’s beneficial to your animals to keep the rules in place so they aren’t confused about how you’d like them to behave."

 

So when you’re feeling guilty for not spending enough time with your pet, remember that, according to the survey, the average pet owner spends 4 to 6 hours lavishing attention on their beloved animals.