Losing a pet can be just as painful as losing any family member, so much so that it affects your mental health.
Research published in the journal Veterinary Record has shown that poor pet health increases owner stress and anxiety and leads to depression.
The study included 119 people whose pets had health problems and 119 whose pets were completely healthy. The researchers then asked their subjects questions that determined their level of stress, anxiety and depression.
Those with sick animals had worse results than those whose pets had no health problems.
It also affected the quality of life of the respondents - owners of sick animals pointed out that they were less satisfied at work and in relationships, adding that their mood and health were worse.
Researchers have called this phenomenon "caregiver burden." Those who take care of the sick, whether it's people or animals, are under more stress and tension.
Professor from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in New York, Catherine Goldberg, commenting on the research results, pointed out that veterinarians must take care of the needs of pet owners as well as themselves, writes "Huffington Post".
Although the results did not give a precise answer to the question of how bad a pet's health condition can affect the psychological state of the owner, scientists are not at all surprised by the existence of an influence, reports B92.
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