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Do You Have Time as a Caregiver to Adopt a New Pet?

You love pets. Maybe it’s a cat or a dog that you’ve been thinking about getting again. It might have been a while, and since you’ve been a caregiver for an aging parent or other family member, you just didn’t have time. Now, though, heading home alone each night makes you wish there was some other life waiting for you there.

Waiting to welcome you home.

June is Adopt of Pet Month and this is a great time to talk about pets and caring for them, especially as you’re also caring for someone else.

Is it okay for a caregiver to have a pet?

Of course. Why not? What reason could there be for you or anyone, for that matter, to not have a pet?

However, there are a few things you would certainly need to think about, if you were to adopt a new pet in the coming weeks, or months, especially while still acting as a caregiver for someone in need.

Will you have time for this animal?

Remember, you’re not the only one who can feel lonely and isolated as a caregiver. Pets do, too. Sadly, too many working professionals don’t get this critical point when adopting a pet.

While you’re supporting this aging senior or disabled adult in your life, how much time do you have to devote to your pet, too? If this animal will be spending the bulk of their day alone, without you, is that fair?

Now, dogs and cats are much different. Cats may seem indifferent, but they care about their human friends. If you would feel lonely being stuck in the house all day, every day without companionship, and you’re not going to be around much, perhaps it’s best to wait to adopt.

Is this a sign you’re burning out?

As a caregiver, you could very well burn out. It happens, even to the best of us, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep going, driving yourself to the breaking point.

Instead, use this feeling of loneliness as a good indicator it’s time to reconnect with your friends and other family members.

In order to do that as a family caregiver, though, you may need some help. Turn to a local home care agency that can provide short-term, part-time, or long-term support, which would give you the time you need to focus on relationships and connections.

Could this pet benefit the senior who depends on you?

It might very well be able to. Studies have repeatedly shown that pets can help lower blood pressure for the elderly. Just the companionship and simple act of stroking the animal’s fur can have an incredible, positive influence on not just your health, but the person who depends on you.

Before you go out and adopt a pet from a local shelter, though, make sure you will be able to properly care for it. If you can, then this could be a great way to find help during these difficult times.