The hidden cost of caring: Psychological burden among caregivers of dogs with cognitive dysfunction, cancer, and age-related decline.

Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a neurodegenerative disorder like Alzheimer's disease in humans, but its impact on caregivers is poorly understood. This study examines the multidimensional burden of caregivers of ageing dogs, comparing caregivers of healthy ageing dogs (HAD), dogs with chronic oncological disease (COD) and dogs with CCD. In a cross-sectional survey of 516 Slovenian dog owners, seven areas of stress were investigated: time burden, work- life interference, emotional burden, social stigmatization, financial burden, perceived adequacy of care and veterinary support. Time burden was increased by unpredictable CCD symptoms (e.g. nocturnal restlessness, disorientation), especially in households with children or multiple pets (p = 0.005). Emotional distress was significantly increased in CCD caregivers due to feelings of stigmatization (p = 0.005), while COD caregivers reported no significant increase compared to HAD. Caregivers of dogs with CCD reported significantly greater stigmatization (p < 0.001) and financial burden (p < 0.001). While all groups reported similar perceived inadequacies in care, CCD caregivers expressed significantly lower confidence in performing positive care tasks (p = 0.041). Relationships with veterinarians did not differ between groups, although regression analysis identified age, education and number of pets as predictors of the dynamics between caregivers and veterinarians. This study shows that caring for dogs with CCD is significantly more stressful than caring for healthy older dogs and, in several areas, caring for dogs with chronic oncologic diseases. The results emphasize that caring for dogs with CCD is a complex, underestimated burden that is comparable to caring for dementia patients in humans and requires targeted interventions.