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Are You Obsessed With Your Pet?
Experts talk with WebMD about the
line between devotion and obsession with your pet.
By Carol Bryant
WebMD Pet Health Feature
You've probably heard urban legends about the
elderly lady who has dozens of cats, the guy who
collects snakes and never leaves his house, or
someone who spends thousands on clothes for their
pet.
When
Kim Swank, 35, of Layton, Utah, spent $10,000 on
treatment for a cherished family member, it wasn’t
for her spouse, sibling, or parent -- it was for
Wilson, her beloved Pug. "People would approach my
husband and say, “I can’t believe you paid 10 grand
to keep a dog alive!” My husband’s reply was simply,
“Well, it’s cheaper than a divorce!” Swank tells
WebMD.
Some
people believe this sounds like an obsession that
could be unhealthy for the person and pet alike. But
many others say mind your own business, as long as
there's no harm or neglect happening. To them, going
to great lengths for their pet is completely
rational, caring behavior.
Where is the line between obsession and devotion?
Here's what experts told WebMD.
Quality of Life
Dedication and devotion are sometimes mistaken for a
preoccupation with pets. But "obsessed" may be an
overused word.
“Obsession is a little bit of a negative term. I
prefer passionate," pet safety expert Jill
Richardson, DVM, tells WebMD. "A passionate pet
owner is someone who is their pet's biggest
cheerleader," she says. "They make sure their pet is
healthy and happy. To them, their pet is part of the
family.”
But
if your health or the pet's quality of life suffers,
that's an unhealthy obsession.
“If
a person is obsessed, they may not realize that they
or the pet is suffering," Richardson says.
"Sometimes it takes a friend, relative, or vet to
point out the problem. One of the most common
situations is when a pet has a terminal condition
that is hopeless and the pet owners do not consider
euthanasia," Richardson says.
"My
professional opinion about being obsessed with
anything is whether or not one loses a sense of
balance and the child, animal, or object of
obsession takes over one's entire life,” La Jolla,
Calif. psychotherapist Cathy Conheim, LCSW, tells
WebMD.
If
you suspect you have an unhealthy obsession with
your pet, professional treatment is recommended.
When You're Called Obsessed
Christine Pellicano of New York, known in the pet
world as Aunt Christine, has been a cat sitter, dog
walker, pet artist, and photographer for more than
25 years.
“Some people have judged me by their own standards
and mistake my commitment and dedication to animal
welfare and my own pets as an obsession," Pellicano
tells WebMD. "Family members were extremely
judgmental and their attitudes resulted in a rift
between us that has never been repaired. Love me,
love my dogs and cats, and respect my feelings about
them.”
Ada
Nieves, a certified pet fashion designer and
registered gourmet treats baker in New York, agrees.
“When people call me obsessed with pets, to me that
is a compliment. It means I go above and beyond for
my dogs and that others are watching, hopefully
emulating my example,” Nieves tells WebMD. “It is
unhealthy to hear negative comments saying you have
an obsession with pets. My advice? Dump the person,
keep the dog, and have a happy life,” Nieves says
with a grin.
Still, Pellicano says she sees “a trend that’s
similar to what we see among some parents with their
children: people achieving their own sense of
achievement and stardom through their pets. There
are people who force their pets into uncomfortable
settings, environments, and situations even when the
pet is shutting down and not enjoying the
limelight.” These pets are placed in situations that
clearly make them uncomfortable, yet the owner
dismisses it.
Animal Hoarding
"I
don't personally know of anyone who has gone
overboard with their pet, excluding hoarding of
course,” Susan Sims tells WebMD. Sims is the
publisher of FIDO Friendly, a travel and lifestyle
magazine for dog owners.
Animal hoarding is a form of abuse where people
acquire an excessive number of pets and may not
believe nor recognize they are doing something
wrong. In the eyes of the hoarder, they are saving
animals.
But
animal hoarding is unsafe and unhealthy for the pets
and the people involved. Contact animal control
services if you suspect animal hoarding.
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WebMD. All rights reserved. |
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