I have a couple of foster kittens right now, and they make me tired. Not because I am exhausted watching their nonstop antics, but because of the work of caretaking. They require medications three times a day. Each kitten is on a different diet, which complicates feeding three meals a day. They are also the cutest slobs you have ever seen: kitty litter strewn everywhere, bowls of water upended and an occasional litter box miss.

What I am experiencing is caregiver burden. But because these are foster kittens and I am a stopgap caretaker, I don’t think of it as a burden. I think of it as a labor of love to help get these kittens into a fur-ever home.

For others, especially those whose beloved pet is sick, caregiver burden is very real. This blogpost will explain a bit about caregiver burden and suggest some practical solutions to make caring for a sick pet feel more manageable.

You Are Your Pet’s Everything

One reason caring for a sick pet is exhausting is that you become their everything.

Not only do you continue your role as their chef and playmate, but you also take on new responsibilities. Suddenly, you are the chauffeur to veterinary visits, the nurse administering medications and the laundress keeping their bedding clean and smelling nice.

Usually, your pet is a source of emotional support for you, but when they are sick, that relationship can shift. You pet may need more from you, while you may need to find support from someone else.

Streamlining Medication Administration

One of the biggest challenges of caring for a sick pet is medication administration. Twice a day for some, three times a day for others, and then there are the every-other-day ones. Keeping all of this straight can be mind-boggling.

To ensure success, you need a system.

For my kittens, I use a handwritten chart with open boxes that I “X” off when each medication has been given. More tech-savvy owners may prefer using their phone or a medication reminder app. The folks at GoodRx have reviewed several medication reminder apps.

And don’t forget the old-fashioned pill box with a compartment for each day, the kind your grandmother may have used. It works just fine for your pet, too.

AMC also has a series of “How To” videos to help pet owners give medications more effectively.

Find Pet Caregiver Support

Look for ways to give yourself a break.

If answering emails and texts from friends and family concerned about your sick pet feels like too much, consider using a website like CaringBridge.org. This website allows you to post updates in one place and invite friends and family to view them. Only those you invite can see the information.

If friends offer to help, take them up on it. Let someone drive you to the vet, sit with your sick pet for a few hours or help with errands.  Even a short break can make a difference when you are carrying the daily responsibilities of pet caregiving.

You may also want to look for a veterinary home healthcare service. Sharing some of the caregiving responsibilities can give you a much-needed chance to rest.

Learn How to Be Your Pet’s Best Nurse

If you are struggling with being your pet’s nurse, consider watching “How to be Your Pet’s Best Nurse” from AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education. I hope the tips in the video will help decrease your caregiver burden.

AMC also offers a free virtual Pet Caregiver Support Group for pet parents who have pets with chronic or life-limiting conditions. The group is a safe space to find community with others going through similar experiences and to learn strategies for managing stress, anticipatory grief and isolation. The group meets on a Tuesday once a month at 6:30PM EST. The group is open to the public, but space is limited, and AMC clients are given priority admission.