“Dog mom guilt” is a real thing, and anyone who’s experienced it can certainly attest to that. When it comes to your normal day-to-day life caring for your dog, there are bound to be things that you feel guilty about, like leaving them alone to go to work or taking them to the vet. What are other things that can spark dog mom guilt, and what are creative ways to work around it? We’re glad you asked! Read on to learn more.
What Is Dog Mom Guilt?
Dog mom guilt is exactly what it sounds like. It is the tremendous amount of guilt that pet parents feel when they do something that they feel impacts their pet negatively. These can be totally innocent things that are simply part of daily life, but they still make you feel crummy.
While every pet parent has their own set of reasons, here are the most common causes of dog mom guilt.
The 7 Things That Pet Parents Feel Guilty For
1. Leaving Your Dog Alone
In this economy, no one can miss any days from work, even to do something as cool as hanging out with their canine companion. But when you are leaving your little buddy alone for 8 hours to scurry off to work, especially if they have to stay in a crate, it’s enough to make anyone feel bad!
When many canines, even the most behaved, are left alone to their own devices, they can often get into mischief. Dog owners are often stuck between a rock and a hard place because they want to keep their things intact while they’re away but also give their dogs freedom.
2. Shutting Your Dog Out of a Room
Dogs love being with you no matter where you are. It seems like every time you walk into a room, they are toddling along behind you. So, when you could just use some space to yourself, you might feel extreme guilt when you shut them out of where you are.
Sometimes, we have projects that we need to get done, or we just need a minute to collect ourselves. While we really shouldn’t have guilt about this, it’s easy to feel bad. That’s especially true if they’re sitting outside pawing or whining at the door.
After all, we know that our dogs love nothing more than spending time with us and that they feel lost when we’re not around.
3. Not Playing When Prompted
Sometimes, we’re tuckered out after a long day, and we really don’t feel like playing a game of fetch. We come into our houses and plop on the couch, stretching out and ready for some relaxation.
The next minute, our dogs are coming up with their favorite toy. The truth is, though, we’re just too tired to engage. That is enough to make any dog mom feel guilty. But we have to remember to take time for ourselves also.
4. Skipping Walks
Our dogs look forward to walks. Not only do they get to go out and see all sorts of different critters and faces, but they also get to use their noses. Dogs use their sense of smell frequently to take in information about the world around them.
Walks are a great way to stimulate all their senses and really get their instincts on high alert. Some dogs prefer leisurely strolls, while others like high-intensity exercise. But one thing is for sure, when you miss out on a walk, your dog knows it.
5. Taking Solo Time Out
Maybe you want to get out of the house without your pup. They will look at you sad as you walk out the door, but you’re going to go, anyway, and probably have a pretty good time.
That doesn’t mean you don’t carry some element of guilt with you. After all, you know they’re sitting home bored and alone while you’re out having fun. But it is important that we have a good balance for our own mental health.
Even though your dog might miss you while you’re gone, you can make up for it later. There is no reason you shouldn’t take time out for activities you want to do by yourself.
6. Taking Your Pup to the Vet
Some dogs leap into the car with no care in the world that they’re going to the vet. They’ll hop right up on the exam table with their tail wagging. Other dogs are really scared of going to the vet.
As humans, we can probably empathize with this. Most people are scared of going to the doctor or dentist to some degree. It’s the same for our dogs. It’s an unknown environment where not-so-great things happen most of the time when visiting.
Even though vet care is absolutely necessary, it can make you feel crummy. After all, you’re going to get your dog stabbed with a pokey needle while you just sit and watch. It’s not the most fun time for a pet parent, that’s for sure.
7. Getting Dogs Fixed
Some people feel downright bad about getting their dogs fixed. This can happen for different reasons. For some people, it can be a bit frightening because you never know how an animal is going to react to anesthesia. Due to stories we hear on the internet and circulating word of mouth, we know all sorts of horror stories about animals that undergo surgical procedures. So, it’s normal to be nervous about getting your animal spayed or neutered, and you should talk to your vet about your concerns.
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You might have also heard a few people say that it’s not right to take away a male dog’s “manhood.” For whatever reason, this seems to be an ongoing argument. However, it’s much more beneficial to get your dog spayed or neutered than it is to leave them intact. Doing so can lead to a whirlwind of health issues related to the reproductive system.
Conclusion
Do you have any additional reasons that you feel guilty as a pet parent? This is such a unique situation, and everybody has different levels of guilt. Some people have no guilt at all. How lucky are they?
One thing is for sure, though, our pets impact us in all sorts of ways. When we feel like we’ve made them sad or let them down, it can really tug at our heartstrings. But don’t worry! Our pups don’t hold a grudge, at least not for very long, because they know that we love them.
Featured Image Credit: DanaTentis, Pixabay
What Is Dog Mom Guilt?
