Published in Animals, this study addresses a pressing but underexplored welfare issue: caregiver burnout in dog owners managing pets with behavioral disorders. While human caregiving contexts have well-established assessment scales, no validated instrument previously existed to evaluate the mental, physical, and emotional strain experienced by owners caring for behaviorally challenging dogs.
The authors adapted the widely used Zarit Scale, traditionally employed to assess caregiver burden in human health contexts, modifying it for application to dog owners. Using the Delphi method for expert review and Cronbach’s alpha for internal reliability, the research team developed a 35-item questionnaire capturing diverse aspects of owners’ emotional and practical experiences.
The study sampled 156 participants through non-linear snowball sampling. Results revealed three distinct levels of caregiver burnout: Low Burnout (50%), Medium-Low Burnout (41%), and Medium-High Burnout (9%). These categories highlight that while many owners cope adequately, a substantial proportion experience moderate to significant overload.
The tool demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of α = 0.9468, indicating high reliability. This reliability supports the questionnaire’s use as a diagnostic and preventive resource.
The authors stress that caregiver exhaustion can strain or even break the human–dog bond, contributing to abandonment or euthanasia when owners feel overwhelmed by persistent behavioral challenges. By identifying early signs of burnout, the questionnaire offers clinicians, trainers, and support professionals a way to intervene before the relationship deteriorates.
Overall, the validated instrument provides a foundation for evidence-based support for owners and, indirectly, improves welfare outcomes for dogs with behavioral disorders by helping preserve stable, compassionate caregiving relationships.
Source: Barrios, C. L., Gornall, V., Bustos-López, C., Cirac, R., & Calvo, P. (2022). Creation and Validation of a Tool for Evaluating Caregiver Burnout Syndrome in Owners of Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) Diagnosed with Behavior Disorders. Animals. Published May 1, 2022.
