Caring for your pet can be a source of inequality, tension or even outright mental breakdown, in the same way as caring for children or managing household chores. According to a recent survey, it affects women more.
In many homes, the daily stress of managing a household and family rests on the shoulders of the women. They are mostly responsible for picking up the children from school while at the same time thinking about shopping and buying food for the dog or cat.
Just this domestic burden rests primarily on women, having pets can also be an element of mental stress that weighs the heaviest on them.
According to the Ifop survey of 963 people in France who have a pet at home, conducted on behalf of the VetoCanis company, the job of buying food, changing the litter box, taking the dog out, filling the bowls, planning appointments with the veterinarian, and organising care for the pets during the holidays, falls to women.
These daily tasks are performed by 81% of the women surveyed, compared to 64% of men.
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The mental pressure related to the presence of a four-legged companion at home can even become a source of tension within the couple: 31 percent of respondents admit to arguing about it.
For some of them, this dispute can even lead to a breakup: 15 percent of the women surveyed explained that they broke up with their spouse because the latter refused to take care of their pet. 9 percent of the men stated this same reason for separation.
