Pet Parent Anxiety: Stop Googling, Worrying & Second-Guessing Yourself

Ever Googled a symptom your pet was having and ended up convinced something terrible was wrong? Or made a decision about their care, only to spend days wondering if you made the right choice? Pet parent anxiety can disguise itself as being responsible. You want to do what's best for your pet, but when does caring turn into excessive worrying, endless research, and second-guessing every decision? In this episode of The Pet Parent Hotline, Amy talks with psychologist Dr. Alicia del Prado about why pet parents get caught in anxiety spirals, how our own stress can affect our pets, and practical ways to make decisions with more confidence, even when there's no perfect answer. You'll learn: How to recognize when normal concern about your pet is becoming unhealthy anxiety. Why Googling symptoms and seeking endless opinions can make you feel worse, not better. How your anxiety may influence your pet's behavior and your ability to interpret what they're telling you. Simple techniques to interrupt a worry spiral before it takes over. How to stop second-guessing pet care decisions by setting reasonable timelines for reassessment. Why a bad outcome doesn't necessarily mean you made a bad decision, and how to practice self-compassion while still learning from mistakes. From everyday decisions about food and veterinary care to heartbreaking end-of-life choices, this conversation offers a more balanced way to care deeply about your pets without letting worry take over your life. About our guest Dr. Alicia del Prado is a psychologist with 25 years of clinical experience and the founder of del Prado Counseling & Consulting in California. She specializes in anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges, helping people navigate difficult decisions and develop healthier ways of coping with stress. Learn more about Dr. del Prado and her practice at drdelprado.com. Know a pet parent who worries about everything? Share this episode with them. It might be exactly what they need to hear. Stuck on a pet problem? Send it here. Practical pet advice for busy pet parents. Love the show? Follow The Pet Parent Hotline so you don’t miss an episode, and share this one with a pet parent who needs it. Listen & Follow: 🌍Official Site |📱Facebook |📺YouTube | 🍏 Apple |🎵Spotify The Pet Parent Hotline covers real-world dog and cat behavior, training, pet health and nutrition, veterinary decisions, pet-care costs, aging pets, and everyday life with animals. No fluff. No guilt. Just useful advice to help you make smarter decisions and enjoy life with your pets. Help us reach more pet parents like you: A 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts helps new listeners feel confident trying us out. Contact: [email protected] ©Ⓟ 2026 Amy Castro