As caring for a sick loved one or friend can increase feelings of depression and stress in a caregiver, so too can those feelings increase when caring for a family pet, according to research from Kent State University.

The study, which is published in the Veterinary Record concludes that because pets become members of the family, it should come as no surprise that when they become ill and need care that similar symptoms associated with human caregiving should extend to those caring for pets. Called “caregivers’ burden,” symptoms that may characterize the toll on those caring for a sick person or pet can include depression, anxiety and stress.

The researchers surveyed 119 pet owners with healthy pets and 119 pet owners with pets diagnosed with chronic or terminal diseases. Unsurprisingly, pet owners caring for sick pets scored higher on psychological assessments concerning questions about stress, depression and anxiety than their counterparts with healthy pets.

Researchers believe that these symptoms can extend beyond the caregiver to those working in the veterinary medicine field as well.