Interview with Psychologist Borja Infantes Ramis: Understanding Your Feelings to Care Better for Your Pet

Today, we are truly happy to welcome Borja Infantes. Borja is a respected Spanish psychologist from Palma de Mallorca, Spain. This is what Borja has shared with us today — an invitation to get to know him a little better.

 

Hello! My name is Borja Infantes Ramis. From a very young age, two things have always been important to me: listening to and helping people, and sharing my life with animals.

I live out the first of these through my work as a psychologist, supporting people throughout their personal processes and offering them a safe space in which they can express themselves, reflect, and grow.

As for animals, I have been fortunate enough to experience their love since the day I was born. When I arrived home as a newborn, I was already welcomed by a cat who lived for almost twenty years. During that time, I also shared my life with a dog and a bitch, both German Shepherds.

At present, I live with two cats and two dogs, as well as the animals my partner has had and continues to have. My life has always been deeply connected to animals, and I am certain that it always will be.

Coming Soon

Borja, will soon be launching his own website. There, you’ll be able to find more information about his work, access further support, and get in touch with him directly. Click here to be the first to visit when it goes live

1. What do people usually feel when their dog or cat is diagnosed with a health problem?

Psychologist:
When a health problem is diagnosed in your dog or cat, it is common to initially feel shock or disbelief.

Over time, after that emotional impact, feelings of sadness and a sense of responsibility often appear, as owners are faced with having to make medical decisions.

Feelings of guilt are also common, with questions such as “Why didn’t I notice it earlier?” or “What if I had taken them to the vet sooner?”

At the same time as all these emotions are being experienced, the bond with the pet can intensify, as we tend to spend more time with them and become more aware of every stroke, walk, and shared moment.

2. Why can receiving a diagnosis be considered something positive?

Psychologist:
When we do not have a clear diagnosis, our mind tries to fill in the gaps in information, which often generates anxiety, frustration, and emotional distress.

Receiving a diagnosis (whether favourable or unfavourable) can therefore be considered something positive, as it provides clarity about the situation, allows decisions to be made with a clear goal in mind, and helps reduce negative symptoms.

3. How does pet parents stress affect a dog or cat with a chronic illness?

Psychologist:
Stress can significantly affect a dog or cat with a chronic illness. Animals are highly sensitive to their owners’ emotions.

A stressed owner may transmit tension to the pet, which can increase anxiety, affect appetite, or even worsen certain symptoms.

In addition, stress can influence the quality of care and the consistency of daily routines, which are extremely important for the animal’s stability.

For this reason, looking after the owner’s emotional wellbeing is also key to the pet’s health.

4. What change in mindset helps most to reduce anxiety and start taking action?

Psychologist:
The mindset shift that helps reduce anxiety and allows us to start acting in our pet’s best interest comes from becoming aware that the diagnosis itself cannot be changed.

A diagnosis gives us valuable information. When we focus on the present, avoiding getting trapped in thoughts about the past or the future, the pet parent can focus on what they can do: understanding the diagnosis, following appropriate treatments, and providing the care that is within their control.

This is when they can begin to take action to improve the wellbeing of their dog and/or cat.

5. Many people feel overwhelmed by so much information. What do you recommend, and how can shops like Indar Pet help?

Psychologist:
Feeling overwhelmed is very common because, after a diagnosis, we receive a large amount of medical information, recommendations, external opinions, and even online content that may not be relevant or up to date for our specific case.

My recommendation is to simplify and prioritise, as not all information is equally important or equally urgent.

This is where Indar Pet can help: based on their experience and research, they have been able to simplify information from many different sources and offer a comprehensive place where owners can find reliable information, support, and products of the highest possible quality.

6. Why is it important to have a clear routine after the diagnosis?

Psychologist:
Having a clear routine after a diagnosis is essential, as a daily structure helps reduce not only our own stress and anxiety, but also our pet’s.

Keeping regular schedules for medication, feeding, and other care routines helps make treatment more effective.

In addition, having a routine makes it easier to detect clinical changes more quickly, as any variation in the animal’s condition is noticed sooner when there is a clear, established routine.

7. What would you say to someone who feels they are “not doing enough”?

Psychologist:
It is not easy to change this negative thought, which often comes from placing unrealistic demands on ourselves in these situations.

This feeling can lead a person to believe they are doing less than they actually are.

However, pet parents need to focus on the resources they have available and acknowledge what they are doing.

In most cases, they are doing the very best they can within their control to help their pet.

Sometimes it is not about doing more, but about recognising and valuing what we are already doing for them. Even if it feels insufficient, small steps are still progress towards their wellbeing.

8. What final advice or techniques would you give to go through this process more calmly?

Psychologist:
One key factor in approaching this process with greater calm is finding a balance with information.

Speaking with the vet, asking questions, and understanding the prognosis helps create a greater sense of control.

It is also important to avoid overexposure to online cases, as this can generate unnecessary distress—every situation is different.

Shifting our mental focus to day-to-day life is also helpful. As long as our pet experiences moments of wellbeing, we should enjoy time together, daily routines, and walks.

Creating mindful moments with them is very beneficial: more affection, more quality time together, and strengthening the bond in the present.

From an emotional perspective, it is essential that the owner also looks after themselves. Talking to people who understand and expressing fear or concern, rather than keeping it inside, is crucial.

 

In summary, my advice is to support them with love, stay informed without becoming overwhelmed, and focus on living in the present.