Archive article, written 2009–2016. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian. About our articles
| When a Child's Pet Dies |
| You can help your
child cope with the death of a beloved pet by following some simple
guidelines: When a companion pet is seriously ill or aging, begin to prepare your child. Talk about "the day lovely pet won't be around anymore." Talk about how to say goodbye. Explain that pets don't live as long as human beings. Compare the expected life expectancies of dogs, cats, and pets such as hamsters. If you decide on euthanasia: Explain that the veterinarian is going to help your pet die gently so it won't have to feel any more pain. Don't say you're putting the pet animal to sleep. Children take this literally, and may become confused, afraid of sleep, or wait for the |
| animal to return when
it "wakes up". Get some books from the library about losing a pet. By borrowing them instead of purchasing them, you can also point out that you have to return the book because your child is not alone - there are other children who have lost their pets too. Don't say the pet ran away from home. Again, your child may keep waiting for it to return. Help your child grieve. Allow them to cry, draw pictures, review snapshots of their pet, or have a memorial service. Don't rush their grieving by immediately buying a new animal. It can diminish the special relationship they had with their friend pet and encourage a pattern of avoiding sorrow by distracting themselves or buying things. |