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How can I Prepare my Child for the Death of a Pet?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

The death of a pet is never easy, regardless of the owner's age or life experience, but children often seem to take the death of a pet much harder than parents, since they don't have the benefit of perspective. Older owners can foresee the death of a pet even before the pet arrives home, but a child may expect a beloved pet to live forever. Preparing your child for the death of a pet requires a careful blending of reality, fantasy, truth and imagination.

First of all, if a child expresses an interest in a specific type of pet, a hamster for instance, then the parent needs to provide him or her with instructive literature on that animal. There may also be videos available which discuss animals at a child's level. It is important for parents to discuss all aspects of the proposed pet, from feeding to maintenance to lifespan. Small children need to understand that a live pet can easily become sick or die if owners fail to feed it or take it to the animal doctor. This early understanding of the limitations of a pet can motivate the child into providing better care.

Hamsters typically only live a few years, so parents will likely need to help a child through the pet's death when the time comes.
Hamsters typically only live a few years, so parents will likely need to help a child through the pet's death when the time comes.

After a pet has been introduced to the family for a period of time, children may become very emotionally attached. A pet can become a child's emotional confidant, providing a non-judgmental role separate from parents or siblings. This is what makes the death of a pet so difficult for many children. The death of a pet for some children is no different than the death of a human relative. It is important that parents and older siblings spend enough quality time with a child, so that he or she doesn't become too emotionally invested in a pet. This is not to suggest complete emotional detachment, but a child needs to feel that he or she can also find empathy with his or her human family.

A child may expect beloved pets to live for a long time.
A child may expect beloved pets to live for a long time.

The most difficult time to discuss the death of a pet with a child is when the pet is actually dying. Children may sense something is wrong with a pet, but they still seek out interaction. Some animals have a natural instinct to hide their true health conditions, so a child may be confused by the pet's seemingly healthy behavior.

This is a good time to explain the imminent death of a pet in oblique terms. Spend time remembering all the positive experiences your family had with the pet, and remind your child that the pet has lived a long and happy life. It may be okay to use euphemisms such as 'going to sleep' or 'playing in Pet Heaven' at this point. Smaller children don't need to hear every detail about the death of a pet, only enough to understand the need to let go.

Children often become very attached to pets.
Children often become very attached to pets.

One important step for a child grieving over the death of a pet is closure. If possible, allow the child to plan and deliver a funeral service for the pet. Take this closure ceremony seriously, and reward the child with a treat or special trip after the service.

The child may also want to take care of some of the maintenance chores, such as cleaning the cage or storing away pet accessories. On the other hand, this may also be too traumatic for the child, so you may want to take care of these chores yourself while the child is away. Avoid the temptation to heal the death of a pet with the immediate purchase of a new one. Children may initially want a quick fix, but they also need time to recover emotionally before taking on another pet.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Rundocuri

When my dog died last year, I went to the local pound and got the saddest-looking dog there. My new sweet dog has been the best way for me when it came to coping with the death of a pet. She is like a living memorial of my dog that died. Though you can never replace a beloved pet, getting another one that was homeless is a way for you to feel like you saved a life, and for you to feel like the pet you lost lives on.

Heavanet

Planning to have something that is a pet memorial of our dog helped our family heal from our loss. Our vet took an imprint of our dog's paw in clay. Whenever we look at it, we think of our beloved dog and all of the good times we had with her.

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    • Hamsters typically only live a few years, so parents will likely need to help a child through the pet's death when the time comes.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Hamsters typically only live a few years, so parents will likely need to help a child through the pet's death when the time comes.
    • A child may expect beloved pets to live for a long time.
      By: Natalia Pavlova
      A child may expect beloved pets to live for a long time.
    • Children often become very attached to pets.
      By: Сергей Чирков
      Children often become very attached to pets.