Pet euthanasia - explaining it to help young children cope with the loss of a pet

If a pet is incurably ill and death is forthcoming, it is important that you tell the truth to the child at a level that they can understand.  Be sure to inform the child as soon as possible that their pet has died or may need pet euthanasia.  Explain the meaning of the word "dead" by saying that the pet's body does not work properly anymore as a result of old age, an illness or an accident.   Make clear that the pet has died or will need to be assisted in dying peacefully without pain, so that it will not be suffering  anymore.  It is good to explain that cat and dog euthanasia is necessary when a pet is suffering from old age because when an animal's body gets old, it gets tired, sore and doesn't work with energy and strength anymore.  Pet accidents can be explained by saying that the pet was involved in a terrible fall or car crash; that its body is badly broken and can't be mended, and as a result the body has stopped working properly, therefore to be kind, the pet should be euthanized.

Cat and dog euthanasia may be necessary and children should be helped to understand why. 

Several points to consider:

• Include children in the decision to euthanize the pet.  Insure that all children are informed before the pet is euthanized.  Children need to be involved in this decision because to understand is a human need.
• Children need to be able to say good-bye and to spend time with their pet before it is euthanized.
• Explain the veterinarian's diagnosis, the cost of treatment and care, the quality of life the animal will have even with treatment, the procedure involved in euthanizing the pet and the effect on the animal.  Ask questions of the veterinarian: Can we be present during the assisted death? How long does it take?  Will the animal suffer?  What happens to the remains after the pet is euthanized?
• Encourage the children's involvement in the euthanasia process.  Seeing that their pet had a peaceful death eliminates the mystery and fear of death because of pet loss and the child won't fantasize about what happens.
• Let the child see the pet after it has been euthanized to develop the reality of the death.
• If you plan to have a pet cremation, explain this to the child.  Tell them the pet will be taken to a place call a "crematorium" where the body will be turned into ashes.  Explain the options for disposal of the ashes: burial, scattering, or keeping them in an urn.  The pet cremation can lead to a pet memorial.
• Plan some kind of pet memorial ritual around the decision of what to do with the pet's remains after pet cremation to honor the pet's life.
• Encourage children to express their grief, through activities such as drawing or painting a picture of the pet, looking at photos of the pet and sharing memories, developing an album, writing a story or poem about the pet, reading books on pet loss, posting comments of various internet sites about the pet and what it meant to the child, or planting a tree in memory of the pet.  These can all be part of the pet memorial ritual and will help bring about the understanding that although the pet is dead, its memory will be with the child forever and this is what a parent wants to achieve when a pet dies.

To purchase pet urns, pet memorials, or to plant a tree in memory of your pet  visit our online pet shopping & products links below.  Other unique online pet shopping & products are available through all our links below.

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