Share:

Our hearts always go out to those who lose their pet. We at the Montgomery Animal Hospital care deeply about our clients and patients alike and try to make the end of life process as peaceful as possible for the entire family. Here are a few suggestions to parents who may be unsure as to what to do for their children when it's time to say goodbye.

If circumstances permit, you may wish to allow your children to say goodbye in an age-appropriate manner. That may be a last trip to a park, a special meal for the pet, or just a good snuggle session. If a pet is being euthanized, try to avoid using the phrase "put to sleep" to avoid confusion for young children, who then may become afraid at their own bedtimes. Some children need the directness of the word "die" or "death", others will understand "going to heaven" if culturally appropriate for your family. Emphasize the peacefulness of the process and the fact that your pet will not suffer any pain.

After your pet passes away, don't feel like you need to hide your adult sadness from your kids. Seeing their parent be sad validates the child's own grief and allows for them to feel safe expressing their own emotion. Encourage remembering happier times with the pet. Some families create memory boxes, photo albums, or plant something special in the garden to commemorate their pet. 

Remember, grief is a process for adults and children alike. For more information, including a reading suggestion for kids, check out Dr. Corey Gut's new post.

Photo copyright ChristinLola

tracking