How to Comfort a Child Who Lost a Pet

Posted by outdoorschoolfurniture on March 18th, 2020

Domesticated animals, like dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, parrots, iguanas, and ferrets, are usually affectionate and intelligent. They seem to be fond of people, too, especially children. For many kids, they're like companions, friends, and family members that they can grow up with.

But, one thing is true about all these critters - they don't live as long as humans do. And, most of the time, it's hard for kids to accept that their pets are leaving and never coming back. If your child recently lost their precious animal companion, here are some ways you can comfort them:

Stick to the Truth

Avoid glossing the truth. Saying "Our dog left us for another owner" or "Our cat got hurt, so we're sending them to the vet" won't change the fact that your child misses their buddy. Telling a fabricated story will actually do more harm than good. In a worst-case scenario, your kid can feel really upset and think that pets tend to run away after some time. When this happens, they might never make friends with animals again.

The right course of action is to tell your child the truth that their beloved furry companion has passed away. Then, take this opportunity to let them understand that death is an inevitable part of life. You can also explain that most animals have shorter life spans than humans, so it's not unusual for pets to die before their owners.

Your child may ask what happens after death, so be prepared when they throw this question at you. It's fine to impart an explanation based on your beliefs. But, it's also all right to give them an honest answer: that you don't know, and it's a mystery that even adults can't understand.

Help Them Cope

Let them feel the surge of emotions. These sentiments are natural, and they should be released as soon as possible. Allow your child to cry, but offer them a hug while they do so. This is one way to help them get better.

Assist them as they move on by remembering the happy times they spent with their pets. You can visit old photo albums and show them pictures of the joyful moments of their animal friend. If you have some video recordings, it's fine to play them, too.

It's also a good idea to give them a memento. For example, you can build personalized memorial benches engraved with the name of the pet if you have enough space in your backyard. You can also present them with a necklace with a locket pendant where they can place a tiny photo of their old animal friend. These gifts, however big or small, can help ease the emptiness that your child is feeling.