Helping Children Deal With The Death Of A Pet

One of the most difficult situations your young children will encounter in their lives is dealing with the death of a pet. The reason this particular event is so emotionally devastating for a child is that it is usually their first encounter with death and mortality, which can be difficult for them to understand. Parents usually experience a lot of anxiety as to how to explain a complicated matter like death to a young child as well as trying to figure out how to ease the child’s pain. There are a few tips and things to keep in mind that can make easing your child’s pain a little bit easier.

If your child is expressing their grief through emotions of sadness, one of the best things you can do to cheer them up is to remember the fun times that the child and pet had together. Instead of focusing on the loss, try and focus on the great life and memories your child and their favorite pet shared together. This will bring smiles to their faces and stop the flow of tears for a time. You want to make sure that you take some time to explain what exactly happened and make yourself available to your child any time they need to talk.

Some children who lose a beloved pet begin throwing temper tantrums or acting out in anger through disobedience. It might be easy to just snap at your child or to discipline them, but keep in mind this might be part of their grieving process. Take some time to sit your child down and ask them why they are so angry and if there is anything you can do to help. Help your child understand that they can share anything with you, including how they feel.

Another way you can help ease the child’s pain is through a sympathy gift. There are a number of different types of gifts you can get your child. The point of a sympathy gift is to commemorate the pet that has died and to offer some encouraging thoughts that will bring comfort to the child grieving. It is highly recommended that you get the pet’s picture placed on the gift along with a good quote or poem. After a few months’ time has passed, you might consider getting a new pet. Be sure to sit down and discuss this option with your child to see if they are ready to open their heart again to a new family friend.

By: Renee Wood, MSW

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Renee Wood founded The Comfort Company in 2000. She is a social worker that has helped families deal with the loss or pending loss of a child, as well as aiding patients in the end-stage of renal failure. The gifts provided by The Comfort Company offer memorial ideas as well as hope for healing hearts.