From wet morning wake-up calls to nighttime snuggles, your pet plays a significant role in your child’s life. As a result, you might feel like there’s no way to prepare them for the death of their dear friend. However, learning to cope with the passing of a pet is possible, even for small children. From school pickups to pet memorials, use the following guide to make the grieving process easier on your child.

Toddlers to Elementary School-Aged Children

Even if your child is very young, you don’t want to skirt around the concept of death—this could lead them to think that your pet left because they didn’t want to be around the family anymore.

Instead, choose an uplifting image to illustrate their companion’s passing, such as the “Rainbow Bridge.” Mentioned in a poem by grief counselor Paul C. Dahm, it describes the rainbow as a passageway to a beautiful pet’s paradise. 

If you’ve discussed the concept of death with your children already, you might want to offer the comforting notion that they’ll be reunited with their pet in heaven one day.

Middle & High Schoolers

At this age, your child will still have a difficult time with your pet’s passing, but they’ll have the emotional intelligence to cope with it.

If your dog or cat has been diagnosed with an illness, so you have time to prepare for their passing, use the remaining days to spend quality time with your pet as a family. Keep a journal to jot down memories, like the adventures of outdoor walks or cute poses your pet makes. When picking your child up from school, take your pet in the car so they can spend the ride together.

As your child becomes a teenager, they may take on even more responsibilities, such as feeding, bathing, or walking your pet, which can make their passing even more significant.

If the death was unexpected, let them stay home from school for a day or two to process the shock.

Then suggest making a video or slideshow with pictures and videos of your pet that they may have taken on their smartphone. This will allow the family to remember all the beautiful moments you shared.

If your child wishes, offer to hold a pet memorial service. Your child may want to invite friends who knew their dog or cat, prepare a reading, or display their video to honor the life of their former companion.

 

If you’ve recently lost a beloved household pet, talk to your vet about cremation options. They can work with Oahu Pet Crematory to collect your pet’s ashes in a specialty urn, so your child’s best friend will always remain in your home. In addition to cremation, they offer information about grief support groups to help your family during this troubling time. To learn more about this pet memorial option, talk to your vet or visit the website.