How to Counsel Kids on Euthanizing Pets

The decision to lay your pet down is a hard one for adults. Think of what it can do to a child. Sometimes, due to illness or old age, it becomes necessary to euthanize your family pet. There are some things you can do to make that easier on your children. Take the time to counsel them and give them the time to work through the issue. Here are some ways you can counsel your child when you make the decision to euthanize your pet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stuffed Animals
• Doctor Masks
• Pretend Needle
• Gentleness
• Patience

1. The first step in euthanizing a pet is to have a family meeting and discuss the process with your child. They can not begin to process the death of their pet until they know why the pet must be put down and what exactly will happen. Let your children ask as many questions as they need to. Remind them that sometimes when a pet is in a lot of pain it isn't fair to keep the pet alive just because you will miss them.

2. Have your child participate in a demonstration. This will give the child a visual of what will be happening to their loving pet. It will also show them that the process is painless. If you are putting a dog to sleep then get out a stuffed dog to practice on. You can use a doctor mask to symbolize the doctor's part in the euthanization. Now show the child that a little needle is injected in to the pets leg and then the pet falls asleep. Ask the child if it hurts when they go to sleep at night. They will say No. Explain that that is what the dog would be feeling. There is just one difference and that is that the dog isn't going to wake up again.

3. You will want to briefly explain to your child the stages of grief. They are Denial, Bargaining, Anger, Sadness,and Resolution. It is not important that your child fully understand each of these stages, but let them know that these feelings are normal and it is okay if your child has them. Let them know they can come to you when they are feeling any of those feelings. Being able to get those feelings out will help your child recover faster and will insure that they are not scarred for life by this experience.

4. Take your child to a professional grief counselor if your child is taking the news rather hard. This does not mean you are not doing a good job as a parent. You are just utilizing the resources available to you to make sure that your child is getting all they need to grow up healthy in mind and body. Pet deaths can be traumatic on children.

5. Take your child to talk to another child who has lost a pet. There may be a support group in your town that you can contact to find someone for your daughter to relate to. Support groups are an excellent source to help your child and you get over the loss of your faithful friend.

Tips & Warnings

• It is only recommended that children above the age of 8 actually attend the euthanization.
• Give your child time to say goodbye to their pet.