Pet Loss Counseling for Kids: Helping Dying Pets

Series Summary

All children love their family pet. Whether it is a dog, cat, or fish, children seem to immediately identify with their lovable animals. For many kids, the animal becomes part of the family. If they have known this animal all of their life, some may feel that little Jo-Jo is as much part of the family as a sister or brother. This is why a pet's death can be so hard on a kid. Many don't have the understanding to acknowledge death, and whether you are young or old, this concept in itself is a heavy burden to come to terms with. If you have recently loss your family pet, you may be wondering how to explain the situation to your children. You may also notice that your child is having trouble coping with the death. However, with some help and advice, you can help your kid cope with pet loss, and you can teach them important lessons in the process.

In this free video series, learn how to help your kid deal with pet loss. Our expert, Denise Urban, is a clinical and grief therapist. She offers all kinds of advice for dealing with pet loss. Learn the benefits of cremation and burial for pets. Also, get tips for identifying children's emotions. Denise shows you how to give emotional support and how to spot regression. Learn great children's books that deal with death. It's up to you to help your kid's emotions. So, learn how to cope with pet loss today.

Video Transcript

"Sometimes, a pet's death is very sudden and you don't have the opportunity to be able to spend that extra loving, caring time with them. But, in the situations when you do know in advance that your pet, perhaps, has a terminal illness; then one of the ways that it's important for children to be involved is that end-of-life care. Depending on the children's age, it may involve medication administration, it could be as simple as putting a blanket on the pet, grooming the pet; just giving them extra love and attention. I think this is very important for children to be involved in this and get a chance to say their goodbyes. It's also important, too, that they receive accurate information with the correct terminology. It is important that you don't use words such as "Oh, Buffy went to sleep", or "Buffy ran away", because this is confusing to children; they tend to think in a very concrete way, and they may be afraid then themselves to go to go to sleep at night thinking that they are not going to wake up. So it's important to use the words that your pet is dying, and that your pet will eventually be deceased and to use the correct terminology. Sometimes it can be helpful also to involve a veterinarian in explaining some of the medical conditions to the children in a language that the children can understand. I think that this is a very, very important time, and even though it's difficult and I've been through it with a few dogs; watching them become ill and becoming weaker, it's a very painful thing to experience but also gives you and your children an opportunity to them your undivided love and attention and that's a very important time."