If you’ve made the decision to use pet euthanasia to help end your family companion’s suffering, you may be wondering how to break the news to your children. Whether younger or nearing their teenage years, the passing of a beloved pet can be a difficult topic if not handled carefully. Consider the following ways you can talk to your children about their grief and how you can help them cope.

How to Share the News

When talking to your child about your pet’s death, be honest and discuss it openly. While it may be tempting to say your pet went on a special trip and won’t be coming back, this can cause additional trauma to the child about why and where.

Depending on your child’s age, you may want to remove or include certain details, such as a terminal condition that couldn’t be prevented. The key to breaking the news to children is to stress that the veterinarian did everything they could, but pet euthanasia was the most humane way to stop any pain your animal may have been experiencing. Avoid saying the term “put to sleep” around young children, as they can interpret things very literally, leading to fears at bedtime.

How to Help Your Child Cope

After the loss of a pet, your child may experience a range of emotions, from sadness to anger. Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and don’t hold back your own—it’s good for them to see that although you’re also upset, you’ll be all right. Remind them that it’s perfectly normal to feel sad or even mad, then figure out ways you can help each other feel better. Whether it’s reminiscing about a funny memory with your pet or simply watching a movie to take your mind off the pet euthanasia, provide support for your children during this time. After a little healing, your family will be able to celebrate all the joy and warmth your pet brought into your lives every single day, and the memories will be precious to you and your children.

Seeing a family animal in chronic pain can be difficult as a pet owner, which is why Sweet Dreams In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Woodstock, GA, offers several services to assist you during this time. From pet euthanasia options to determining the proper burial of your companion, the compassionate staff will be with you every step of the way to give your animal the memorial they deserve. To learn more about how they can help in this difficult time, visit them online or call (770) 880-1596.