Should you ever let your child go with you to the vet if your dog has to be euthanized?

Question

After a long and full life, a beloved family dog has to be taken to the vet to be put to sleep. My young child loves and will miss our dog. At what age/maturity level is it recommended (if ever at all) that a child can go with the dog to the vet to say goodbye before the dog is euthanized?

Answer 1

They gotta learn to handle death at some point, maybe a pet would be a softer blow than a relative so I'd say keep them informed...

Answer 2

That's a tough call. You might want to consult a child psychiatrist or check out some books on children and grieving. One thing I do know - don't make up b.s. lies about how the dog went to live on a farm. It can make the child feel abandoned by his beloved pet. And if you're caught in a lie, you'll lose the child's trust.

I'd say before the child is about fourteen, it might be too traumatic to witness the euthanasia. You could have it done while the child is gone but keep the pet's body there at home for the child to grieve over for a short while. Then have a ceremony suitable for your family's beliefs and bury the pet in your yard or a pet cemetery with a headstone or marker.

Answer 3

It depends on the child. If you can determine whether or not the child understands the permanency and irreversability of death, then it might be a healthy thing for the child to experience, as long as it is done with great care and caution; it could be a good farewell ceremony and an opportunity for the child to learn how to cope with loss in a very healthy way.

If the child does not understand the natural consequences of death, you might be better off waiting to let your child attend such an event. Instead, you could hold a family funeral in your back yard, for example, and then explain what really happened later when your child is older and mature enough to understand.

Answer 4

It depends on the child. Every child is different, and only the parent knows the age at which a child can handle different things and make different decisions.

What do you plan to tell your child? Are you going to say that the dog went to dog heaven, or are you going to explain that the dog is in pain and you are doing the humane thing?

Answer 5

When we had to put our dog down 2 years ago, my son went with me and we said a prayer with the dog and said goodbye. He knew what was happening and handled it normally, sad as anyone would. Make sure you handle it in a decent manner explaining what is happening and why, and there should be no problem. You're both going through the loss you know. I'm sorry for your loss.

Answer 6

no, it is not necessary for the little person to see the dog die, just explain it to the child say that the dog is going to the vet and it will get some medicine and go to sleep, but it is special medicine just for dogs and cats and tell them after the dog goes to sleep it won't wake up. You don't want to freak the kid out about sleeping medicine if the kid has to have an operation

Answer 7

ask them if they want to go and be with the dog when you do the right thing for him/her. The dog is part of the family. Or let them say there byes at home Let them know that the dog is going to a place where there is no pain and he Wall play all day with other dogs and kids.
Thank you for doing the right thing for your pet. Dint you wish we could do it for are two lags loves one?

Answer 8

That happened to me and i went to the vet with my mom so I could say goodbye to my loved pet. I was very sad but it helped me deal with other situations that happened later in my life...

Answer 9

I dont think it is a good idea to take your child with you. Goodbyes can be said at home before goin to the vet.

Answer 10

Which would you rather remember, a lifetime of loveing memories of a beloved pet unblemished, or remembering the ending of a beloved pet?