Time to put my kitten to sleep?

Question

My kitten is very sick and I'm getting close to the decision of putting him to sleep. He has some sort of neurological problem and has a horrible time trying to walk. I feel like it is time. The question is my children are 7 & 8 and they know that he has a short time left with us. When it is time to put him down how should I handle it with them. Should the family go together when we euthanize him or should I take him alone and let the kids say goodbye at home?

Answer 1

Let the kids say goodbye at home. They are too young to witness a euthanasia. Have a ceremony and bury the kitten or his ashes and put up a marker - even if it's only an empty box that you bury.

Answer 2

It's an entirely personal decision, but my suggestion would be to let them go with you. A lot of times children don't understand exactly how animals are put to sleep. Some have very horrifying ideas of what happens. If your children are with you, they can see exactly what happens and usually the vet or vet tech will explain things if you ask them to. This way the kids will understand that their kitten isn't in pain when they're put down. They can say goodbye and help comfort her as she passes away. I know it's an emotional time, but this could be a valuable teaching experience for your and your children. If your family is religious I might suggest a little memorial at home, as I know that really helped my nephews (ages 7 and 5). Good luck to you. I know how hard it is to lose a pet, and you and your family will be in my thoughts.

Answer 3

Explain it to your children. Do not use the words PUT TO SLEEP- this can make them afraid to sleep later on. Kids can handle a lot more than we give them credit for. Some owners bring the kids with them and I will explain the procedure to them. I explain that we will give "Fluffy" an injection of a substance that will stop her heart. This happens quickly and is usually painless. Once her heart as stopped, she is no longer with us. There might still be some movement of her body left, but this is just her muscles relaxing. The kids tend to handle it better than the parents a lot of time and they really do understand what happens. One thing-- if they are going to be present, or you for that matter- request that an intravenous catheter be placed. This insures a quick and painless death as there is no chance of the solution not reaching the heart due to a blown vein or not being in the vein. To prepare even further, decide about disposal now. Do you want to take your kitten back home with, do you want her cremated with ashes back or no ashes. If you go ahead and plan now, it makes the actual time of euthanasia much "easier" on you because you already know what to do. It is never an easy decision- just be there for your kitten and kids.

Answer 4

First, I am sorry about your kitten. We had to put our 16 year old cat down last winter.

As for your kids, it depends how well you think they would handle being there. If you think it would be good for them to see how peaceful it is, then you could go as a family, or you could have someone come to your home to do it (some vets will do this).

Or, if you think the kids are too young to actually see the kitten be put to sleep, they could just hold him and tell him how much they love him. Make sure they have said all their good-byes, and then take him to the vet yourself.

We told our 5 year old that Snowball's body got old and tired and there was nothing the vet could do, so it was time for her spirit to go to heaven to be with God. She asked if Snowball would be able to sleep on God's bed like she slept on our bed, and I told her that God's bed is big enough for all the cats in heaven.

I know there is a place there for your kitten as well. Again, my thoughts are with you.

Answer 5

This is hard and you know how your children would react best. So that in the end is a personal decision you would have to make for your family.
However for me I would have a "party" for him at home. Give him some tuna and even let the kids make drawings for him. Let them say their good byes and cry and everything in the privacy of their own home. Holding him as long as they want. Let them be sad but also make it into a happy thing. If you believe in God remind them that he is going to kitty heaven and that they will see him again. If not you can just let them know that he will no longer be suffering.
Whether you have him cremated or bring him home to be buried they can send pictures they draw, cards they make, his favorite toys etc with to go with him. It might help them put some closure to it.
Home it is much more personal and intimate. And they do not have to worry about time. Or about people they do not know seeing them. Plus sometimes all the equipment at the vet is scary for children.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Take the kids with I'm sure they would want to spend his last moment with them. My dog choked to death. And even though I was sad I was glad that I could say goodbye when we buried her. I even made her a wooden cross. We carved her birth date on the left arm coming off the cross and her death date on the right side. We wrote her name down the middle. Maybe the kids would like to put something like that in the yard. Even if the cats not buried there. That way when they feel mad or sad they can go talk to the cat. Or just talk out their stress or sadness, or talk about why their mad. That's what I do.

Answer 7

the kids can say goodbye at home. the fact that this baby is suffering should be the main concern here, not the kids. they are old enough to know that you do not let animals suffer. Your vet can also tell you if he can be helped or should be put to sleep. think about the cat and do something NOW!

Answer 8

I think it is time to put him out of his misery. Although others may disagree, I would suggest letting the children come with you and go through the whole process as a family. This way, they will see how painless and peaceful putting him to sleep is and they will understand and be able to deal with the process a lot better. Otherwise, they may not be able to come to terms with the fact he really has gone, and they may be distressed at the thought of having him put down without really knowing what happens.

Answer 9

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitten. It's awful when they get so sick like that that they hurt and can't be comforted. I know this sounds trite, but I've seen it before first hand.

Let the kids say good-bye at home before you take the kitten to be put to sleep. If you decide to bury him at home, perhaps they can help you plant flowers or a tree on his grave.

Feel better.

Answer 10

we had a similar situation, our 'miss kitty' had to be put to sleep and my kids were very sad. we had a celebration at home with the kids and everyone said goodbye. we talked about this being the circle of life and how everything has a time and place. we talked about how the vet would 'put her to sleep' and how painless it was and i promised i would hold her as she passed, however, i took 'miss kitty' alone as i felt the actual sight of a dead body would be too much for them and i wanted their last memories of her to be happy ones.
on the anniversary of her death, the vet's office sent us a card with her paw prints on it saying she was happy in her new life and thanking us for always taking such good care of her. it was nice and allowed us time to reflect and to enjoy the new animals that were in our lives.


sometimes this journey has sorrow but remeber,
you can't see the rainbow until you go through the storm.
lily