We just put our cat to sleep and he was dear to us, how can i break it to my neice and nephew of a young age?

Answer 1

First of all, I am sorry for your loss. Our cats are such a special part of our family and life.

You can explain to your niece and nephew that death is part of living, and all things will die someday. Answer all their questions honestly and with age-appropriate explanations. Personally, I do believe our animals are in heaven and we will see them again. If you share a similar belief, you can share that with them at this time. Sylvia Browne has a book on this subject. Best wishes.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear of your loss. Although I have lost cats that are dear to me as well, I have not had to break the news to young children.

I suppose explaining to them the troubles the cat was having... asking if they remember seeing the symptoms of the ailment and explaining how the cat was in misery would be a good starting point.

Answer 3

Last month I had to put my sons cat to sleep. He is only three and I came out and told him the doctors couldn't help her and that she had gone to kitty heaven with his grandma where she could take care of the cat. He didn't really understand but he also started telling people she had died. I also found this great web site petloss.com it has a beautiful poem called the Rainbow Bridge. It talks about where animals go and how they wait there for us. there's also a support group chat for the you and anyone who can understand it. I'm so sorry for your loss. i hope this helps.

Answer 4

I wouldn't tell them that you had to put it to sleep because it was suffering. For one thing, they won't understand that it's a permanent kind of sleep. Also, since they don't know what "suffering" means, you would have to use terms that they do understand like "feeling bad" - which would also be a bad thing because they may think that's what happens to people when they "feel bad."

So, I would just tell them that the cat died and went to kitty Heaven and it's happy now because it gets to play with other kitties and eat lots of tuna. If you don't believe in Heaven, pretend. If we can tell kids that there's a Santa Claus, we can tell them that there's a kitty Heaven.

If they're so young that they don't even understand that death is a forever kind of thing, tell them the kitty went to go live with its kitty family.

I personally believe that when it comes to explaining matters of death to young kids, it should be left up to the parents to explain. Unless you're their guardian, you might want to ask their parents to tell them or ask them how they think you should tell them.

Answer 5

There is a site called "Rainbow Bridge" with a lovely story there you could read and then tell to children.

I don't believe in an afterlife that is "physical" personally and if there is one the rainbow bridge is a lovely concept. I WANT to believe that my dear Spookie will again come running across my yard to me so that I might hold him in my arms again.

Thank you hoodoo cat for posting the story and the name of the website.

Answer 6

How young is young?

For a three or four year old, chances are, they won't remember the cat if you don't tell them about it.

For five to eight years, wait for them to breach the subject, and then let them know that the cat was very sick and very very old, and you wanted to ease his suffering and allow him to go to kitty heaven.

A child over the age of nine should be mature enough to handle the truth given gently, but factually.

Answer 7

Tell them the story of the Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
******************************************************

There is also a pet memorial place for you to go to:

www.rainbowbridge.com

Answer 8

Explain Fluffy went to heaven, where he can't feel pain, and has all the catnip he could ever want. Say you feel sad, and it's ok for them to miss him and feel sad too, but remind them they'll see him again someday. One way they can say goodbye is to write a message and put it in a helium balloon and let them let it go.

Answer 9

Be honest with them .Tell them the cat went to Cat Heaven.

Answer 10

the honest truth is always best, people need to get over this whole thing about kids and taboos, it may make the kids sad and make them cry but ignorance is no better, they'll have to find out about death one day and don't make it all complicated by saying he's gone bye-bye, of course that doesn't mean i wan't you to say "he's dead get over it, it will happen to you and every one you care about too someday..." but you get the idea.