What to do with a child and her dead cat?

Question

My 7 year old daughter just lost her pet cat Amy. Now a couple of months ago we moved to a new state and bought a house in the city where we used to live in the country. My daughter had to adjust to a new school, friends, extra activities like cheerleading, dance, etc. but her pet Amy has always been there to get her up and wait for her on when she went to school and when she came home. But this evening before we left for Jazz class my daughter came running in saying that something was wrong with Amy I went out on our porch and yes the cat did die but of what I don't know so how do I console her.She is very upset over this latest loss

Answer 1

Read the Rainbow Bridge Poem to her and help her understand...

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....

Answer 2

Don't lie to her. This includes using euphemisms, such as claiming the cat has "passed" or gone to the "rainbow bridge." Using such terms will only confuse your daughter. Her cat is dead. Death is a part of life. Don't be afraid to use the word.

Include your daughter in making arrangements for the cat's cremation or burial. Suggest that your family have a special ceremony to honor the cat. It needn't be formal or long.

Let your daughter know that you're available to talk. It will probably help to reminisce about the good times your family had with the cat. Your daughter might want to make a special photo album or scrapbook in the cat's honor.

I suggest getting a copy of Wallace Sife's "The Loss Of A Pet: A Guide To Coping With The Grieving Process When A Pet Dies." I bought the book after my cat Sara died last year. It even has a chapter on how to help children cope.

DO NOT bring a new cat home in hopes that it will cheer your daughter up. When the time is right, include your daughter in the adoption process. If you get a cat too early and thrust it upon your daughter, she may resent the new pet.

Answer 3

I'm so sorry. It's so hard to lose a good friend when you are grown up, never mind when you are 7 years old.

Still, learning about death is part of life - so your daughter is learning something about it through Amy's death. Let her grieve and have a little service for Amy. Tell her it's Ok to be sad right now, but someday she'll think about Amy and what a good friend she was and it will make her feel happy.

Don't press her to get another cat right away. Give her time. If and when she is ready, then consider it.

There is also a website that can help. Good luck to you and your daughter.

Answer 4

If it's not too late you can always have a vet run a cat autopsy on Amy and they can tell you how she died and you can if you feel comfortable explain what happened to your daughter..

Then unfortunately you'll have to let her greive, when I lost my cat part of the process to move on is to grieve..once you both feel that she's okay enough you may want to have a burial of such and a memorial where you can have pics of the both of them and remember the good times Amy shared with your family..

Hopefully over time you may be able to go to the nearest animal shelter and save another cat, I tried so hard not to go there because of the love I shared with my recently passed furbaby, but once I got there I felt so much better knowing I was saving a life and moving on with mine without the guilt and only good memories.

Best of luck to you and please tell your daughter not to beat herself up over this, sometimes people blame themselves when they lose a pet..

My condolenses for your loss and I do hope the both of you will feel better over time and know that Amy is safe and resting in peace..

Answer 5

I think it would be nice to ask Amy if she would like to get another kitty. It always helped me to overcome my grief when I knew I was saving another life from being killed because there is not enough homes.
But I would also tell Amy that this time we will keep the kitty inside where it is safe and can live a long healthy life.

Answer 6

At seven years old, this is a very vulnerable age. The best thing that you can do is be completely honest. First of all, assure her that it was nothing that she did. Secondly, let her get through her grieving and maybe think about getting her another one. Keep the cat completely indoors. This is the safest way to assure that nothing happens to them. If she is pretty responsible, she will be over active to keep this cat happy and safe. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Are you speaking about a useless kitten? after I first examine that question, it kinda freaked me out. useless KITTEN, i wish? in the experience that your cat had kittens, and did not expel one among them, the useless kitten will reason an infection and probably make her flow septic, that is deadly. in case you sense your cat nevertheless has a useless kitten in her after shipping, then she desires to flow to the veterinarian ASAP. a demonstration of that's that she may have a foul smell or discharge that has a gloomy coloration to it. She may be operating a temperature, and maximum probably appearing torpid, refusing food and appearing often unwell. there is an injection (i trust it really is a hormone) that a vet can administer that ought to reason contractions to commence back that could reason her to expel the kitten. She may then choose a cycle of especially solid antibiotics to treatment any an infection. If the kitten is in basic terms too large to provide, the vet may prefer to finish surgical operation to get rid of the kitten. If he does this, it may likely bring about spaying her interior the approach, which does not be a foul concept besides. Like with any being pregnant, issues can flow incorrect. allow your cat be a contented and healthy puppy and go away the breeding as a lot because the pro breeders. i wish you get her nicely and get her spayed so that you do not ought to agonize about this back.

Answer 8

That was the sweetest poem I have ever read in my life....the emotions in me are so strong. Even though my kitty is only 5 months, the day will come and I dread that day already. I cannot imagine. I am so sorrry for her loss and yours. I am going to save a copy of that poem. It was so touching. If you write comments to her about her answer as the best....pleae tell her how deeply touched I was by that poem!

Good luck to you and your daughter and I am sorry I do not have much advice.

Answer 9

That is so sad, could you consider making her a hero by rescuing a kitty from the humane society, There just isnt any good answer for this. Good Luck

Answer 10

be sure to bury the cat in your back yard she can watch tell her its ok to visit the grave then let her pick out a replacment spca best.