Advice on pets dying?

Question

whats a good way to get over a pet's death. what should be done? cremation, burial? also of its a little kids pet what can you do to help the kid? i need advice i have a dying pet.

Answer 1

Discuss what happens when a loved one dies.

Make sure the child knows that "death" is not the same as "asleep".

Burial in a backyard is good for closure.

Have the child paint a small rock to use as a grave marker.

Reassure the child that life goes on.

Answer 2

We had a beloved cat (23 years old) cremated after we lost him because we didn't want to bury him somewhere we might leave. Otherwise, burial is cheaper. Visit the Rainbow Bridge site at http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm and if the child is old enough, share the poem with him or her. There are a number of links at the bottom of the page to places that can help you get your child through this. I'm far from a child, but we lost two of our cats (old age for the 18 yr old, cancer for the 14 year old) this last February and it *hurts*. Give it some time and then talk about getting another pet. We adopted again in April, a 3 year old adult cat as the adults have a more difficult time finding good homes.

Update: I poked around a little more and found this page on how to help a child deal with the grief of losing a pet. I hope it helps.
http://rainbowsbridge.com/Grief_Support_Center/Grief_Support/Chrildren_and_petloss.htm

Answer 3

Its about the pet and keeping it comfortable. In the mean time explain to the child that death is a part of life and at some point, we all die, and if you believe that we all meet up in the end let the child know he or she will see the pet again. And the pet will happy and healthy for ever! No more pain and no more suffering. Please, if you know your pet is not handling its last stages well, call the vet, take the pet to the vet and have them help the pet through the stages of death. The vet shouldn't allow the pet to suffer. If the Vet see fit to euthanize the pet let him or her do it! In terms of burial or cremation, I cremate my pets so that I can have them with me where ever I go. If I move, I can take my pet with me and I don't have to leave them in the backyard of the house I sold for example. The vet can also organize the cremation for you. Yes, you will have to pay for it and it is a bit expensive, however, if the pet is a part of the family, then I would assume that no expense is spared.
Good Luck and may God bless you, your family and more over, your dying pet.

Answer 4

I'm so sorry to hear about your ailing pet.

I run a pet rescue from my home, and while I remain no-kill, that doesn't stop animals from dying of old age, or from things we can't help (had one last year pass away from an irreparable heart defect he was born with).

I have never sugar-coated the truth for my kids. They're very young yet, but they seem to fully understand death, and accept it as part of life in general. Everything that is alive, will, at some point, die. Yes, it's hard when a pet dies. That's a given.

When one of our animal friends dies, we have a burial at my Mom's house. She owns a large property, and doesn't plan on moving ever again, so it's a safe place for us to lay our animal friends to rest. We've buried cats, dogs, mice, birds, baby chickens, a guinea pig, and yes, even a few fish. Each animal has a special marker, so we know who is where, and we can go back and remember them.

Don't jump into getting another pet right away. It may confuse the child, thinking that you are attempting to replace their beloved pet. I've found that a lot of people will end up not keeping the new pet because after a few weeks, they realize they just aren't ready to move on yet. Of course, in some cases it's beneficial, but I've found that far fewer people are the "right away" kind of people.

Answer 5

Sorry to hear that you have a pet dying. The best way would be to bury it. My wife and I lost a hedgehog not too long ago. My wife's father made a little box for a coffin and buried him in. The kid could help pick out decorations like flowers and markers for the grave. Best advice I can give to the kid is its o.k to cry and mourn its difficult for awhile. Over time it does gets a little better. Let them know that in heaven it will no longer be in any pain and it will have plenty of friends to play with there and it will be waiting for the kid someday.

I hope this helps a little.

Answer 6

First of all you need to think about the pets well being.
Dont allow the pet to live its last few days in agony and suffering. The best way to put a pet asleep is to take him/her to your local vet clinic and pay the service. They can cremate the pet for you there as well. We love our pets and we should love them enough to not let them suffer in their last days. Little children need to understand the process of life and that we dont live forever. There is no way to sugar coat suffering and death so be forward with it yet kind and understanding with the child.

Answer 7

As a young child, we had a family dog who was dying and I was mortified. My mom did a very noble, but difficult thing with me. She explained to me that Lady (our dachshund) was very sick and was in lots of pain. I went with her to the vets office when we went to have her euthanized. I held her until it was time for her to go. We took her home and burried her in the "pet cemetary" at a friends barn. My mom told me that every animal that my Uncle Wayne had was buried with Lady. She said all the other animals would keep her company, and that she was in a better place. Uncle Wayne and mom told me I could come visit her grave anytime I wanted to. I am 22 today, and I still go visit. I have buried all my pets there next to my Lady.

I think having a place where I could always go back to it was what helped me the most. Its never easy losing a pet, but it happens, its a course of nature. Children will cry (and adults, I balled when I had to put down my 4 week old puppy who had distemper) so just let them know that the family pet is better now.

Hope this helps! My deepest sympathies for your loss.


PS- Bury the animal in a rubbermaid tub so that other animals (coyotes dogs possums, etc) don't dig it up. It covers the scent.

Answer 8

Others have posted some very good ideas and thoughts.
as to how to deal with loss of a pet for a child, here is a poem that has helped many:

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....

Author unknown...

Answer 9

you should bury it because i think cremation is just mean. just tell the kid the pet went to heaven and is better there and you might get a new pet.

Answer 10

well i have had this happen to me so much and i always hate it. if your pet is suffering though put it down. i prefer cremation because i can have the ashes in my room so it feels like they are still there its weird i know. i am just a teen so i take it hard.you just kinda have to take time sometimes they don't take it so hard others they do. kinda do things to take their mind off of it. it will always be in the back of their minds but at least you can calm that thought down by doing somthing they enjoy