Pet Loss Counseling for Kids: Helping Dying Pets

Video Transcript

Sometimes, a pet's death is very sudden and you don't have the opportunity to be able to spend that extra loving, caring time with them. But, in the situations when you do know in advance that your pet, perhaps, has a terminal illness; then one of the ways that it's important for children to be involved is that end-of-life care. Depending on the children's age, it may involve medication administration, it could be as simple as putting a blanket on the pet, grooming the pet; just giving them extra love and attention. I think this is very important for children to be involved in this and get a chance to say their goodbyes. It's also important, too, that they receive accurate information with the correct terminology. It is important that you don't use words such as "Oh, Buffy went to sleep", or "Buffy ran away", because this is confusing to children; they tend to think in a very concrete way, and they may be afraid then themselves to go to go to sleep at night thinking that they are not going to wake up. So it's important to use the words that your pet is dying, and that your pet will eventually be deceased and to use the correct terminology. Sometimes it can be helpful also to involve a veterinarian in explaining some of the medical conditions to the children in a language that the children can understand. I think that this is a very, very important time, and even though it's difficult and I've been through it with a few dogs; watching them become ill and becoming weaker, it's a very painful thing to experience but also gives you and your children an opportunity to them your undivided love and attention and that's a very important time.

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