Read our tips on how to deal with grief and coming to terms with the loss of a pet.
There are few things more difficult to deal with than the loss of a pet. Dealing with the loss of a beloved animal can be especially painful for children, who may not fully understand what has happened.
When you have lost your pet, it is important that you take some time out to grieve and come to terms with their death. The following tips will help you cope during this difficult time.
* Spend time with your pet’s things – If you have a dog or cat, spend some time looking at all of the pictures and memories. It will help you to remember them better and it may also make you feel less lonely
– Play their favourite songs / watch one of their favourite movies
– Take care of their memorial garden – If you have a pet, it is important that they are remembered and not forgotten. You can plant flowers or vegetables in their favourite colours to remind you of them
– Talk about your memories with friends – Sharing the stories of time spent together will help others understand what has happened
– Write down all the happy times that you had together. This will help you to remember your pet and make them feel less forgotten
– Write a letter – Writing this down may be the only way that some children can come t terms with their grief. The next things are also worth considering:
* Get another animal companion, if possible – Having another pet around might help remind you of the good times. It is important to be aware that this might not work for everyone
* Find a way to keep your pet’s memory alive – If possible, try and find things that remind you of how they were
– Keep their favourite toy or blanket around the house with you
– Make sure there are always pictures up so people can remember them
– Take your pet’s remains to the burial site and have them buried with their favourite toys, if possible
This will help you cope with the loss of your pet and allow them to remain in your life for as long as possible.
* Do not forget about previous pets that have passed away – You may feel like they are forgotten, but it is important to keep their memory alive too.
The loss of a pet is something that can be very difficult for children. When you have lost your pet, it is important that you take some time out to grieve and come to terms with their death.
Explaining the death:
– It’s not always easy, but you should let them know about the death of their pet. They might not understand how they are still there if they cannot see them anymore
– Let them know that the animal isn’t upset or angry, it just wants to be rested
– If necessary, explain why the dog or cat has died – this might help reassure them of life after death
– Gradually introduce new animals over time so as to limit their feelings of abandonment.
– Sometimes, as in the case of the loss of a pet, children might not understand that it is dead. This can be especially hard for them
The feelings associated with losing a pet:
– Guilt – you may feel guilty about things like getting another dog or cat because they are feeling ignored and jealous
– Anger – this usually comes from a lack of understanding
– Anxiety – this can come from uncertainty about what will happen in the future and not knowing if they’ll be able to cope with someone new or different.
– Grief – this might come from separation anxiety or the feeling of abandonment
Ongoing support:
– In some cases, children may not be able to cope with these feelings. It is important that they talk about what has happened and how it makes them feel
– If your child does need counselling, there are services out there that can help them to work through their feelings
– Talking to an animal behaviourist might be helpful too – they often have a much different understanding of the importance and meaning of animals.
It is important that you do not try and pretend as nothing has happened. Your child needs support during this hard time, so take some time out to grieve and come to terms with their death.
* Reconnecting with a pet can be difficult for children, as they may feel like the new animal has replaced them or that they are being abandoned again.
It is important not to rush this process – make sure you have enough time before introducing another pet into the house so your child can get used to them.
– If the animal has been buried, it is important that you let your child know how and where they are resting
– It might be a good idea for your children to come with you or take part in this process – there are many kids who have found comfort in being able to see their pet’s grave.