If you lose a pet, it’s important to be gentle with yourself. It is not an easy process, and it can take a while for you to get through all the stages of grief. Here’s How To Get Over the Loss of a Pet.

Children would need emotional support after losing a pet, especially if they were close to their pet. If possible, bring children to say goodbye before the animal dies; don’t leave this task until after the death occurs. You might consider bringing your child to visit or caring for his or her How To Get Over the Loss of a Pet as well because then he/she will realize that although his/her own pet has died, other pets are still available in this world. In fact, some great family therapy may result from having another dog as a “substitute” or from adopting another one.

Some other points are discussed below to help you get over the loss of a pet.

Familiarize Your Child With Death

If your child is young, explain the reason for the pet’s death and how it happened in simple terms. If your child doesn’t ask any questions, don’t feel compelled to fill in the silence with an explanation about the details of death and dying. This often leads to confusion and can result in fear of death even at a young age. When children reach school age, they may be ready for more information on adults’ concepts surrounding death. The National Institutes of Health recommends that parents use straightforward language when discussing these matters with their children: “When we die, our bodies become cold and stop working. We cannot see, hear, move, cry, eat or feel anything.”

This is an age-appropriate approach to explaining death to children. It helps them to understand that death is permanent, which is likely what most concerns young children.

Children often feel grief with or without your guidance, but there are some things you can do to help them cope. Children mourn differently than adults, so it’s important not to compare their grief to yours. Here are some guidelines for helping your child cope with the loss of a pet:

Children And Pets

To help children cope with loss, have them take part in choosing their next pet with you. If possible, the child should be allowed to visit the animal before it is taken home. Let your child’s school know about your pet’s death so that teachers and counselors can watch for changes in behavior at school or among the child’s friends.

Let Your Child Know That It Is All Right To Show His/Her Feelings About The Loss Of A Pet

Otherwise, he/she may learn to hide his/her feelings when something distressing happens in his/her life. You can also show support by watching children’s shows together that deal with these issues, talking about what they mean to you, sharing how you felt when a pet died, and talking about how you came to terms with the loss.

Hire a Grief Counselor If Needed

If your child has a hard time sharing or understanding his/her emotions, he/she may benefit from professional counseling. Don’t feel that this means there’s something wrong with your child. It just means that he/she might need help learning to cope with sad times in life by talking through his/her memories of the pet, feeling out loud about the pain of loss, and learning alternative ways to express feelings.