Explaining a pet's death to kids

[JC316]

Bummer. Just found out my 11 year old cat also has terminal cancer. You either have a choice, explain death or say they ran away. Depends on how old the child is. I would personally tell the truth, then get another cat.

[71chevellejohn]

Make them watch Old Yeller. Then hand them the gun and tell they know what needs to be done.

[GrayStangGT]

We had a pet cow when I was little, and when we ate him I told my little sister it went out for lunch and got lost.

She thought it was completely plausible and we had a freezer full of steaks and hamburgers. In short, little kids will believe anything.

[Frank]

I knew there would be some dark humor. I LOL'd. Yeah it sucks, but my kids will be fine I know. They are 4 & 5 yo. My daughter still brings up her last "lost" kitty from 3 years ago.

[Treasure Chest]

I knew there would be some dark humor. I LOL'd. Yeah it sucks, but my kids will be fine I know. They are 4 & 5 yo. My daughter still brings up her last "lost" kitty from 3 years ago.

Tough call, but I don't think I'd put both down at once. That's a shit ton of loss in one setting for the kids, but it would really depend how you've addressed death with them, and how well they cope with it.

[carbd89sleeper]

nope!

Yeah "Cause the first thing you gotta learn if your gonna be a racecar driver is you don't listen to losers like your know it all teacher. Your teacher wants you to go slow! Its the fastest who gets paid and its the fastest who get laid!"

[71chevellejohn]

Or you could buy a pony - they'll forget about the cats and you can have them put down at your leisure.