Talking to your child about the subject of death is not easy, especially if it is someone close or family. Many children experience death for the first time with the loss of someone extremely special to them: their pet.
From a young age, children may notice that their puppy, cat, or another type of pet is no longer in everyday settings. Some dads choose to tell them that he ran away and that he is in a better place. According to experts, it is best to tell them the truth so as not to confuse them and to think of other types of situations that could accentuate their pain.
The best way to explain death is by telling them that your pet is not going to move, breathe, and eat again, because up to 5 years old children see death as a temporary and reversible state, and they can hope that their pet will come back.
When faced with the death of your pet, it is natural for children to show sadness, denial, guilt, fear, frustration, and anger. Some may have other types of sequelae, such as bedwetting, nightmares, poor appetite, or insomnia.
As parents, it is important that we understand your pain and be flexible with your emotions. We can help him by spending more time with him, sharing games and watching movies that distract him and keep him from constantly remembering his pet.
Children also often ask many questions about the death of their pet, as they are interested in knowing what happened to a loved one so dear to them: it is important to answer each of their questions clearly, avoiding lying, but also to be graphic and realistic.
It is not recommended to replace your pet immediately, as children must experience a time of mourning, process it little by little and close that cycle. This will help them understand that loved ones, even pets, are not something that can be easily replaced and that they have significant sentimental value.
It is best for the child to take the initiative to have a pet again; Even so, as parents, they must allow time for the child to finish assimilating the emptiness left by his friend.