Instructions
Admit honestly that your pet has died. Do not attempt to soothe your child by lying, avoiding the subject, or changing the facts. Be direct and don't be afraid to explain that death means the animal is gone for good, at least from this life.
Answer your child's questions as gently but as straightforward as possible. Very young kids are extremely curious, and they will have many questions about death and dying. Be prepared to field questions about what happens to the body in death, spirits, heaven and the finality of death.
Address a period of mourning for your child and do not attempt to stop it right away. You must show your child that grief is an appropriate emotion after a death, and let the child express that grief for a little while. During the mourning period, very young kids may express their feeling of loss by regressing their behavior back to habits like thumb sucking and temper tantrums.
How to Handle the Death of a Pet With a 4 Year Old
Kids are naturally resilient, but it's hard to remember that when the family must deal with the death of a pet. Young children do not understand death the same way adults do, and the situation should be approached with care. When explaining to your four-year-old child that death is a natural occurrence in life, it's hard to keep the conversation positive as the child realizes Fluffy is not coming back. However, it is possible to turn the conversation into a valuable lesson on the facts of life, and your child will benefit from such a frank discussion.