https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:54:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-down-your-pet-what-do-you-tell-your-kids#post-2342265 Mon, 02 Nov 2015 17:13:06 +0000 sslm 2342265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2farmmoms: thanks for weighing in. That perspective is really helpful :)</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: it's so hard to know how honest to be for sure </p> <p>@mamabolt: that's a good point. Putting to sleep is kind of a poor term for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-down-your-pet-what-do-you-tell-your-kids#post-2342248 Mon, 02 Nov 2015 11:52:56 +0000 mamabolt 2342248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We told out three year old that our dog was very sick a and hurting and his body wasn't working anymore and he couldn't get better so the vet helped him not hurt anymore and gave him a shot. Of course, a few weeks later she asked if her grandfather also got a shot when he died. We wanted to avoid and "put to sleep" language so sleep didn't become scary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-down-your-pet-what-do-you-tell-your-kids#post-2342232 Mon, 02 Nov 2015 11:34:56 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2342232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think even at 6 I would keep it vague. My LO is 4 and when her great-grandfather died, we just let her know that he was old and his body stopped working. I would worry that a kid wouldn't be able to understand the choice and the why behind it all. But to be open and honest about death. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-down-your-pet-what-do-you-tell-your-kids#post-2342206 Mon, 02 Nov 2015 11:09:56 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2342206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My experience is on the other side, being a vet tech I've euthanized many animals. In my experience the kids who seemed to deal with it best were those whose parents just told them the truth. Often those parents let the kids be present (which was hard for me but maybe made it more understandable for the kid). Often kids would come with and then go out of the room before I actually gave the injection. But I don't think there's any reason not to explain euthanasia. I don't think of it as a bad thing we shouldn't talk about. To me, having done it so many times, it's a good thing to be able to do for an animal that has been such a selfless companion. We can end their suffering in an incredibly painless, calm, quiet manner. What a way to go. So I guess I would just be honest. The dog is obviously old and sick, probably painful in some way. I think a 5 year old will understand that. So then we are going to take it to the vet where they will help it go to heaven. If its still eating, many families make a big deal of giving the dog 10 hamburgers or something similarly special. Sorry that was rambling. I just feel that euthanasia doesn't have to be such a confusing thing for kids. Its really a good thing to do for an animal at the right time, I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-down-your-pet-what-do-you-tell-your-kids#post-2342138 Mon, 02 Nov 2015 10:25:24 +0000 sslm 2342138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Asking for my sister... her 11 year old lab is really not doing well and the vet thinks she's in a lot of pain. The vet told them they should consider putting her down. My sister is extremely upset, this dog has been around longer than her kids or husband. She was her companion when she was single and living by herself.</p> <p>Right now she's looking for recommendations on how/what to tell her almost 6 year old... any advice? In general about death, but also, do you tell them the whole euthanizing thing? Or do you leave that part out?</p> <p>Parenting is hard...</p> <p>(we are a semi-religious family so heaven is definitely talked about) </p>