How should I tell my 6-year-old that I had to put our pet cat to sleep?

Question

I'm taking my cat to the vet this afternoon, and I have a very strong suspicion that the best thing for her is to be put to sleep. She's been my cat for many many years and as heartbroken as I am, I have no idea how to break this news to my 6-year-old son, who is in school today when I am taking the cat to the vet. She's been in his life since he was born, and he really loves her. How can I explain this to him when I pick him up from school?

Answer 1

Just tell him that the cat got sick and you took him to the doctor and the cat died.  Just say the cat died at the doctor.  Do not talk about the vet killing the cat or putting it to sleep.  Just say the vet tried to help the cat but it did not work and the cat died.  Just say that the doctor said that it was better that the cat died because he was in a lot of pain and should not have to suffer like that.

Answer 2

Take him out of school to say good bye. I know it's not right, but he may not trust you. Honestly, he is 6: his mom sends him to school, then goes out and kills the cat. That's NOT at all how I see it, but he's 6, and he might. Good luck!

Answer 3

oh gosh this must be tough!!

a few things you could say are.

hes gone to dat heaven to play with all the other cats.

explain that the cat was poorly and in pain and he is better in cat heaven

that he needed to go stay with his mommy and daddy cat

im so sorry to hear about your cat and i hope it all works out ok!

Answer 4

We had to do the same thing with our dog. Our son was in school and when he got home we just told him that we took Sasha to the doctor and she died. We told him that she was very old and very sick. There is also a poem that I've heard of called "The Bridge" or something about pets that have gone to a place right outside of Heaven and are waiting for their loved ones to meet them and go through the gates together...something like that, but it's a very nice poem that might help. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Just tell him that your cat was very old, and was in pain. You love her but couldn't bare to put her through that suffering, so you put her down. Just make sure he knows that his cat is in a happy place now.

Answer 6

Don't tell him.  Say he ran away....6yrs old is a bit young to discuss death.

Answer 7

I just told my 6 year old daughter that we put our dog to sleep yesterday. It was heartbreaking. She was so sad. I just explained why we did it, how it was done, and that she is happier now. I then just held her and let her cry. I told her that it is okay to be sad but we should be happy that she isn't sick anymore. She was still sad this morning but will be better soon I am sure. One idea might be to give him a picture of them together in a frame for his room.

Answer 8

well..as hard as it will be.

your going to have to make him understand that it was the best thing to do and in life you have to loose things you love.

tell him that the kitty was hurting very badly and that she was old and she needed to go to heaven

and tell him that she is still there watching over him and she loves him

and that it would be mean to keep her here becaz she was in pain.

and dont tell him that you had the doctor put her to sleep,, just say that she was sick and at the doctor she died/

and maybe after a while get a new pet that is a baby so you have it for a while.

but wait a bit so that he knows your not trying to replace his old friend.

Answer 9

Well, depending on if you have talked about death to your daughter, I would tell her that the Kitty Was called by god and  she had to go to heaven. that the kitty will be very happy there more than she was here then if she starts crying give her a warm hug. Then If you wish later in time you can get another pet. :]

Answer 10

What I would say is tell him about death and that it was better for the cat to be put to sleep. Your son might not uderstand it but later on in his life he will.

Answer 11

This is so hard!  I've had to go through this with a couple of pets, and it's not easy to find the right words.  

I would stay away from the words "put the cat to sleep," because it might lead your son to believe that he (or you) might die during sleep.   Tell him that the kitty has been very sick, and in a lot of pain.  The vet gave her special medicine so that she would die peacefully and not suffer anymore.

You might want to bring the cat's remains home, so that you and your son can have a little "funeral" for her, and so that he can have a chance to say goodbye to her.  This will give him some closure.   Also, you can ask your vet for some advice on this issue.   Most of them are sensitive to the issues regarding children losing a beloved pet.

So sorry about your kitty!

Answer 12

loosing a pet is almost like loosing a family member. You just have to explain to him that all things have to die. If your spiritual you can say the cat is in heaven now and not in pain anymore.

If you have a yard you could have a ceremony in honor of the cat and make a cross out of twigs. We did this with a goldfish and a guinea pig.

This is one reason i think it is important to have pets, although we miss them when they are gone it helps us explain the most heartbreaking thing we have to go through in life. Loosing a loved one.

good luck and just be open and honest with your son. or you could do what my mom did and say the cat went to live on a farm (although, I would not do that).