How does losing a pet affect a child?
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How does losing a pet affect a child?
Like anyone dealing with a loss, kids usually feel a variety of emotions besides sadness after the death of a pet. They might experience loneliness, anger if the pet was euthanized, frustration that the pet couldn’t get better, or guilt about times that they were mean to or didn’t care for the pet as promised.
What are the effects of losing a pet?
Some people find grief following the loss of a pet comes in stages, where they experience different feelings such as denial, anger, guilt, depression, and eventually acceptance and resolution. Others find that their grief is more cyclical, coming in waves, or a series of highs and lows.
How do you help a child grieve the loss of a pet?
Helpful tips for the grieving child include:
- Giving the child permission to work through their grief. – Tell their teacher about the pet’s death.
- NEVER say things like “God took your pet,” or the pet was “put to sleep.”
- Include the child in everything that is going on.
- Explain the permanency of death.
Is losing a pet the same as losing a child?
Research has confirmed that for most people, the loss of a dog is, in almost every way, comparable to the loss of a human loved one. Perhaps if people realized just how strong and intense the bond is between people and their dogs, such grief would become more widely accepted.
Do animals improve mental health?
The mental health benefits of owning a dog or cat have been proven by many scientific studies. Animals help with depression, anxiety, and stress. In addition, they provide companionship and ease loneliness. Moreover, pets bring us joy and unconditional love.
What are the disadvantages of having a pet?
Disadvantages of Owning a Pet
- Owning a pet can be time-consuming.
- Some pets can be quite expensive.
- Significant costs for food.
- You have to bring them to the veterinarian in case of sickness.
- Your pet may get involved in an accident.
- Hard to say goodbye.
- Owning pets can be dangerous if you have small kids.