Helping children cope with loss

Children can form strong bonds with their pets and for many youngsters losing a pet may be their first experience of the death of something close to them.

When a pet dies, children can feel as though they have lost their best friend or an important member of the family, and may be left feeling sad and lonely.

The way in which children and those around them deal with pet loss may lay the foundation for how they cope with other losses in later life.

Our Children and Pet Bereavement leaflet contains useful tips for supporting children when a pet dies. (Link opens as a PDF)