how to tell your 4 year old your cat died?

we told him the truth,didn't hide anything

Don't tell him it ran away, that will just make him upset for a longer time wondering if it will come back and if it is ok.Yes he will be sad and cry when you tell him the cat died. But kids have to learn to deal with death, it's a natural part of growing up. Sit him down and tell him the kitty died. Yes it will be painful, for him and you, but it is necessary. Make sure you tell him the kitty didn't suffer, that it was so quick he didn't feel anything.

Then all you can do is comfort him until he starts to feel better. It's sad all away around, but it will be no matter what.

Don't jump right on the idea of getting a new pet. A lot of times kids, even little ones, will feel offended at the idea of replacing a pet. So, unless he brings up the idea, wait at least a few weeks before getting a new one.

I'm sure she is aware of the concept of heaven? Tell her that she has gone to heaven. To a better place where she will have lots of friends to play with all the time. She will be able to have lovely food and it will not rain when she is outside. No dogs barking at her, because in heaven dogs and cats play with each other. Just break it to her gently. You don't need to tell her that she was wrapped around the back wheels of the lorry that ran her over, if that is how she died, that bit you can lie about. But from experience if you lie about death it will only come back and bite you later. Just lay it on thick that where she is now is so much better than where we all are now.

Wow...that's a hard one. I don't know how well a four year old can grasp death. I know that when I was a child my parents told me our dog ran away when it had really died. I spent two years looking for him before my parents came out with the truth. That was hard.

I think you should tell him that kitty died. Maybe leave out the hit-by a -car details, though. He will be upset, but I think he'll be over it very quickly...out of sight out of mind. Maybe wait until he asks about the cat to tell him.

The best thing to do would be to tell your child the truth. The curiosity your son will have with the concept will curb his mind off the fact that the cat is gone.

tell the truth!! but gently and be aware that kids dont really understand death

when my daughters 1st pet died i told her he wasnt very well and went to heaven to live with all the other hamsters and that he was all better up there

yes she cried but to be honest she was crying because she missed her pet not because he was dead

you may as well tell the truth as your son will be upset either way and you dont want him to think the cat didnt love him or didnt want to be his pet

answer whatever questions he has but give him the sugar coated version

i hope you find this helpfull

We had two gerbils that my daughter adored and they recently passed. I told her the truth and answered her questions about that.

I explained to her that Starsky and Hutch had died and wouldn't be with us anymore. When she asked what died meant, I explained that it meant that they were no longer alive like they used to be and they would not be coming back and we would not see them again. My daughter was very calm and more curious then upset.

You have to tell him as much of the truth as you will think he understands in a way that he understands. I was angry with my in-laws and when their dog died they told her he had went to live at the lake and now everytime we go to their lake home, she expects him to be there.

You need to tell your son that the cat died- he needs to learn the painful lesson that death is part of life.

Gently explain to him that although Whiskers isn't with us anymore, he's in a special place with Uncle Bob (or another deceased relative if you have one)

I'm sorry about your cat!

Tell him the truth. And explain that sometimes these things happen.

No matter what you do, don't hide the truth. Don't tell him that dieying is like sleeping.