Everyone is mortal, including our beloved cats. The reasons for the death of pets are different - old age, accident, illness. The worst thing is when you have to resort to euthanasia. It is very difficult to cope with the death of an animal that you are accustomed to treating as a member of the family. It is even more difficult to explain to a child what death is. The lifespan of pets is shorter than that of humans. We must come to terms with the fact that we will have to survive their loss. And it’s better to know how to prepare for it.
Cats Die Alone
Feeling the approach of death, cats tend to get away from people. When this is not possible, they hide in a secluded place.
There are symptoms that can help you determine imminent death cat:
- loss of appetite, refusal of food and water;
- shortness of breath and difficulty breathing;
- slow heartbeat and low blood pressure;
- a decrease in temperature and the presence of an unpleasant odor.
This warning signs, especially if your cat is over 10 years old. If you discover their presence, contact your veterinarian - perhaps the animal is simply experiencing an exacerbation chronic disease. In hopeless cases, the doctor may suggest euthanizing the animal. If this option is unacceptable, surround the cat with care and create conditions for a calm death.
Video: signs that a cat is dying
Remember - cats suffer in silence. Just because they don't complain loudly doesn't mean they aren't in pain.
Cats never voice their pain, but that doesn't mean they don't suffer.
Burying your pet correctly
After the death of a cat, owners are faced with the question of how and where to bury it. pet? The option of “throwing it into the garbage chute” will not work; it is inhumane and prohibited by the Veterinary and Sanitary Rules for the collection, disposal and destruction of biological waste.
So, you can bury a dead animal:
There are catastrophically few specialized burial places for pets. They are, as a rule, only in major cities. The services of companies involved in burying pets are very expensive. But then you won’t have to worry about anything: they will allocate a place, dig a grave, and erect a monument. If the company provides cremation services, bury the urn with the ashes in a cemetery.
For cremation, just contact veterinary clinic. As a rule, more or less large clinics have everything necessary for this. The service is not cheap (3-5 thousand rubles), but the most acceptable from an environmental point of view.
If you lack finances and time, you can bury the cat yourself in the forest or at the dacha. But we must remember that the Veterinary and Sanitary Rules for the collection, disposal and destruction of biological waste prohibit burying pets next to settlements, in water protection, forest and conservation areas. As corpses decompose, they poison The groundwater and soil. In addition, those who died from infectious disease a pet can cause an epidemic among people and animals.
If you decide to bury your pet yourself:
- Choose a secluded place where they will not grow fruit trees and children play.
- Dig a hole at least two meters deep.
- To prevent the release of toxins hazardous to health during the decomposition of a corpse, pour bleach or other chlorine-containing solution into the bottom of the pit. disinfectant with an active chlorine content of at least 25%, at the rate of 2 kg per 1 m2.
- Sprinkle the pet's corpse with the same disinfectant.
- Place the animal in a box or coffin and bury it.
- Place a mound at least 1 m high above the grave.
In the event of the death of a pet from viral disease, contact your veterinarian. Most likely, experts will advise disinfecting the premises.
How to survive the death of a cat
The death of a beloved pet is always grief and tragedy. The first reaction of an orphaned owner to stress may be stupor, tears and apathy. The realization of the loss comes later. To fill the resulting spiritual emptiness, distract yourself - take on the worries associated with the funeral, because someone will have to do this anyway. Report your cat's death to those who care.
Don't dwell on your loss. Even though you won’t be able to completely forget your beloved pet, try to think positively:
Don’t hold back, cry, tears bring relief. Talk to someone who cares about your loss. And if there is no way to speak out “in a clear voice,” consult a psychologist. There is nothing shameful in this; on the contrary, few people have the courage to admit their weaknesses and turn to a specialist.
If your cat's death occurred after a long, painful illness, try to rejoice at her arrival - she put an end to the animal's suffering.
There is a legend that cats don't die. They go to the rainbow.
Don't get depressed about the death of your beloved animals - they go "to the rainbow"
Keep yourself busy. Come up with an activity, a hobby that will distract you from sad thoughts. Become a volunteer at a shelter for homeless animals, although you can’t help your pet in any way, but you can do a lot for others. Place a few poor souls in kind hands, help cure a dog or cat.
Helping the shelter will be useful for both you and the animals suffering from lack of attention.
It is difficult to get rid of the guilt when having to resort to euthanasia. Convince yourself that by saving your cat from suffering, you have done a good deed. It's normal to sacrifice your feelings and give up your desires for the sake of others.
According to psychologists, the pain after the loss of a loved one subsides after one year. Don’t let sad thoughts drive you into depression during this time. Distract yourself: at work, immerse yourself in business, at home, keep yourself occupied with something new.
And don’t forget that you have a family, shared grief should unite people, help each other.
Support from loved ones can help you cope with loss
How to tell your child
It is more difficult to explain the death of a pet to a child, especially a child of 2–3 years old, when the feelings are deep and strong. The death of a cat can be a reason to talk about death with older children.
If you decide to euthanize, you do not need to tell your child about it. However, if the topic of euthanasia comes up, you should not shy away from the conversation. Try to explain to the child why this was necessary, tell about the suffering that the cat experienced at the end of its life. Explain to your child in an accessible way, in simple words. Let the death of a beloved animal become for him not a universal tragedy, but a life experience.
Cat mysticism
Cats are known to be natural psychics. They heal, predict weather and earthquakes, and discover new abilities in people. Given great importance and how the cat passed away. It’s one thing if death occurred due to natural causes: old age, illness, accident. And it’s a completely different matter when the cat died suddenly, without visible reasons. People prone to mysticism see here witchcraft, corruption, overwhelming human emotions and the influence of otherworldly forces.
Since ancient times, cats have been attributed magical properties.
It has been known since ancient times that cats do not die where they live. Anticipating their death, they try to hide away from prying eyes, closer to the other world. Neither scientists nor astrologers can explain this fact.
Legends advise not to harm cats: they will wait for their offenders on the other side, and the retribution will be severe. But the grateful cat will definitely try to drag her loving owner, who managed to sin in earthly life, to heaven.
Video: signs about cats
Signs about the place of death of a cat
It was considered very bad omen If a cat died at home, it was assumed that in this case the owners would face troubles, illness and even death. In our age of closed doors, when most domestic cats never leave their apartments in their lives, this ominous omen loses its relevance, and the death of a cat brings only sadness to the owners. In addition, now a completely opposite sign has appeared: a cat that dies in the house takes misfortune away from the family. Furry friends protect the peace of their owners: they cleanse the energy of the home, ward off the evil eye, and extinguish negativity directed at the family.
According to legends, after death a cat protects the house from misfortunes
New friend, new life
You shouldn’t “knock things out” and immediately get a new pet after the death of a cat. Before you get a new animal, think about whether you can love it or whether it will be a painful reminder of an old friend?
Don’t try to immediately replace your old attachment with a new one, sort out your feelings
Remember that this will be a completely different animal, with its own character, temperament, and habits. He will need to be raised to accept your family's way of life. This creature requires affection, care, and attention. It is necessary to understand that new cat- This new friend, and not a “replacement” for the departed.
I understand you very much and sincerely sympathize with you! My 8-year-old cat also died a week ago... And for me it turned out to be not so easy to bear the loss of an animal and forget it. But life goes on. God bless! And we must take care of those who live and need us. You need to immediately get another animal, and you will love it too. It’s just not known what problem your kitten had and so that it (if it’s infectious) is not passed on to new ones. Therefore, I advise you to find a good (I understand that this is very difficult here) veterinarian. He will advise, and will come in handy more than once.
Nikolay
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I had a very hard time with the death of my 9-year-old cat. He was domestic cat, but one day, when there were many guests in the house, he ran out into the street. While they were looking for him, some freak set a dog on him... I found what was left of him in a very terrible state. I don’t remember how I lived for a month. Tears. She blamed herself for not saving her. A month later I was able to find consolation in the fact that now he was not in pain, he must be feeling good THERE... And after some time I took little kitten, and convinced myself that the soul of my cat had moved into it. Believe it or not, he is very similar in character to that one. True, after 10 years, for some reason in very coldy, I still remember my Dima and cry. It seems to me that he is cold there... And you can still reassure yourself by the fact that your cat, presumably, lived his life, and quite a long one, in good conditions, in love... Tell yourself - if he were older, he could suffer from some old age diseases. Maybe the way it happened, and for the better, he did not experience in his life severe pain…
https://forum.ngs.ru/board/pets/flat/1908348597/?fpart=1&per-page=50#Post1908355097
Things to Remember You are a unique individual and your grief journey will be different from other people's. Your personal grieving period will also vary in intensity and duration depending on your past life experiences. Below are a few of the many ways you can use to express your pain and speed up the “healing” process:
* open expression emotions such as crying, talking about loss, etc.
* drawing, writing poetry or other artistic expression
* internal experiences, thinking about loss, trying to understand it, often occurring during activities such as meditation, physical exercise, a ride on the bicycle
* devoting time to animal protection organizations, shelters, etc.
* making positive changes to your personal life
* compiling an album with photographs of your pet, memories of him, etc.
* keeping a diary or journal describing and documenting your experiences
Friends or family members may try to convince you to adopt a new pet before you feel ready. You are the only person who knows exactly when and if the time comes for such a commitment.
[Based on materials from the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Translation from English by Isaeva I.V., 2009]
AWL, administrator
http://zoomir.mybb.ru/viewtopic.php?id=1963
It is impossible to prepare for the death of a loved one. It is very difficult to accept and come to terms with it. But we have the power to preserve good memories of a departed pet, whose existence made our life funnier and more hectic, calmer and more comfortable. The task is not to forget, but to come to terms with it. And the pain of loss should not poison life, which continues no matter what.
The death of a beloved pet is always a difficult event in a person's life. It is important not to withdraw into yourself during this period and understand that it will become easier over time. You can use the tips in this article on how to cope with the death of a cat. They will not help get rid of the bitterness of loss completely, but they will help alleviate emotional condition in this period.
The death of a cat is equally difficult for both women and men. A severe emotional state during this period can lead to depression and other psychological diseases. This can happen if you focus only on your grief and fall out of active life.
To prevent this from happening to you, use the tips below::
- Talk to the people who care about you. Don't bottle up your emotions or suppress them. Talking to people close to you and getting support will help you feel better. Suppressing emotions sometimes leads to various diseases both physiological and mental.
- Avoid communicating with people who may hurt your feelings. Unfortunately, not all people are kind and want to listen to other people’s problems about the death of a cat. If you start telling them about your grief, you may encounter a rude response, which will worsen your condition. This doesn’t mean that people are bad, it’s just that not everyone likes to hear about other people’s grief. Especially when they have their own problems.
- Try not to react to statements such as: “stop whining”, “what are you like little”, “died and died” and the like. Focusing on such caustic phrases will not do any good. Remember that you have the right to express your emotions the way you want. People have no right to tell you that you shouldn't experience grief.
- Don't fall out of life. Remember that you have a family and possibly other animals. Spend time with them and take care of them. Life does not end with the death of a cat, there are also other people and animals around who need you.
- Do something to distract yourself. If you don't have a hobby, find one. Go in for sports, as during exercise a person produces a hormone of happiness. Take time for yourself, relax, read a book or get out into nature. These hobbies will help you feel better.
By following these tips, you will not get rid of grief completely; you will still have to go through a difficult period after the death of your cat. But you can distract yourself and make it less painful.
Should I see a psychologist?
There are situations when a person cannot survive the death of his beloved cat. This often happens if he lived with a cat most own life. Children also experience this loss very hard.
It also sometimes happens that a person is lonely and has no one to talk to. In such situations, a session or several sessions with a psychologist will help.
A psychologist will help you avoid becoming depressed, ease your emotional state and help you cope with the loss.
In some cases, several sessions are required.
Is it worth getting a new pet after the death of a cat?
Your friends may suggest getting a kitten or puppy to distract you after your cat's death. But it is better to do this after you have already come to terms with the death of the cat.
If you get a cat when the pain of loss has not yet passed, then he may irritate you with his behavior. The fact is that you are already accustomed to the behavior of your pet, but the kitten will have completely different behavior. Constant comparison will only remind you of the loss. Perhaps the kitten will never settle down and you will have to give it away.
If you think this will help you, then try to approach it responsibly. Think a few times about whether you are simply trying to avoid the problem and hide your feelings related to the death of your cat. In this case, a new animal is not a solution to the problem.
How to help your child cope with loss
For a child, the death of a cat often comes as a real shock. It is important to support your child during this period. Also use the tips below to help ease your child's pain..
- Often parents do not mention at all that the cat may someday die. So they are trying not to traumatize his psyche. But the only thing this will lead to is even more shock. Explain that death is a natural phenomenon that happens sooner or later. With this awareness, it will be easier for the child to accept the death of the cat.
- If you want to smooth out this situation, then come up with a story that all animals go to heaven after death. Explain that the cat will be fine in that world, so the baby should not worry about him.
- Children tend to blame themselves or their parents for the death of the cat. It is important to explain that such things do not depend on the baby or you. They just happen, and it's important to understand that. Otherwise, the feeling of guilt will torment your child for a long time.
- Sometimes parents don't tell the truth about a cat's death. Instead they say she ran away or is sleeping somewhere. But it is important to understand that because of this, the child will be constantly nervous and expect that the pet will return at some point. Waiting will be difficult for your child, so think about whether you want to take on this responsibility in advance.
- If your child is experiencing a difficult loss and you cannot help him, then consult a psychologist. They are in every kindergarten or school, so finding one is not a problem.
- Try to captivate the child with something, do not let him completely immerse himself in the memories of the cat. Let him know that life is not over.
- It is important to support the child during this period, not to put pressure on him or demand a quick return to normal state. It is normal to worry after the death of a pet.
The death of a cat is a traumatic experience for both adults and children. But adults understand that they are not to blame for this, and this happens. In contrast, children are not always able to cope with their grief on their own. Therefore, it is important to be there, support and find fun things to do.
Many parents, immediately after the death of a cat, bring another kitten into the house in the hope that the child will forget about the previous one. But in response, the baby may not accept the new pet and may be offended by his parents for misunderstanding. Let your child grieve his loss and then decide for himself whether he wants to get a new cat or not.
What do psychologists say?
There is a theory in psychology that a person needs to go through 6 stages in order to come to terms with a bereavement in life:
- negation;
- anger;
- guilt;
- Adoption;
- return to normal daily life.
Each person is individual, so determine the duration of each stage individual person- impossible. But, one way or another, in case of loss you need to go through all 6 stages.
Some people try to ignore it, hide their feelings, try to move on, and don't want to allow themselves to suffer over the cat's death. This behavior will only slow down the process of returning to normal life.
The death of a cat is a difficult experience for everyone. Over the life of our pets, we become very attached to them, they become members of our family, so experiencing this loss is the same as experiencing the death of a relative. Don't blame yourself for your emotions and try not to shut down or become completely absorbed in your grief. Remember that you have loved ones, and you need to continue to live even after the death of the cat.
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There was always an animal next to man. Some people love rats, some hamsters, some dogs, some cats... parrots, fish, spiders, snakes. Each animal brings its owner a certain amount of joy and happiness. Many even benefit. For example, watching fish calms the nervous system, stroking a cat and sleeping on a sore spot promotes a speedy recovery, a dog is the best hunting companion, and so on.
But, unfortunately, no matter how hard we try to prolong the life of a pet by providing it with everything necessary: food, timely prescribed treatment, all kinds of care, no one has yet been able to bypass old age. And after years of living hand in hand, you still have to part. And let it be precisely death from old age, rather than an accident or serious illness.
In this article we will talk about how to survive the death of a beloved pet, how to help yourself cope with the pain of loss, and also look for the answer to the questions: do animals have a soul, where do animals go after their death, and some others.
Why do animals leave home before they die?
A frequently asked question: Why does a cat or dog try to leave the house before it dies? Under no circumstances should animals be humanized. They do this unconsciously; trying to leave home is not at all a concern for psychological state owner. So that he does not suffer, does not worry, does not cry. The action is rather instinctive. Animals are looking for a place of solitude and tranquility, as was originally intended in their natural wild environment.
If your cat or dog is looking for a place to go, fussing, veterinarians, of course, will recommend not touching the animal, not trying to calm it down - this will still not be of any use, but also not letting it out, giving them the opportunity to do as they want instincts. A lost, weakened animal can get into trouble. It’s best to take it to the clinic, maybe you need some urgent help, competent veterinarians will be able to figure it out.
Does an animal have a soul?
Not long ago, everyone loved the cartoon “All Dogs Go to Heaven.” Is this so? Many believe that yes, when dying, animals run over the rainbow. And they live eternal life together with the person who has been awarded eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
If you ask an Orthodox clergyman whether animals have a soul, the answer will be as follows: animals do not have an immortal soul. A person continues to live after death, but an animal simply disappears after its death. His soul dissolves. It’s hard to believe and I don’t want to accept this truth. Everyone wants to believe that their beloved Murka, who lived with the kittens, will always be there.
It’s worth repeating, the problem with people is that they humanize animals, try to give them some character traits, predict what a dog, cat or mouse might be thinking about. Television and the attitude towards animals as equal creatures, ingrained in childhood, from cartoons, are partly to blame. All fairy tales, all animated series were built on allegory (via animal world). Then foreign films appeared about dogs, cats, pigs who communicate with each other, make friends, and build some kind of relationship.
And we accept this fiction as reality. Therefore, parting with your favorites causes as much grief as saying goodbye to a loved one. “We are responsible for those we have tamed” is the most correct quote taken from the work of Antoine De Saint-Exupéry “ A little prince" Provide comfortable life, care and love for a small defenseless creature, but do not try to put him on the same level as a spouse, child, mother.
There is a great thread on this topic floating around the internet. instructive story for boys: first you should feed your mother, because she is a girl, then the cat, because he depends on us and cannot feed himself, and only then can men sit down at the table.
How to cope with the pain of losing a pet?
Attachment to a pet will not allow you to calmly endure the separation, especially if the animal has been sick for a long time, sleepless nights in clinics under drips, all my strength was spent, but there was no victory over the disease.
The first thing to do is cry. The pain even from losing a hamster is still very strong. There is no need to keep it to yourself. We are all living people and it is necessary to express our grief.
Under no circumstances should you blame yourself. It happened, it had to happen. Old age cannot be overcome, but the disease simply turned out to be stronger. You gave it your all. It didn't work out. Remember! You did everything you could do, everything that was possible in this situation. This means it will be easier for your pet. Death is still a release from long suffering and pain. But this is more likely for those owners who agreed to euthanasia. If the doctors told you that this is the most humane way out, and you let your pet go, accept it. You did everything not for yourself, for him.
Remove everything that may remind you of your four-legged friend: a bowl, bedding, a squeaker toy. Don't look at them and fall back into melancholy just yet. Abstract yourself.
Many people advise immediately taking a new friend into the family. This is not the most reliable option. First you need to let go of your previous pet from your heart and accept his death. Only then, if you feel that you are ready, then it’s time. Otherwise little puppy or the kitten will only be annoying with its presence, because “he’s not like that.”
A great way to take a little break is to become a volunteer and help homeless animals and animals that are in difficult situations. Food, medicine, care assistance: come to change bedding, help insulate kennels for those dogs that are considered homeless. After some time, you will already be able to take someone for foster care.
Think that your pet is much better now than when he was sick and suffering or when he could no longer chew food due to senile weakness. People are selfish by nature. This is bad for us. To those who remain here on earth due to their weakness and emotionality. And those who are not with us...
They are always alive in our memory.
Many of us are passionately attached to our four-legged friends. Therefore, when an animal dies, the pain of loss devastates the soul and gives rise to painful emotions. Psychologists give recommendations on how to recover from a loss such as the death of a beloved dog or the death of a cat, how to survive it correctly and return to normal life.
Why is it so difficult to cope with the death of a pet?
For the owners four-legged friend it's not just a dog or just a cat. This is the family member who brings joy, love and positivity to life. Caring for a pet makes a person more disciplined and active, helps him cope with troubles more easily, and sometimes even gives meaning to his existence.
Each person reacts to the death of a pet differently. The degree of distress depends on various factors, such as the age and character of a person, the age of an animal, the circumstances of his death. Naturally, the more significant his pet was to the owner, the more pain he experiences. So, if a visually impaired person has lost a guide dog or a lonely person has lost their beloved cat, they also suffer from a loss of independence and emotional support. In the case when the owner is unable to provide expensive treatment to prolong the life of the pet, or decides to euthanasia, a deep sense of guilt is added to the experience of loss.
How to survive the pain of losing a four-legged friend
Suffering for a deceased pet can be no less than for a person, and can lead to depression and nervous disorders. Therefore, you need to know how to survive the death of your beloved dog or cat without consequences for mental and physical health.
Some psychologists believe that the experience of grief goes through several stages: denial, anger, guilt, acceptance, return to normal life. Others see the grieving process as a wave-like process, with feelings waxing and waning.
It is impossible to influence the speed of this process - everyone has their own time limit. Someone returns to full life in a few weeks or months, and for some this period lasts for years. The main thing is to be patient and attentive to yourself and give yourself as much time as it takes to heal your emotional wounds.
How to cope with pain and cope with loss
Shock, sadness and loneliness are normal reactions to the death of an animal. Experiencing and expressing these feelings does not mean being weak or acting strange. On the contrary, ignoring your experiences only worsens the situation and greatly slows down the recovery process. In order for the pain to subside, you need to recognize it and start working on this condition.
What to do
Psychologists give some tips on how to survive the death of a beloved cat, dog or other pet.
- Share your experiences with friends who sympathized with your pet. Give yourself a chance to cry. Don't lock your emotions away; it's important to acknowledge them and let them go.
- Don't let anyone tell you how to behave or feel. This is your pain, and it won't make you feel any better if someone tells you it's time to stop suffering and move on. Don't judge yourself for showing emotions. You have every right to cry, get angry, laugh and be happy when there is a reason for it.
- Talk to others who have recently experienced a similar loss. This could be your friends, family or online communities. People who have lost a pet will take your concerns seriously and give good advice, how to survive the death of a beloved cat or dog.
- Take care of yourself. The stress of loss takes all your energy and strength, so in difficult times you need to be especially attentive to your mental and emotional health. Don't forget about full sleep And proper nutrition, go in for sports - physical exercise produce endorphins, which improve your mood.
- If you have other animals, don't forget about them. If you still have a dog, you need to walk the dog, feed the kitten and play with it. Try to care for them more than before, because they also lost a comrade.
When there is no support
But how can you survive the death of a cat or dog if those around you don’t take your grief seriously? It is quite possible that you will hear: “Did the cat die? Get a new one! Don't judge, because this person may have never had a pet and doesn't understand how much love a furry friend can give. In order not to aggravate your grief, do not enter into a discussion, but simply refuse to communicate with such people for a while or forever.
If you feel like you are left alone with your feelings, you can consult with a specialist on how to cope with the death of a dog or cat. A psychotherapist or psychologist will help normalize your condition and avoid depression.
Older people experience many losses: the death of friends, family members, pets. It is not surprising that such a loss can hurt an older person more than a younger person. It is especially difficult for those people who live alone. For them, this means being left without their only companion, whose care made them feel needed and gave them strength.
There are several ways not to give up and help yourself survive the death of your pet.
Method 1: Find Joy
Try to find a new source of joy in your life. In the past, caring for your four-legged companion took up most of your time, and this gave you the moral support and optimism you needed. Now you can fill the emptiness in your soul by helping homeless animals, find yourself a hobby, and when time will pass, find yourself a new tailed friend.
Method 2: Chat with friends
Maintain relationships with friends. After a loss, it is important not to be alone with difficult thoughts. Invite guests or go to the movies. At the very least, call at least one person once a day. If you don't have people you can call, look for a helpline in the telephone directory. Similar lines with free psychological help are open in many cities.
Method 3: Sports and walks
Play sports and spend time on fresh air. Animals help older people stay healthy and maintain their vitality. Try to maintain your activity level after your pet's death. Sign up for sports section for people of your age - this way you can improve your health and make new friends.
How to help your child cope with the death of a pet
The death of a pet is a traumatic experience for a child at any age. This often becomes a child's first encounter with death. The child realizes for the first time that the people or animals he loves may leave him forever. How you help your child survive this grief largely determines his further development.
Many children adore their four-legged friends and remember them as much as they remember themselves. They may feel angry or blame themselves or their parents for the pet's death.
Some parents try to protect their baby from worries and do not tell him about the death of a kitten or puppy. They hide the truth by saying that the animal ran away or went to sleep. In fact, the child feels that something terrible has happened and is tormented by worry for his friend or feels abandoned. Sooner or later he will still find out the truth, and it will be an even bigger blow for him.
So don't lie to your baby and teach him how to cope with the death of a cat or dog. The experience of grief is priceless, because pain and loss accompany a person throughout his life.
- Allow your child to express his grief. If you don't share his feelings, respect his suffering and give him the opportunity to show his feelings openly without shaming him or blaming him.
- If your child blames himself for the death of his pet, dissuade him. Death raises many questions and fears. It's important to talk to him about this.
- Don't get new animals while your child is grieving over an old pet. Thus, you devalue the feeling of love and affection. Some children do not accept new animals, deciding that this would be a betrayal.
- Tell your child that after death all animals go to the rainbow, where they have a lot of food, toys and friends, and all diseases go away on their own. This story was invented so that children would not be afraid for the fate of their friend after his death, and it would be easier for them to endure grief.
How to decide to euthanize
Many people say: “I understand that he is suffering and no one can help him, but I cannot make such a decision.” To take this difficult step and not blame yourself later, prepare yourself and your loved ones in advance:
- talk to the veterinarian, he will tell you about the euthanasia procedure and help you make a decision;
- put yourself in the place of the animal, try to feel the pain and suffering and understand that you had to put it to sleep so that it would not die long and painfully;
- accept the fact that death is inevitable, and the best thing you can do for your hopelessly ill pet is to alleviate his suffering and help him die without pain;
- say goodbye to your pet, please him with his favorite treat or toy; think about where and how you will spend the last hours so that the animal passes away peacefully and calmly;
- If you euthanize an animal, you should not tell your children what exactly the cat or dog died from. They are not yet ready to understand this and may hate you.
The death of a beloved cat or dog is a tragedy. But you have no choice but to survive it. Remember the joy that a pet brought into your home, and live on with a feeling of gratitude for everything positive emotions, love and devotion.
Losing friends, even if in your entire life they have not been able to say in words how much they value you, who have more than once deprived you not only of sleep, but also of shoes, lunch and other valuables, is always difficult.
But while we're alive, this process cannot be avoided, if it is vital for us to share a home with a purring, chirping or barking household member. After all, the lifespan of most animals is much shorter than ours.
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Psychological stages experienced by an owner who has lost a pet
Grieving about a beloved pet, only a person initiated into the jungle of psychology knows that his heart wound will scar in the process of life according to a certain “scenario”.
Such is the human psyche: with the exception of pathological cases, we react to stimuli according to certain regulations.
Prostration
Upon completion of matters related to providing the pet with last honors, comes period of emotional prostration.
This is expressed in an inhibited reaction to most stimuli, a desire to retire in order to give free rein to tears. Sometimes for this they choose a corner where the pet had his personal space.
After some time, the person calms down, but any reminder of animals (film, cartoon, poster, neighbor’s animal on the balcony-window-in the garden), causes a new waterfall of tears or causes a throat spasm.
Guilt
Thoughts about the animal, memories of walks with him or hours spent on the same sofa in winter evenings, mixed with thinking about options for saving your pet.
A feeling of guilt begins to arise, fueled by well-founded or fictitious arguments that not all available measures were taken to save the life of a friend.
Helpful memory begins to pull out from its bins cases discussed in the media that covered miraculous cure someone there with some newly invented means.
We need to try to stop self-flagellation, since the lion's share of all such unusual stories is simple journalistic "ducks".
Or they used methods that were affordable for millionaires, which the distributors of information modestly kept silent about.
Envy
Other owners of furry pupils cause slight envy, which, in turn, brings to the surface of consciousness a slightly dull pain due to the loss of his.
But there is no desire to pet someone else’s dog or kitten, because this can lead to hysterics while petting the animal’s unsuspecting owner.
Over time, the joy of communicating with other animals will come back- this is what happens to most people.
Depression
If not concomitant diseases aggravated by the experience, apathy and depressed mood will last no more than 2-3 weeks - after all life requires our participation in various fields , and the psyche is gradually restored by internal regulatory systems, responding to new external stimuli.
If there is a history of problems with nervous system, heart, then the death of a beloved animal can become a trigger for long-term deterioration general condition health.
Therefore, if a loved one suffering serious illness a relative's pet died, the rest of the family It is advisable to be especially careful to a person who has lost an animal.
Adoption
Grief gradually transforms into a feeling of light sadness.
Over time it is even possible to feel quiet joy for having a pet in your life, and after it there are a lot of memories left about happy days spent together.
Advice from a psychologist on how to cope better with the loss of a pet
My cat died, I can’t get over his death: what should I do?
Having allowed myself more than once cry, and if there is someone, then speak out, force yourself to work on anything. Whether it’s a complex project at work, some kind of hobby at home, fishing, helping a neighbor choose a place to grow unusual truffles - any activity is suitable.
The more there will be hands full, the faster the heart will let go.
Just don't do something that requires maximum concentration and dangerous to health when attention is distracted.
The most important thing: painting the fence, weeding the beds, cleaning closets and the home library, renovating the apartment.
What else needs to be done to come to terms with the loss:
Has the pain of loss overshadowed all the joys of life for many months?
In such cases it is necessary psychologist support so as not to develop health problems at the level.
How to get rid of the feeling of guilt for euthanasia?
How to get rid of the feeling of guilt for the death of an animal that had to be euthanized? One of the features of the human psyche is the ability to convince yourself of anything.
Your attempts to think differently should be regarded as a manifestation of weakness and a way to whine, hiding behind the death of your pet. All! He is not there, you are, therefore should enjoy life for two.
Still feeling guilty?
Remember how excruciating pain can be and how it can poison every second of existence.
If it was no longer possible to stop it in your pet by any means, then the most merciful decision on your part was precisely the decision to resort to euthanasia modern drug, which does not increase the suffering of the animal.
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