how to address death of a pet with 3 yo

My mom's cat just passed away, and we'll be going to her house for xmas this year.

What do I say to my 3 yo DS when he asks where the cat is? I'm not sure i'm ready to tackle death with him yet!

how to address death of a pet with 3 yo

I would say he ran away. I wouldn't start this when so many questions will be asked.

Re: how to address death of a pet with 3 yo

Maybe not the best solution but my dog was very sick going to the vet a lot then Died when my girls were 3. I told them he had to stay at the dds now because he was so sick slowly over the past year we have started to tell them he is with Jesus when they ask about him. I don't think they really get any of it
My sil told my 7/8 yr old niece he went to a farm cause he was old and sick

Re: how to address death of a pet with 3 yo

We just told my 2 year old that our dog died after living a very long and wonderful life. I don't think he really grasps the concept obviously but if someone asks about the dog he says he died and that we all miss him very much. It was hard initially because I would cry whenever he would say Limbus (our dog) died. I think he would say it often to get the reaction out of me but again I don't think he gets the concept yet. I just felt odd telling him he went to a farm, or to someone else's house etc but I'm sure that it totally reasonable as well at that age. I think by 6-7 years old most kids will pick up on the fact that a pet passed away or got old and sick so at that point it is probably better to talk to them about it.

Re: how to address death of a pet with 3 yo

I would say very sick and in the hospital. I would never say ran away, that's even scarier to think your pet is out there lost and lonely, wondering where the pet is. Odds are your DC may not keep asking at this age if you just say very sick and at the doctors for cats.

Re: how to address death of a pet with 3 yo

http://www.americanhumane.org/interaction/programs/humane-education/pet-loss/age-based-coping-tips.html

Re: how to address death of a pet with 3 yo

Re: how to address death of a pet with 3 yo

My MIL's cat recently died. We didn't tell DD (3.5 at the time) at first but she eventually asked where he was. We just said that he wasn't feeling very well so he went to heaven to get better (we've mentioned heaven to her before and she always just accepted that answer). This time she asked if he would be coming back from heaven. I said no, not usually. She was actually ok with it -- no tears. But I will say that now she does ask about heaven and asks if our dog and certain family members (myself included) are going to go to heaven. I tell her eventually everyone goes to heaven, but not for a very, very long time (even if that's not always true).

Re: how to address death of a pet with 3 yo