Majorly fucked up today. I told my 4YO that pets don't last forever. I have no idea what possessed me - partly because I think our older cat doesn't have too much longer left and in my mind I think I was trying to prepare him, but now I feel like I'm just making him suffer twice and he will be worried/anxious about it until it happens, whenever that may be. He was so upset when he realised, then went out for the afternoon and seemed ok, and then understandably unsettled at bedtime and still isn't asleep (very unlike him). I feel like I've actually traumatised him.
What do I do?! I'm tempted to tell him that it won't necessarily happen to them (we have two cats and he keeps saying he doesn't want them to die, even though we've said it won't happen for ages). But that almost feels like the wrong to do. But I've already done the wrong thing by telling him. Fuck.
Please be gentle, I'm so annoyed at myself 😔