Help.. How to break the news of cat’s death to my little girl

[BarbaraVineFan]

Our elderly cat has just died unexpectedly- I heard a noise from the living room where he had been sleeping and found him lying on the floor and he took his last breaths in my arms :( I guess he maybe had a heart attack or stroke.

My DD (whose 7th birthday is on Thurs) loved him so much. I don’t know how to handle it with her in the morning.

at the moment I have put him into a box and he is curled up like he is sleeping. But I don’t know if I should let her see him or not.

any advice welcome. I’m in shock and really sad. he was such a lovely boy.

Sorry to hear about your lovely cat. At least he passed away being held by someone who loved him.

My parents had both of their cats cremated and put them in plant pots with a rose. Maybe something like that would work for you if you’re renting and might move in the future.

Thanks everyone. We have said goodbye to him now. My daughter wanted to see and stroke him, and also made him a picture and message to put in the box when we gave him to the vet for cremation. A kind friend has also offered to make us a keepsake figurine incorporating some of his fur, so we have chosen not to have his ashes back. I am going to get some framed pictures of him too, one for the living room and one for my dd’s bedroom.
i really appreciate all your support and advice.

I was about her age when our first cat died. I was crying so hard i couldn't eat my dinner. She was buried before I got home. I would have liked to have seen her to say goodbye. Give her the option, she might not want to see him. Losing a pet is hard, there's no way of making my easier but it is an experience that has to happen. I think it teaches children to cope with loss before it happens to a human loved one.