Whether or not a child should be present during the euthanasia of a pet will depend on the maturity of the child. Many experts think about 8 years old is old enough. For most people, the best strategy is to educate the child about what will happen and give them the choice of whether or not to attend. Of course, you know your child better than anyone so you will be able to tell if the child understands what will happen and is ready to handle it. If you have ever been through euthanasia you know that it really isn’t scary. In fact, it can be quite peaceful. It is important, however, that the adults who will be there will be calm. Consider, having a conversation with your veterinarian about whether or not to include your child. He or she can give you a lot of information on what the experience will be like and help you understand what you should consider in making your decision.