Tricky. Our chooks just had to be put down and I really wanted to be straight with 21 mnth old DD but in the end realised that there was nothing that she would really be able to grasp. I was also concerned that she might make the leap that if you get too sick (she knew they were sick) then you go to the doctor and don't come back.

I'm not sure about the understanding of a 2.5 yr old. If I wanted to be frank and at least try to explain death, I'd maybe say that he got so hurt that he died, and that means that even though his body is still here, that the bit inside that makes him feel happy or sad or hungry or sleepy is gone. ???

Never had to do this with really little ones - very keen to hear what others have to say.