How can I make my 2 1/2 year old stop hurting the kitten?

Question

My 2 1/2 year old daughter keeps hurting and torturing the kitten we just got 2 weeks ago. She has been caught soaking him with water, picking him up by his front paws and pulling, picking him up by the collar, trying to sit on him, yanking his tail, and many other things. She does some of it right in front of us. And we caught her doing the water thing at 4 am!!!!! We have forbiden her to touch him and try to keep them appart as much as possible. We also have a dog and she is GREAT with her. Jealousy maybe although I couldn't see why? How can I stop her? Is this a hint of worser things to come when she is older( you know what I mean). Any help?

Answer 1

Try modelling the appropriate behavior you want your daughter to display toward the kitten. Keep her away from the kitten when she is unsupervised. If she continues to hurt the kitten, use whatever form of punishment works for your family.

Answer 2

A two and half year old child should not be around a kitten. They do not have the manual dexterity to be gentle all of the time. They at some level can understand "not to hurt kitty" but they may not understand that holding kitty to tight is hurting her. They think of it as hugging kitty, which they hug mom and dad right. So why then can't they hug the kitty? No do not shame her, don't spank her really dumb, you are upset that she is hurting the cat and then you turn around and hurt her by spanking her? Mixed messages, bad idea. Now don't get me wrong I have spanked both of my children (nine and three) but not for something like this. It would totally be sending the wrong message. A small child like this can't understand the magnitude of hurt that they are inflicting on the cat. They certainly may understand that they hurt the cat, but they don't know how badly. No you don't have a future serial killer on your hands, she is just trying to find something to have control over and she has found it with this helpless kitten. Take the cat away until it is older and she is older. Ask any child expert and they will tell you that two and a half is to young to be around such a small creature.

Answer 3

That sounds like definitely something to be concerned about in the future.

First of all == make sure there are SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES when she does it. As in, consequences she WILL NOT want to face ever again!!! (This would have been where my parents would have pulled out a belt and blistered me but good. My parents didn't use belts and switches, but did "spank" when warranted -- but THIS would have been THE BIG ONE situation so that I would NEVER EVER EVER think of doing it again and understand that was EXTREMELY BAD!!!)

Why was she up at 4 in the morning by herself??? That's dangerous in and of itself.

It may just be that she doesn't know better, but the kitten cannot defend itself. She will have to be taught HOW to handle it, and that it's a delicate baby that can be hurt easily -- and be supervised at ALL TIMES as a 2.5 year old should be, and punished in whatever way you advocate -- but SERIOUS enough to take effect -- to ensure that she understands there are bad ramifications to hurting animals. And if she won't stop, get her to a doctor that specialized in behavior disorders ASAP.

Answer 4

Shame her. Tell her that the kitty loves her & she makes it sad when she's mean to it. "poor kitty" & do this with your best sad face. If she still keeps it up try smaking her hand everytime shes mean to the kitty & tell her no when you do & use a firm voice. She has to know that there are consequences for her actions & a simple sting of the hand can & a lower tone to your voice can make her think..."now if i hurt kitty then my hand is gonna sting"...trust me...she will stop...it may take several times but eventually she'll think it's just not fun anymore to pick on the cat. And by doing this youre not being mean to your child. I think parents are mean to their children if they don't try to teach them how to act appropriately. Too many parents think that by disciplining a child they are in turn being mean to that child when in fact it is the parents who are being mean by not helping their kids to learn of consequences & that some things aren't acceptable or appropriate. Every child is different therefore different forms of discipline apply to each child. Keep trying you'll find what works for your child. And don't forget when she does good with the kitty...praise praise praise her!! :-)...Raising and teaching a child is hard but isn't it so worth it. Enjoy every minute. God bless.

Answer 5

Find a way to keep them split up and only let her see the kitten with supervision. I have a 2 year old and a 9 year old cat and half of my house is put up with tall gates so my son can't climb over them and the cat has the other half. It works well for me.

Answer 6

punish her. who cares how old she is. if you told her once don't tell her agian. punish her. example: ground her for a week(yes even if she is 2 there are ways she will understand), spank her, take away her things, threaten to get rid of the dog(just act like you're taking him to the pound but don't really do it, that would be so mean), leave the dog outside and the cat inside(bring him in when she goes to sleep). don't be a mushy gushy parent that lets her get away with everything. this is animal cruelty. be a good parent that punishes there child when the time is right and right now it's time.

Answer 7

Keep her away from the kitten. The poor thing must be traumatized...that kitten...not your daughter. If she disobeys..punish her for her bad behavior. She probably doesn't abuse the dog because of it's size and it's reaction to such treatment. Keep in mind when the kitten matures, it may become aggressive towards your daughter.

Answer 8

what is doing up a 4am torturing a kitten????. She needs a good spanking. And if she keeps this up you will a one very mean cat on your hands

Answer 9

When you catch her doing that spank that child and explain why she is getting the spanking! Don't go overboard with it.

Answer 10

my daughter tortures our dog . i spank her tell her to tell the dog sorry and that she loves him then she gets put in time out........... all litlle kids hurt animals they love a little to hard.