Should you allow other people's children to torture your pets and refrain form criticizing them?

Question

Sometimes they run after the cats or try to stick things through the bars of the parrot's cage. When it happens, sometimes the parents are furious with me for scolding their kids or telling them not to do it. But they don't even bother to look after their own kids much when they come for a visit. What is wrong with these people?

All good advice so far. The problem is that they are my husband's relatives, so I can't not invite them, and he won't speak to them about it. I have locked the kitties up before, especially when they were younger. The parrot is not usually aggressive to anyone or to the cats when she is in her cage, so it's really unfair.
These people had two small birds, but now they gave them away to their friends because "they were too noisy." I doubt that, and I'm about 95% sure that it was because their son was traumatizing the birds. He's sneaky and capricious. But I will lock all the animals up next time in our bedroom. Even my 5 year old granddaughter has better sense.

Answer 1

It is your duty and responsibility to care for the animals that you have taken in. Those children are being cruel and unruly and if their parents aren't intelligent enough to say something, you sure as hell better be. Animals depend on us 100 percent for their comfort, safety and well being. Don't let those critters down and you could use this time of scolding the children to teach them how to love and respect animals by allowing them to look into the eyes of your pets and see that there are feelings and a soul inside there.

Answer 2

Absolutely not!!! Portect your pets. If a child is doing something to your pet that is wrong, don't yell at the child. This child may not have been taught how to deal with animals. Try the following:

Take the child to the animal and show the child how to pet the animal. Explain not to chase it, hit it, yell at it. The child needs to know that the animal can be hurt just like them. Ask the child what happens when someone hits them (the child) and let them understand that animals hurt, and get scared too.

This is a 2 way street. If this does not work, politely tell the child they can no longer play or see the animals. Remove your animals. Actually, you should crate the kids and let the animals loose (not really, but it sounds good).

Answer 3

I hate when parents act like that! Try telling the kids nicely to stop like by saying something like "honey, please don't do that it scares/hurts that animal". If they are sticking sticks in the parrot's cage (i have this problem too) walk up to the kid and say, "can I please have that stick? I don't think that bird likes that very much" If this doesn't work, just move the cage right into a room that can be locked, and do it right in front of the kid, if he whines about it tell him that it hurts/scares the bird when he does that and that he can play with the bird later if he promises to be nice to it, keep doing this until the kid stops. I hope this helps, good luck!

Answer 4

I totally understand. My mum's relatives do that too. They can be totally agressive with my pet bunnies. They scream at them. And my parents dont realise that this can be real traumatizing for my rabbits,who are weak hearted creatures. The next time they come over, i will have a stick in my hand so that i can beat da s*it out of those lil' assholes. Screw their parents. Tell them u do not wanna have unruly kids messing up ur place. This is ur house and ur pets! Or unleash a huge dog on those kids. Now that will do.

Answer 5

No you need to say something before one of your pets does get injured.They are your pets and your house.. Find them some other things to do to keep them occupied because they probably do it out of boredom not right. Give them activities like ball activities or find a good video to watch.That way you all know what they are doing. Just keep the animals safely locked away for the duration of the visit.

Answer 6

Your pets are your family members and you have not only an obligation to protect them, but the right to do so regardless of who the offender is. Your pets live there, THEY don't. Parents who don't make their children behave, especially when they are at someone else's house are rude, inconsiderate and basically are part of the greater problem with kids these days. I have asked people to leave before because one of their kids was mean to one of my cats, I've been sued because one of my former friend's brats was bitten by one of my kitties after being told over and over and over to "LEAVE HIM ALONE OR HE WILL BITE YOU!" (The judge dismissed everything against me, btw.) And I don't feel I should have to lock my furry kids up just because some brat won't behave. I will close them in another room when someones baby is there, or a child is allergic or scared of them, but if the brat is being mean to my kitties, I politely ask them to leave.

Answer 7

HECK NO! If the parents won't stop the abuse themselves, you have EVERY RIGHT to speak up! Make it clear to the parents that it's unacceptable behavior and you won't tolerate it in your house -and if they don't like that, then future visits can be at the other persons' house or not at all.

Some people just don't get it- it's a shame they are teaching their kids the same thing.

Answer 8

You are the only protector these animals have. They are your responsibility.

You can put the cats and the parrot in a locked room when you have visitors. Or, you should only invite those that know proper behavior towards animals and how much they mean to you.

Answer 9

you should tell your relatives that it is not ok to have their children fooling around with the animals since it could hurt the poor animal, and also that if the kids want to touch or hold the animal that they should always ask permission from YOu, since after all it is your animals. So deffinately don't let other people's children play with your pets unless they asked you and you are supervising them so both the pet or the kids don't get hurt.

Answer 10

they think their child. is just a little precious angel no matter what they do. if they do it again instead do nothing let the cat scratch them or the parrot bite them. Tall the parents "Well last time u were furious when i told them not to do it." it is the parents own fault. They r ur pets u know what ur doing.