Well my friends got a kitten for their 3 year old daughter for christmas. They were trying to be nice, but it seemed like a bad idea from the start... children and kittens as cute as they look dont really mix...
Well now the kitten "bites and scratches" (hmmm surprise surprise...) and i am not sure if they mean normal kitten playful behavior, or if they mean that the kitten has grown agressive due to the child being a little too rough with him.
They are not sure what they should do about it. What do you think they should do, give the kitten back to the humane society or keep it and try to work through their problems with it possibly (though i did not get the details) being afraid of their kid? I am just trying to help them here...
2007-03-04 17:03:56 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
The cat is obviously being mistreated , if unintentionally. They should return the cat or find another home for it.
2007-03-04 17:07:41 · answer #1 · answered by Pichi 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sadly, your friends were acting like 3 year olds themselves when they got a kitten as a Christmas gift and for a 3 year old. I have been around cats and kittens since the day I was born however and like/ love them more than most people. The child needs the training more than the kitten at this age. IF they are to keep it, play time must be supervised. The child is very young to be taught things like how to pet easily or to read the body language of a riled kitten that needs to be left alone. Kittens just naturally play fight together. It has no idea it isn't supposed to bite or scratch. All too often, since crazy kitten play is adorable, the rough housing is encouraged until the owner is tired or wants it to stop and then has no clue why it won't Quiet times for the kitten are a must too. There is way too much to tell you in this space but it is great you are trying to help your freinda and the kitten. So, pick up a book at the library or pet store or even search on line for free info on how to raise a kitten with children. It is hard work and unless they are prepared to invest some time in it, IMO, it would be best the kitten go back. Have them MAKE IT CLEAR that it is NOT the kitten's fault, but the fact they got it for a child way too young, or it could hurt it's chances for adoption. Kindly remind them that kittens or puppies are not toys for children- of any age. Good luck and I will say a prayer for the kitten!
2007-03-04 18:11:42 · answer #2 · answered by 8 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As cute as it may seem, getting a pet for a young child is not a good idea. Cats and kittens are not toys nor should they be presented to a child in such a fashion. Since you think your friends are having issues enough for you to step in and try to help then the problem is probably already out of control. If the kitten is handled too roughly for too long, the cat will never be truly trusting with people and may end up not being adoptable again. The toddler could kill or hurt the kitten really bad. If the child has been scratched up by the cat then the child is not being supervised with the animal. This is a big NO NO and borders on child neglect! A kitten can easily scratch the face/eyes of a child and cause permanent damage to the child. It is good for you to step in and be concerned. If your friends won't take that cat back to Humane Society then please do it for them!!!
2007-03-04 17:12:35 · answer #3 · answered by msociety 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I just advised someone I work with to get her 8 yrs old daughter a full grown cat. Full grown cats will run from a child, much faster than a kitten.
That kitten is just playing, and the child, for whatever reason, does not play with the kitten with strings and other toys that would keep the cat away from it's flesh.
I have a kitten, 6 months old, and as I have stated in other posts she can be quite mean. But I had a friend over with a 2 year old, and my sister with her twin 19 month olds. In both cases I gave them something long to play with the kitten. And in both cases (one over three days long) there was no injury to the child, no scratch, no bite, nothing. In both cases when my kitten was tired, she left the room to a safe haven. Safe havens are important to cats. They need their own lions dens basically.
My parents have always had a kitten in the house, as long as I can remember, and for the most part, I have to say, this is on the parents, myself and my sisters were never hurt by a cat/kitten. You're gonna need to rescue that cat.
2007-03-04 20:27:20 · answer #4 · answered by zeebarista 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why aren't the parents teaching this child how to handle this kitten? The kid doesn't know how to be nice and they are letting her get away with this. It takes a lot of time, and patience to teach a child how to handle animals. And it takes a lot of time and patience to teach a kitten the do's and dont's of life as well. If this kid keeps on hurting animals now, she will continue to do this for the rest of her life. My X husband used to treat animals very mean when he was a kid. He killed a kitten that his mother was taking care of for some lady she knew. And, she let him get away with it! I had cats and dogs the whole time I was married to him. And, he abused them all. I have 2 sons, both in their late 20's now. I raised them alone since they were 2 and 4 years old. I always had cats in my house while they were growing up. I took the time out to teach them how to treat animals. They love cats and dogs and have them as pets now in their homes. A child is never "too young" to have a pet. It takes parents that will take the time out to teach the child how to treat and care for animals. What is wrong with this child's parents? Are they really with it, reality check? If the parents can't teach this child how to treat this kitten. I'd say have them to bring it back to the shelter.
2007-03-04 17:19:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm with you...i think it was a ridiculous idea from the start. Kittens will 'scratch and bite'. That's how they play, learn, explore. If they didn't even do any research prior to getting this animal, they need to do the right thing now and give it back. If it's still young it may have a fighting chance at getting another home quickly.
C'mon people. Animals are NOT presents. They are lifetime committments, just like your children!!
2007-03-04 17:14:29 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I rescue cats and will not adopt out one to people that have kids under 5 for that reason. Especially if it is a gift. The kitten would be better in a different home. It would be so cool if you took it in and gave it a good home. It will need alot of patience and understanding now that it has been traumatized by the kids.
2007-03-05 01:27:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Man, people are so stupid when it comes to pets and their kids!!
They clearly don't know how to have a pet. They should NOT take it to the humane society, but put an ad for it to give it away to someone else. The newspaper doesn't charge if you're giving away an animal for free. They can also use www.craigslist.org.
They need to decide soon - the older the cat gets, the harder it will be for them to find it a new home.
2007-03-04 17:44:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The kitten needs love and compassion and children just don't have the understanding at that young of an age.
If I were you I would stay out of it, let them decide, and speak up if they wanted to give the kitten away - "I'll take it," type thing
2007-03-04 17:08:08 · answer #9 · answered by Harmon 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
A three year old is too young for a kitten or pet. This lady needs to put them up for adoption. She isnt capiable of seeing after it and her daughter at the same time. Wish i had it. I love my cats.
2007-03-04 17:34:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
that is sad so many people get kittens and puppies and then realize they dont want them cause they either get too big or scratch well most little kids are not good with kittens
i know we are battleing that one now
but we got one for our older daughter not the youngest one
2007-03-04 18:16:40 · answer #11 · answered by jennieh_79 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋