Minx had kittens five and a half weeks ago, there are four of them and I'm keeping one. The problem is that my carer (who is also taking one) has a two and a half year old who seems to think it's funny to torture the kittens. She pulls their fur, hits the areas they're sleeping, stomps on their tails and generally scares them so that they hide in a corner and hiss at her until one of us rescues them. We tell her no and she just laughs, we pulls her away from the kittens and she has a temper tantrum, moves onto something else and as soon as our backs are turned goes back to the kittens..they're too scared to defend themselves so it's not like they swipe out at her to let her know they don't like it. Any advice will be greatly apopreciated as we're worried as to how she'll react to having one in her home - though hopefully by that stage, he'll defend himself.
Sensible answers only please.
Thanks for your help.
2007-07-02 07:52:25 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
First off, they are my kittens and the mother of the child does care that she is doing this. She disiplines her when she sees her attacking the kittens, but the child won't listen, she just does it again. They already have a cat called Damien who gets along fine with Darla, she knows not to attack him in anyway because he'll swipe her with his claw, same goes for the cat that her babysitter has, she tried it on him and he clawed her, same goes for my two adult cats, it's just the kittens who seem helpless against her.
2007-07-02 08:04:43 · update #1
They don't have the kitten yet because he's too young to leave his mother and Darla leaves the older cats alone, I think she is just jealous of the attention the kittens get.
When we see her attacking a kitten, we say "no" and smack her if her behaviour warrents it, and explain to her that they are "just babies", but it doesn't seem to register in her mind and she just laughs...I don't want her to take the kitten if Darla continues like this because like people have said, it will change his personality and he is so gentle and loving at the moment, I'm just hoping that he'll swipe at her and she'll stop doing it and learn the same way she learnt with other cats....
2007-07-02 08:09:50 · update #2
There's not a lot you can do really you are doing everything you can and i think you are doing a great job she is little and i agree with what you are doing reprimanding her she will get bored soon enough it's a novelty at the moment that will soon ware off, before she comes again you are best to put mum and kittens away from her so she doesn't see them and isn't able to get to them, that's the best for the babies anyway, wherever you put them just take their litter tray and food with them also take their bedding i.e. the blanket they and mum have been sleeping on so they stay with the smell they know, there isn't a lot else you can do you are doing a good job don't listen to others your doing nothing wrong, and when the kitten is old enough to go to it's new home it will be fine it will be clever enough and strong enough to do a runner and like i say once she sees it all of the time the novelty will ware off : )
2007-07-02 08:19:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
My sister has a child that is almost 2 years old... they call it 'terrible twos' for a reason!
My guess is that the toddler has realised she gets attention from you and her mother when she torments the kittens. Yes, it's negative attention, but kid's don't care about that, as long as they are getting some attention.
I have two suggestions:
1. Put 3 kittens in a separate room, and only have the one kitten out. Get your carer and the toddler to visit. Try to show her how to care for the kitten, and give her praise when she is gentle with him. If she starts being rough with the kitten, take him away and ignore the toddler. Sorry, but I think that smacking her only makes her think that she is allowed to smack too! If you ignore her, she won't be getting any attention whatsoever.
2. You are going to have to find another home for the kitten if you think this will be a problem. It's not about what you or the carer want, it's about what's best for the little guy. He shouldn't go to his new home until he's 12 weeks old anyway. Usually, I'd say from 8 weeks, but when there's other pets or small children and the kitten needs to defend itself, definitely wait until he is 12 weeks old.
Personally, I wouldn't give the kitten to your carer. Find someone else, or, seeing as you let your cat have kittens in the first place, keep them all!!!
Is Minx spayed now? Do you have homes ready for the other kittens?
2007-07-02 10:52:19 · answer #2 · answered by Sparklepop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry.. but I don't understand what a carer is, so I'm not sure that I get the question.
However, a two yr old does not understand or have ability to understand the consequences of her behavior. She is also not accountable. To respect others/animals is a learned behavior of which she has yet to understand. Thus, her torturous behavior is not necessarily intentional. This is why children and animals should not be left alone or unmonitored.
The child is merely toughing, experimenting, and reacting to her sensory responses, hence her laughter. I would not recommend a kitten at this age. Introduction yes, permanent living arrangement, no.
P.s.
I can't believe that we have so called "top contributors" out there who are giving some of the advise I'm reading. Although animal cruelty can be an indicator of other problems, a two yrs old does not have a psy. problem, just because they don't understand that they're handing an animal incorrectly or are inexperienced. This is the reason children aren't charged w/crimes prior to certain ages/maturity levels. And..violence begets violence.
2007-07-02 08:13:25 · answer #3 · answered by lorianne 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Difficult one, that. Your carer should have more care for the kittens welfare and not have one. The child will scare the cat so badly it will always be nervous. Ask her not to have one this time, wait until the child is old enough to understand. At that age it's normal for kids to enjoy pain in others. The other option is to introduce the child to some cats that will defend themselves, but this will get the child injured. Don't let her have one, is my advice. After all, they're your kittens
2007-07-02 07:58:34 · answer #4 · answered by florayg 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'de say take like a stuffed kitten ( a teddy bear) and show darla how to care for a kitten. if that still doesn't work i would try bribeing her (i no it doesnt sound nice but it works sumtimes) tell her for each day she goes with out being mean to the kitties she will get a surprize Remind her throughout the day though becuase young kids tend to forget thngs ike that easily. If that still doesn't work. I would sensibly tell ur carer that u dont think getting such a little kitten is a very good idea with darla.
2007-07-02 08:30:55 · answer #5 · answered by officialozmbie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I certainly wouldn't let a kitten of mine go to a home with a child like that in it.
Seeing as you are not in a position to discipline the child, although she should be sent to the naughty step every time she does it at the very least, maybe the best thing would be to confine the child to a small part of your home, and keep the kittens in the other part.
I don't think the kitten will be able do defend itself against a child that is only getting bigger and stronger every day.
2007-07-02 07:58:08 · answer #6 · answered by proud walker 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'd not be letting her take one of the kittens if her daughter is like that. Hoping the kitten will be able to defend itself is not a good idea......If she's mean it will bite or scratch her and will turn into a nasty pet that hates kids.........she needs to be kept away from all of the kittens if she can not be gentle as they too will end up being bad pets.. Imagine how you'd feel if another family who takes a kitten have their child attacked because the kitten assumes all children are nasty........
This little girl needs to be shown how to be gentle and told "they are only babies"
2007-07-02 08:03:13 · answer #7 · answered by Fluffy Cheryl♥ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First off, I am not a mother, but I have had a ton of experience nannying and babysitting.
Most children of her age are jealous and are extremely independent. You might first try to understand why she is attacking the kittens, are they getting more attention than she is? If not, it may seem so to her.
Secondly, involve her in the nurturing aspects of taking care of the kittens, feeding, rubbing gently (be a positive example).
Show her that the kittens are for companionship rather than competitiveness.
Hope this helps.
Good luck!
2007-07-02 07:57:38 · answer #8 · answered by Allison P 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
tell her sturnley "no" and smack her leg, then shel associate that with being cruel to cats. Don't think "she doesnt mean any harm etc" because even though she probably is just playing she;s got to learn when you mean no, you mean no, no matter what its to do with.If that doesnt work report the carer to the RSPCA or tell them to get rid of the cat, they have a responsability to look after that cat.
then its simple, keep the kitten untill the kitten is bigger and she is old enough to understand its cruel.
2007-07-02 07:59:28 · answer #9 · answered by emnie 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Show her with one of her dolls or teddies how to treat the kittens, make her believe they are little babies that need to be taken care of.
Might be hard to teach a 2 year old this but if you keep on about how gentle the kittens are she might catch on.
2007-07-02 07:56:19 · answer #10 · answered by heather d 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋