My daughter saw my cat injured and is now upset can anyone help?

Question

Okay today my cat had its leg ran over and the wound was very bloody and bones were exposed. My 2 year old daughter saw the cats wound and is freaked out by it. The vet took the cat into emergency surgery and is amputating the leg. My question is my daughter is crying and is very upset by this. She keeps saying she has a "boo-boo" on her leg too. she has been very i dont want to say clingy but she has been very dependant today. It breaks my heart... but how do we try and reassure her that everything is going to be ok and if anyone out here knows how do you explain the cats leg being missing when the cat comes home in a day or 2?


This is my baby girl and i love her so any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

The worse I've ever had to face with a child is when my sister cut her fingers to the bone with an electric hedge clipper and my four year old nephew saw this. He was hurt, afraid, and angry all at the same time. We both tried to comfort him as best as possible, trying to remain calm and explain that while it was bad that she would get better after some time.

Your daughter is half that age which makes it harder. Obviously she is empathizing with the cat or trying to, which is why she says she has a boo-boo on her leg, too. All you can do is continue to reassure her and allow her to see the cat recover from what happened. Don't keep her from the cat. Letting her see it slowly recover will help her to recover herself and to connect with the cat as it will be now, with one leg missing.

You can try to tell her that usually the doctor would just fix the leg so that it would be all better, but sometimes the hurt is too much and the leg needs to be taken away. Since you know your daughter better than I, then perhaps you can find the best way to explain this to her. Don't make it long winded though, just something simple. If she asks questions, then just add a little more of an explanation each time.

Answer 2

I think being completely honest with her is probably the best way to handle this situation. My daughter witnessed a similar situation when she was 4. She was visiting her cousins when she saw their dog get run over by a car. Unfortunately it was a horrible scene because the dog did not die instantly. :( When she got home she told me all about it, and was very upset. In some ways I think it can be a learning experience. I told her that that's what can happen when you go out in the street without help. Now she knows that Mom wasn't just nagging when she said "Cars can kill you". At 2 your daughter may be able to put that together too, or at least get some idea of the danger--when the cat gets home she'll have a constant reminder of what cars can do. I would use your chance to tell her about the dangers, but also assure her that once the cat is out of bandages the leg won't be hurting anymore, and that the cat will be okay. Also tell her that if she holds someone's hand while crossing the street she won't get hurt.

Answer 3

Oh wow. I remember when I was a little girl like that.

The same thing happened to me. My mother would always just hug me and say, "It'll be okay. Look, the cat is just fine! He's happy and playing like all the other kitties! So, don't treat him badly or ignore him because you'll hurt his feelings." Then tell her to go pet him and make him feel good. = ]

Ask for right now...this won't scar your child for life. Explain to her that everyone get's a boo-boo, even animals! But in the end they're okay, and the doctor fixed him up so he's okay.
She's only clingy because she's a bit scared..it's something she's never seen before. Just comfort her and reasure her. Don't let her stay too close all the time though, tell her it's okay and then give her space. She needs to learn life lessons. Be the parent and take control. You can do it!

I hope I helped some. = ]

Answer 4

You love your daughter and don't wish her to be traumatised by this and this is certainly understandable. Allow her to grasp this in her own way. Pretending to have a boo boo on her leg is her way of learning what has happened. Comfort her when she is clingy for short periods, show her you understand that she is upset by your words, cuddle her and then redirect her to something she enjoys. Continually do this and she will eventually stop being so clingy. It is through conforting and acceptance of their feelings that children learn trust and a sense of security and ultimately resilience. Explain briefly that Doctor had to fix the cat's leg to make it better and now he has 3 legs but that he is all better now. Do this in a matter of fact way (i.e. not emotionally) so that way your daughter picks up the feeling that you are okay with all this. You are her role model so if you are okay - she will be too. As days go on - Just keep reassuring her the cat is fine. Allow her to cuddle it with you by her side. Good luck

Answer 5

merely supply her numerous reassurance. Seeing and understanding soreness/harm/loss of life is frightening. Be slightly open together with her, she observed the cat became into injured and which you have been disillusioned. she would be able to share your thoughts. enable her understand that kitty is harm, however the healthcare professional's are fixing him. possibly you will possibly need to maintain the cat indoors now. tell your daughter while you're doing that. tell her which you will shop kitty risk-free and for sure, you will consistently shop your daughter risk-free. i think of a thank you to shield her "boo boo" is to have her instruct you the place that's and kiss it and tickle her till she laughs, if that's some thing that could desire to artwork for you 2. i'm so sorry with reference to the cat and the situation. possibly attempt a sparkling toy cat and do away with the leg. She won't pass over a sparkling toy if she rejects it. it may supply you some perception as to what her reaction to kitty's loss would be. Be confident on your helpful on your responses to her. She'll get be high quality, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that it would be an frightening time for all of you.

Answer 6

You are worried about when your cat come home with 3 legs, right? I hope this does not sound morbid, but you could buy a beanie baby or a stuffed animal that looks like your cat and take one of the legs off and sew it together and let your daughter see the stuffed animal with 3 legs. Later, introduce the real cat with 3 legs

Answer 7

Poor thing. My son is 3 and if someone is sick or injured (Even if he didn't see the injury) he will pretend to have the same symptoms. It is normal for a toddler to do that. When the cat comes home tell her that the cat's "Boo-boo" had been fixed. When she says her leg hurts kiss her bboo-boo and tell her it is all better. That usually works with my son.