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My 1 year old son killed his kitten

Hello,
My son is 18 months and he killed his kitten while playing.... I don't think he meant to do that maybe just playing to rough.
Should I take him to a psychologist...??? Please help....


THANK YOU!!!!
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Avatar universal
My son killed his guinea pig today, my son is almost 4 years old and is not permitted to handle his pet without supervision, but whilst my partner was changing our younger son, he went into the room where he was kept and took him out of his cage, when my partner returned, the pet was dead in his open cage and my son was trying to wake him up.

As much as we were all upsert by this, judging by my son's reaction, I do not believe for a minute this was a premeditated action, or that it is some precurser to his adult mental state.

These sad things happen and we are going to try and use it to broach the difficult subject of death and why he should always be careful when handling small animals, we have decided it is prudent to leave it a little while before getting another pet as he is obviously too young to understand how to interact properly with them.

We are going to have a burial in the garden tonight and I just hope he learns from this and isn't too hard on himself, the poor lad is beside himself and is really struggling to accept what has happened, he even asked if we could rush him to hospital and get a doctor to make him better.
Helpful - 0
973741 tn?1342342773
Oh,  and I just wanted to add as I am a serious animal lover----  we are the neighborhood greeting party to all pets around us.  We visit them in their yards and they stop by ours.  I've taught my kids how to approach a dog or cat, how to pet them, how to talk to them, how to walk them (we have walked neighbors' dogs for fun), how to feed them (we've volunteered for this too).  We even cleaned a rabbitt cage for a neighbor (okay---- that was NOT fun).  So you can expose your kids to animals and help them appreciate the beauty of them and learn to nurture them properly while waiting to have one live in your own home.  My kids are like me------  they see an animal and they get all mushy inside!
Helpful - 0
973741 tn?1342342773
I think the issue with puppies and kittens is that they are fragile and when mixed with a young child that may innocently play too rough----  it is not a good  mix.  The same goes with a newborn baby.  If left alone with a toddler sibling, they could accidentally get hurt.  Many breeders in the US will not sell a puppy to families with children under the age of 6 for this reason.  I think it is wise personally.  We had a dog when our children were born.  Our family dog (my first baby) died when my youngest was one at age 17.  While I wanted to get another one, I knew that it would be better to wait until my boys were in a better place to deal with a puppy.  As I will have a 6 and 5 year old soon-----  I am excited to be in the market for another dog in the not too distant future  (forget getting the dog for the kids-----  this is for ME!!!!)  But waiting was right as my kids could have easily hurt a puppy or kitten a couple of years ago.  

It isn't prohibiting pets, it is being realistic about what can happen.  If you can't supervise all the time, then a young pet is not wise.  My opinion.
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Avatar universal
Hi - I am a UK anthrozoologist. I recommend you contact the American Humane Association in Denver. They will be able to give you sound advice that will help your son.

Your son may benefit from being taught how to nurture - sp please contact AHA, rather then prohibiting pets.
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
Good for you, he will be okay ....it does sound like one of those nasty things that happen .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you everyone for the response... I won't allow my son to have any pets until he is older enough to understand and able
to care for animals.
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
Children have to be taught by the parents how to behave with animals no one should leave a child unsupervised with a small animal, its not the child s.. fault ..Pets are not toys for entertainment..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi i used to have a kitten when my son was about that age and he used to pull its tail pick it up by the tail and chuck it off things.i told him it was very naughty and asked if he wanted sum1 to pick him up and through him and he sed no so i sed well dont do it to animals,he stoped after a while but had  to get rid of the kitten as it turned nasty.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have two little boys, a three year old and a 14 month old.  I have three cats, I had to teach both how to pet the cats since they were three months old, my cats are all much older.  I would sit with them one on one, and I also made it clear since they can remember not to pull the cats tail.  They both are very good and playful with their cat.  Again, my cats are much older, as for a kitten I would recommend that you wait until he is a little older to have another pet especially if he was playing rough with the kitten. I feel bad for the little kitten and your son, I am sure he did not mean to do this.  I do think pets are great for children.  Good Luck and I wish you little the very best.
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Avatar universal
It is to soon to really give a child that age a pet without your supervision. I wouldn't worry about the child at this age he wont even remember it. Sorry to hear the pet died but there is no reason to think it was an act of violence at this age
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
Perhaps it was not a good idea to allow a child that age to have an innocent animal to play with , very sad ............
Helpful - 0
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