my 4yr old killed our cat

[Dylansdad4905]

I woke up this morning to find our cat missing. I walked around calling for him and my son said "dont look in the cooler". I immediatley walked outside on the backporch and opened the cooler to find our cat dead. I have no clue what to do now. I sat him down with me and the wife and talked to him about his behavior and what he had done. He was not upset about the death of the cat as much as when i told him we were not going to Adventure Island, a local water park, and i was not taking him out on the boat fishing for a long time. Im very scared that he has some complex emotional problems and that he may need to speak to a proffesional. Any advice would be greatly apreciated.

[margypops]

Yes I do believe he needs some help talking to him is not enough this is really out of control behavior. so take him to the Doctor , how old is he you dont say... but he sounds like an older child, has he shown no bad behavior to the cat before you are aware of ?

[tobbeyj]

I would not jump to comclusions about him needing help - however I would get him the help. At 4 years old, he probably did not think of the long term effects of putting the cat in a cooler. I would be concerned if he is displaying more aggressive behaviours with himself, other or other animals - but would not be freaked out about one incident in which he did not understand the consequences.  If this is his first death that he is dealing with - perhaps he is not showing remorse  because he does not understand that the cat wont be ok again. This is just my thoughts. How does he speak, is he agressive and morbid with other things?? this is what I would keep an eye on. Hope this helps a little. Good luck.

[margypops]

No more pets... he will do it again

[margypops]

Sorry just spotted the 4 year old, ,again no more pets ., he said to you not to look in the cooler that tells me he must have known it was wrong .,

[tobbeyj]

Maybe he was just playing a joke on his parents not knowing that the cat would have died. I am trying to be optimistic for the little guy. Definitely no pets again though.

[specialmom]

I think I would be concerned with his lack of empathy for having killed his cat.  Not showing emotion at that time tells me that he wasn't playing a joke and made a mistake.  I guess he could have been scared and quietly remorseful at what he had done and reacted in this strange way . . .  but I'd consult someone about it.  He is a young boy and they do some crazy things for sure.  But it is his reaction that puzzles me.  

I'd definately, agree.  No more pets.  I'd watch out for any younger children as well.  

One last thought, could he have hurt the cat while playing with it by accident and then put it in the cooler?  

[kmchenry254]

then again hes only four
he might of just been playing too rough with the cat and after it was no playing back he might of realized the cat was dead
and maybe panicked and tried to hide the cat
i member when my brothers were younger they were constantly hurting my pets and what not
but i think 4 years old is too young for a pet
just because they are usually wild and very rambunctious  at this age
yea i would talk to him and discipline him for a day so
just so he does know what he did was wrong
but i wouldn't jump conclusions
and think he did it on purpose and ect.