I think my mom is abusing our pets, and I really need advice on how to confront her. We have two cats and a dog, with our newest cat being just eight months old. The other two pets have been my emotional support for years. Our dog was never potty trained, and my mom just puts her in a spacious kennel. She often barks at the cats, probably because of all the yelling my mom does at them. It’s really distressing to hear. I’ve noticed my mom screaming at the dog, putting scary things in her crate, and even spanking her. The cats don’t get treated much better, especially when they fight. My mom yells, chases, and I think she even kicks them. It’s disturbing, especially when she talks about wanting to adopt more pets. I feel like I’m failing to protect them, but I’m only 16 and feel trapped. I can’t call anyone for help or reach out to neighbors. How do I even bring this up with her?
First off, I’m really sorry you’re going through this. It sounds super tough. Confronting her might be scary, but try expressing your feelings calmly. Maybe say something like, ‘I feel really upset when I hear you yelling at the pets.’
I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s hard to stand up to a parent, especially when it comes to pets. Maybe you could write her a letter instead? Sometimes, it’s easier to express feelings that way.
It sounds like your pets are really suffering. Have you tried talking to her when things are calm? Maybe pick a moment when she’s not yelling, and gently bring it up.
You might not feel like you have support, but remember that you care deeply for your pets. If she reacts poorly, you could always find a trusted adult later on to help you.
This is such a tough situation. I hope you can find a way to talk to her. Your pets need you to stand up for them!