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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have some concerns about giving a toddler a ball bought from a pet shop?

30 replies

Chchchchangeabout · 06/03/2015 21:57

OH bought it and threw away the packaging so no idea if it's suitable or not. Seems quite robust but rather heavy and not sure exactly what it's made of. It's plastic of some kind or other.

I suggested it would be best played with under supervision just in case but OH stridently disagrees. And has also decided because I'm concerned about this I am questioning his ability to be a good parent, and should accept his view on this as if I don't do that it proves I don't trust his judgement.

AIBU?

OP posts:
MrsTawdry · 06/03/2015 21:59

Why did he buy the toddler a pet ball? Confused YABU anyway. I assume it's rubber?

WineListPlease · 06/03/2015 22:01

I can't understand what the potential risk could be?

Chchchchangeabout · 06/03/2015 22:01

Not sure MrsT, it could be rubber. It is see throughish material though so not sure, and a bit heavier than I'd expect rubber to be.

OP posts:
ClassicTron · 06/03/2015 22:01

I think, if anything, it's likely to be more robust, if it's designed for dogs to chase.

If it's safe for dogs and safe for dog owners to handle, I can't see why it wouldn't be safe for a toddler and in you OH's position I'd probably feel much the same way.

sanfairyanne · 06/03/2015 22:01

what kind of concerns? its probably quite tough at least.

Houseworkavoider · 06/03/2015 22:01

I think yabu.
The ball won't be made of toxic material and is designed to be chewed by a dog so I doubt a toddler could break it up into choke sized bits.

Annunziata · 06/03/2015 22:02

I don't see why you're bothered, the child isn't going to start barking at the ball, is he?

MsJudgementalPants · 06/03/2015 22:03

As long as you didn't buy him a little wheel to run around in I can't see the problem.

mikado1 · 06/03/2015 22:05

My toddler was given a plastic cat's ball-straight from the cat's basket! ! I wouldn't worry :)

Chchchchangeabout · 06/03/2015 22:07

Hmmm it seems IABU. Darn it.

However, should darling little Changes start barking like a dog as a result of unsupervised pet use, I will SUE YOUR ASSES.

OP posts:
Chchchchangeabout · 06/03/2015 22:08

Unsupervised pet ball use.

Unsupervised pet use definitely sounds like a bad idea.

OP posts:
MrsTawdry · 06/03/2015 22:09

I'd be pissed off he didn't go to a toy shop!

Annunziata · 06/03/2015 22:10

My toddler is very sad that she isn't a cat and miaows quite often, but I put that down to age Grin

Hakluyt · 06/03/2015 22:13

"I'd be pissed off he didn't go to a toy shop!"

Why?

gamerchick · 06/03/2015 22:14

I'd be more worried about the telly if a youngling started chucking a dog ball about Grin

CliveCussler · 06/03/2015 22:17

A plastic cat's ball. Grin

sorry. I'm not the grammar police. That just made me laugh

Preciousbane · 06/03/2015 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

froggyjump · 06/03/2015 22:23

We use loads of toys from pet shops as sensory interaction things with SN kids. Knobbly balls and rings, cat teaser things (feathers on fishing rods, sparkly balls with bells in etc) They are way cheaper than from a SN equipment catalogue, and, as PP have said, are usually more robust.

MrsTawdry · 06/03/2015 22:37

Hak because WHY go to a bloody pet shop to buy your child a toy? It's odd. Toy shops have toys expressly designed for children. Pet shops have toys for animals.

Hakluyt · 06/03/2015 22:39

Oh, don'tbe silly- a ball's a ball!

And he might well have been in the pet shop anyway.

ClassicTron · 06/03/2015 22:43

I would have thought it was a case of he was in/passing the toy shop and saw something DS would like, rather than specifically setting off to buy DS a ball in the pet shop.

BackforGood · 06/03/2015 22:43

Like froggyjump said, a pet stall is by far and away the best place to go for toys for sensory interaction. a fraction of the price of a 'specialist catalogue' but certainly as useful and as tough.

However, back to the OP - a ball is a ball. Any ball tough enough for a dog is going to be tough enough for a small person.

littlejohnnydory · 06/03/2015 22:45

Don't be silly! I've used a lot of pet toys for sensory boxes etc. I also use clean, new sponges, swiffer cloths, shaving foam, hair gel, etc which aren't from a toy shop either. I'm not sure what the problem would be?

Morloth · 06/03/2015 22:49

DS2 has a rubber pig thing that makes a godawful noise when you squeeze it.

He got it at the pet store. We also have some giant tennis balls that we got there, they are extremely robust.

Hakluyt · 06/03/2015 22:57

We have that pig- the dog's terrified of it!