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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think DD is being a bit snobby to say pet food from cheap shop isn't good enough for the hamster!?

91 replies

SixtyFive65 · 29/09/2017 15:59

DD is 16 and rather obsessed over this hamster. All her money goes on it. It really does live a ridiculously good life.

Anyway, DD asked if I could pick up some food for it today - she gave me the money.

I thought to be nice, I'd pay for it and got her the hamster and mouse food from B&M. Oh she wasn't happy when I got home, declaring he can only have blooming Harry Hamster food or god knows what it was. It's £2 more expensive!! I said I wasn't paying that, but she didn't even say thank you for buying the food, just oh that's why I gave you the money.

WIBU???

OP posts:
missarcher · 29/09/2017 16:01

She should of said thankyou but at the same time she wasn't expecting you to pay for it so not sure getting the other one is really a big deal

swg1 · 29/09/2017 16:02

It's her hamster, she was prepared to pay for it and she gave you the money. I would imagine there are differences in the food to make it cheaper - hamster food isn't something B&M will have in as an end of line item so there will be a difference. If she's that obsessed, chances are she's done her research.

So yes, YABU

FakePlasticTeaLeaves · 29/09/2017 16:04

She should of said thanks but I understanding wanting the best for your pet. Not sure how it is snobby.

ArcheryAnnie · 29/09/2017 16:04

I get why you are a bit irritated, but she wasn't asking you to pay - she'd asked for a specific thing, and supplied the money for it.

And it may not be snobbery - she may have done the research, if she's obsessed about her hamster, as you say, and discovered the food she buys is the best food. Which OK, you may not care about, but it's a good sign from her that she's taking responsibility for it. Too many teenagers love their pets, but are fairly careless about taking care of them properly, so she's doing the right thing, it looks like.

JCo24 · 29/09/2017 16:05

So you know she’s obsessed about the hamster and it’s welfare, whether it’s weird or not doesn’t matter. She gave you money to buy the food and you decided to go against that. I think you need to apologise to her to be honest because YABU.

Sounds like Hammy is living a good life though; your DD sounds like a very caring pet owner.

ButchyRestingFace · 29/09/2017 16:05

She should have told you before you bought it, but I think you should be pleased your daughter is a caring person who doesn't cut corners when it comes to her pet's care.

FWIW, my vet advised me always to buy a particular branded food for my parrot and not the cheap, loose stuff they bag up for you in the pet store.

TellMeItsNotTrue · 29/09/2017 16:05

Some food is better for hamsters than others, also best sticking to same one to help prevent selective eating.

If she gave you the money then YABU, her money + her pet = Her choice

Floralnomad · 29/09/2017 16:06

YABVU , any animal you own should have the best food you can afford and there is a difference between different brands .

xoxoGossipGirl · 29/09/2017 16:07
  1. Do not trust b&m with pet food because of many horror stories.
  2. She was willing to pay.
3.would you rather her spend money on a hamster than alcohol or drugs.
  1. If a pet is stuck to a specific diet and it’s changed majority of pets won’t eat it.
  2. I understand she should of said thank you as you didn’t have to make your way of paying for it but she was paying not you so let her have her happiness and pride with her hamster.
Tubbyinthehottub · 29/09/2017 16:08

I am like this about my cat. I’ve done my research and buy him what I believe is better for him. I wouldn’t be impressed if someone bought him poor quality food, especially if it with my money.

Original poster
SixtyFive65 · 29/09/2017 16:09

But surely if someone brought it for you, you'd use it? It's just a waste now. The shops wouldn't sell it if there was something wrong with it.

OP posts:
xoxoGossipGirl · 29/09/2017 16:09

Sorry getting her the hamster food*

Mulberry72 · 29/09/2017 16:09

She didn’t ask you to pay for it she gave you the money for her choice of food for her pet.

If you know that she takes her hamsters diet seriously (which she clearly does) why would you buy an alternative?

TellMeItsNotTrue · 29/09/2017 16:11

It's not brand snobbery, some will be healthier for the hamster than others. Don't forget this is the hamsters whole diet (or main if it gets fresh veg) so it's not like value beans or heinz beans, it's more like you living on beans and bread or a variety of foods including veg and fruit, one will be a lot healthier for you. Yes they will both look like variety because it's muesli but one will be a healthier mix

All of these hamster threads are making me miss having one, I've had one on and off all of my life, need to get a new one

TellMeItsNotTrue · 29/09/2017 16:14

Honestly, I wouldn't use it. I would have thanked you then gone and got it myself. It's better to stick with one type, and it's not like 2 tins of dog food, a bag of hamster food lasts a while so it will have an impact on the hamster

I'm impressed, she's obviously done her research, is paying for food herself (parents paid when I was still in school) and she is willing to pay more for better food.

Butterymuffin · 29/09/2017 16:15

Did she say 'get Hammy Hamster food' or just 'get some hamster food'? If she didn't make it clear then she ought to have done. But otherwise, if it's her money, it's her choice to buy the higher-priced brand. I agree with the pp saying there are so many worse things she could spend money on.

'The shops wouldn't sell it if there was something wrong with it' - have you heard about the scandal over chicken happening at the moment, with it being repackaged to show later dates? Or the horsemeat in food scandal of a few years back? Retailers and food producers aren't without their faults.

MardAsSnails · 29/09/2017 16:16

Her pet, her choice of food.

If I'd asked my mum to pick some dog food up and she'd brought pedigree chum instead of the stuff I get which is 3x dearer (and has involved much research into the right food for their needs and doesn't upset their stomachs), no way I'd use it just because someone had picked it up for me.

She's responsible for little Hammy's welfare and she's taking it seriously. Well done your DD

ZaraW · 29/09/2017 16:16

She's taking responsibility for a pet and wants it to have high quality food which she pays for there's nothing wrong with that. So yes YABU.

TellMeItsNotTrue · 29/09/2017 16:20

As for the shops not selling it if it wasn't safe, it's not exactly going to kill the hamster (one would assume) but its also not going to keep it as happy and healthy.

There are bowls sold with fish that are far too small, they stunt the growth of the fish and kill them off a lot sooner. Just because it's sold for a pet doesn't mean it's suitable, unfortunately people see hamsters and fish as cheap disposable pets and want to spend as little as possible, while there are people like that out there then there will always be cheap unsuitable products for sale I am not saying this is you, just explaining why it would be sold when unsuitable

expatinscotland · 29/09/2017 16:21

YABU!

Floralnomad · 29/09/2017 16:23

But surely if someone brought it for you, you'd use it? It's just a waste now. The shops wouldn't sell it if there was something wrong with it
The supermarkets are full of crappy dogfood that isn't good for dogs and no I wouldn't use it because someone had bought it , because I look after the best interest of my pet .

SaucyJack · 29/09/2017 16:25

She sounds like a decent kid.

Are hamsters picky BTW? I have a cat, and there'd be no point buying a cheaper or different brand for her because she just wouldn't eat it.

FakePlasticTeaLeaves · 29/09/2017 16:25

The shops wouldn't sell it if there was something wrong with it. I'm sorry to say, this is incredibly naive

Glumglowworm · 29/09/2017 16:25

She should have told you what brand before you bought it but YABU to decide to ignore her wishes considering she's the one paying!

Gileswithachainsaw · 29/09/2017 16:26

I think it's brilliant she's taking it so seriously that's one lucky hamster. They are seen as cheap easy pets by so many people who also think any tiny cage and cheap food from bargain stores is ok. It's not.

Now if she didn't tell you what food to get then either she assumed you knew already as you'd seen the bag or she forgot which wasn't great but don't get substandard shit you know she doesn't want then ecoevt a thank you when she gave you the right money for the right stuff. It's not nice it's just a pain in the arse when people decide they know better or try and save you some miney.. Just get what you are asked to get

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