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

[SixtyFive65]

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???

I think part of the problem when it comes to situations like this, is that small pets are so often considered to be 'disposable' and people want them to be cheap... so there are a lot of really inappropriate things available to buy. Tiny cages, foods that are actually bad for the animal, toys/accessories that can cause serious injuries etc.

Once you start doing research it's easy to see how genuinely cruel so much of it is, and so she doesn't see that bag of food as a nice gesture but as a symbol of everything that's wrong with the 'disposable pet' culture.

She should have been more clear and then said thankyou, but you should try to understand her point of view on this too.

That blooming carefresh is 20 quid for a couple of clean outs. It's crazy expensive, clearly she is in the right according to this thread but it does seem extreme for a little hamster.

Megazorb is much cheaper than carefresh but it smells quite sour when you first open the bag.

OP if your DD gave you the money and asked for something specific then you're not 'being nice' by buying something of inferior quality and paying yourself, you're being condescending and showing you don't understand.

Btw DC have 2 gerbils that are currently costing me £50 each per month in vet bills. Just because they're small animals doesn't mean they shouldn't be cared for properly.

I wouldn't feed my cat low quality food just because someone else bought it cheap. If I'd given them money to buy a brand that I feed her and they came back and gave me back the money but treated me with a box of Whiskas I'd be a bit . I don't feed her cheap food for a number of reasons. She's my pet and I'm happy to spend what it costs to feed her decent food. I'd feel bad that the person wasted their money but I'd be taking it around to the ladies at the local supermarket who collect cat food for the nearest shelter.

I wouldn't feed it to my very pampered hamster. He won't eat Harry Hamster food either. I buy him hamster food with fruit and nuts and I mix it with parrot food (with all the chillis taken out). I've done that for my last 3 or 4 hamsters and they've all lived well over 2 years.

He gets a small amount of fresh fruit or veg most days too.

I hate the attitude of "it's just a hamster". It's still a living thing that deserves to be well looked after. I take mine to the vets too if they need it. I spent quite a bit on my last one but unfortunately he had a tumour and couldn't be saved.

You was not trying to be nice you was trying to prove a point that you think her spending so much money on the hamster is a waste. Your daughter has made a choice (a good choice) to research what she buys for her hamster. It's her pet, something she has chosen to care for and be responsible for its wellbeing. Making sure that the stuff she gives it is good quality is part of that responsibility and it's good she's not trying to shirk it.

The more you post the more it sounds like the whole thing is a point proving exercise.

You could have just said no when she asked. Least that way shed have been able to go get it herself. Now your money down she's gotta pay to go to town to get the right food when and you have a bag if shit no one can use.

Hope it was worth it. Whatever it was you were trying to achieve.

Her dedication to doing the best for the hamster should be encouraged and applauded not ridiculed.

You sound awful quite frankly.

It's a hamster. They eat their own shit among many other things. I'm sure the extra £2 wouldn't have bought gourmet food either.

Hmm bit silly to be so precious over it's good imo. It really does look similar. As long as it's fed watered etc. I don't get the problem. I was being nice!!

You sound as if you have all the sensitivity of a flying mallet, OP.

The OP said the food her daughter wanted was £2 more expensive, so presumably it would have.

It's her pet, if she wants to look after it in a certain way, she's entitled do so. If you didn't want to buy the more expensive food, you should have told her to get it herself. Not unilaterally decide the more expensive food isn't necessary.

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 ther
No i dont feed my pets cheap food.

That blooming carefresh is 20 quid for a couple of clean outs. It's crazy expensive, clearly she is in the right according to this thread but it does seem extreme for a little hamster.
And? Her pet!
Maybe she thinks some of the things you spend your money on are extreme?

@paxillin -sigh- Harry Hamster food is much better than whatever B&M stocks. The extra £2 will be for a smaller packet. It really does make a difference. It's so sad to think animals don't deserve the best food you can find.

You ignored your DD and now you're calling her a snob on MN because she wanted a specific food for her beloved hamster

We buy Harry Hamster food for our hamster and its usually always on special offer and its not actually that expensive its £2.50 for 700g which lasts bloody ages but you normally have to go a pet shop to get it.

I'm starting to see why she's obsessing over a hamster.

YADBU