Redditor Kicks Out His Roommate For Giving His Elderly Dog Junk Food, Making His Medical Condition Worse

Some roommates are fine until one small habit turns into a full-blown problem. In this case, that habit involved an elderly dog, a prescription diet, and a friend who kept sneaking him junk food even after being told to stop.

OP had known James for years and let him move in when both needed a housing fix. Things seemed normal at first, until Arrow, OP’s senior dog, started getting sick and the vet traced it back to food that was never supposed to be in his bowl.

Now OP has kicked James out, and the friendship is hanging by a thread. Read on.

OP asks:

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OP and James have known each other for about five years. OP’s former roommate had to relocate for a new job, and James' lease at his previous apartment was up, so OP invited him to rent out his spare room

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OP has an elderly dog, Arrow. He adopted Arrow from the pound 10 years ago

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OP and James have known each other for about five years. OP’s former roommate had to relocate for a new job, and James' lease at his previous apartment was up, so OP invited him to rent out his spare room.

OP has an elderly dog, Arrow.

He adopted Arrow from the pound 10 years ago. His furry friend has been with OP through some of the toughest times in his life, and he loves him deeply.

Arrow is old and has a very delicate stomach, so he is on a special medicated diet. About three months into living together, Arrow began frequently throwing up.

About three months into living together, Arrow began frequently throwing up. OP assumed that this was a sign of his condition naturally worsening with time and took him to the vet

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, the vet told him that his condition had been exacerbated by the change in his diet. OP was confused since he wasn't feeding Arrow anything but his prescription food. But James did.

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OP asked him to stop, and he said he would. But he lied.

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Well, it turned out that his roommate had been giving him junk food. OP asked him to stop, and he said he would.

But he lied. He continued this practice, which can only be called animal abuse. So OP had to react.

That was the point where the situation stopped being a misunderstanding.

He continued this practice, which can only be called animal abuse

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So OP had to react

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Is he?

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Now he is asking, “AITA for asking my friend to move out because he kept feeding my dog junk food?” Read this interesting story below:

Redditors did not hold back on this one.

This also echoes the AITA where OP refused to split pricey pet food after a friend picked an expensive brand for a cat.

Redditors agree - OP was right

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That is the minimum:

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He should pay for the vet

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One commenter thought the roommate should be the one covering the vet bill.

Another person was not impressed with the roommate’s logic at all.

Last-days treats? Which make the dog sick?

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Weird logic by this roommate

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Quality of life is everything

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More commenters said the dog’s comfort mattered more than the roommate’s idea of a treat.

And plenty of people thought James had already crossed a line.

Actively worsening

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Not enough problems?

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Who knows:

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One more commenter pointed out that the dog was already dealing with enough.

Yikes indeed

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"I absolutely cannot stand animal abuse, and feeding the poor dog rubbish is just that"

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James should go. Right now

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Their mutual friends have been trying to mediate.

Well, all we can say is that they are not really good friends. We hope they end up living with James.

That excuse did not land well with the crowd.

By recognizing the bond between humans and animals and the responsibilities that come with it, roommates can navigate conflicts more effectively. Establishing guidelines and promoting a shared commitment to the pet's health can lead to a more supportive and cooperative environment.

The situation between the OP and James highlights the critical importance of understanding the responsibilities that come with pet ownership, especially when it involves an elderly dog like Arrow. The decision to invite James to share the living space may have been rooted in friendship, but it soon became apparent that differing views on pet care could jeopardize both the dog's health and their relationship. Open communication and a mutual commitment to Arrow's well-being are vital to preventing conflicts like this. As the article illustrates, a lack of awareness regarding the dietary needs of an elderly dog resulted in complications that could have been avoided through empathy and responsible actions. This scenario serves as a reminder of how essential it is for roommates to align on care standards and health considerations for pets in their shared environment.

The situation between OP and his roommate James highlights the critical importance of communication in pet care decisions. The conflict arose when James began feeding OP's elderly dog, Arrow, junk food, which directly impacted the dog's health. This scenario underscores how misunderstandings about proper pet care can lead to significant consequences for the animal's well-being. In this case, OP's decision to remove James from the living situation reflects a necessary boundary to protect Arrow's health, emphasizing that all caregivers must be on the same page when it comes to the dietary needs and medical conditions of pets.

Creating a supportive and informed environment can prevent misunderstandings and promote better care for pets, as seen in OP's commitment to Arrow's health over maintaining a living arrangement that jeopardized it.

Want more roommate-level pet drama, like the AITA over refusing expensive food for allergies?