Should I Stop Pet Sitting My Friends Anxious Cat Due to Neglect?

A 28-year-old woman refused to keep pet sitting her friend’s anxious cat after the “I’ll text you the meds later” promise turned into days of silence, and the cat’s distress turned into an emergency.

Her friend, Lily, asked her to watch Mittens for a week-long vacation, but Lily didn’t leave the prescribed medications or written instructions. Mittens started falling apart, the OP called Lily for the dosing details, and Lily kept saying she forgot them, then claimed she knew better than the vet when the OP finally got Mittens treated.

Now the OP has to decide if she’s still being a friend, or if she’s just enabling neglect.

Original Post

So I'm (28F), and my friend, let's call her Lily, asked me to watch her cat, Mittens, while she goes on a week-long vacation. Lily knows that Mittens is very anxious and requires special care, including prescribed medications.

I agreed to pet sit and asked Lily to provide detailed care instructions and contact info for her vet just in case. For background, Lily often neglects Mittens' needs, and I've had to step in before.

When Lily dropped off Mittens, she was in a rush and didn't give me any meds or written instructions, saying she'd text everything later. Days went by with no info.

Mittens started showing signs of distress, and I called Lily to ask about the medications. She said she forgot them and would drop them off the next day, but she didn't.

Mittens got worse, so I took her to my vet, who prescribed meds. I told Lily, but she ignored the vet's dosing instructions, claiming she knew better.

AITA if I refuse to continue pet sitting Mittens and tell Lily to come back early to take care of her cat properly?

The Weight of Responsibility

This situation highlights the delicate balance between friendship and responsibility. The OP’s decision to care for Mittens comes with the understanding that Lily's neglect could lead to serious consequences for an already anxious cat. When the OP warns Lily about the cat's special needs, it’s not just a formality; it’s a plea for understanding and cooperation.

The OP's frustration is palpable—she's not just a pet sitter but a caregiver who genuinely cares about Mittens’ well-being. The conflict arises when the line blurs between helping a friend and stepping in to protect a vulnerable animal. It's a tough spot to be in, and it raises questions about how far one should go for a friend who doesn’t seem to reciprocate that care.

Comment from u/CatLover99

Comment from u/AdventureSeeker

Comment from u/SoccerMom4Life

By the time Lily dropped off Mittens in a rush and promised meds “later,” the OP was already bracing for trouble because she’d had to step in before.</p>

When days passed and Lily still didn’t deliver the medications, Mittens went from anxious to noticeably worse, and the OP had to keep chasing answers.</p>

It also echoes the neighbor who flipped out after demanding an extra week of cat-sitting.

Trust and Transparency

This story resonates because it taps into a common tension in friendships: trust. The OP's experience with Lily isn’t just about watching Mittens; it’s about the deeper implications of neglect and miscommunication. Readers can relate to that feeling of betrayal when someone you care about disregards your advice, especially when it involves the well-being of a beloved pet.

The community's reaction is divided. Some empathize with the OP’s dilemma, while others argue that refusing to pet sit could damage the friendship. It raises an intriguing question about where loyalty ends and self-preservation begins. Should the OP prioritize her relationship with Lily, or is her responsibility to Mittens more important?

Comment from u/SunshineDreamer

Comment from u/TeaDrinker77

After the OP took Mittens to her vet and got proper meds, Lily ignored the dosing instructions anyway, acting like her memory and opinions mattered more.</p>

That’s when the OP had to weigh refusing to continue pet sitting against the real risk of Mittens suffering again while Lily “forgot” what she was supposed to provide.</p>

What's your opinion on this situation? Join the conversation!.

The Bottom Line

This story sheds light on the complexities of friendships intertwined with animal care responsibilities. It raises a critical question: when is it acceptable to prioritize an animal's needs over a friend's requests? The emotional stakes are high, and most readers have likely faced similar dilemmas. What do you think? Should the OP continue to pet sit, or is it time to set firm boundaries for the sake of Mittens?

The situation with Lily and her anxious cat Mittens reveals a troubling dynamic in their friendship. Despite knowing Mittens requires special care, Lily's neglect and lack of communication show a disregard for her responsibilities as a pet owner. The Redditor's frustration stems from a genuine concern for Mittens' well-being, highlighting the difficult balance between supporting a friend and protecting a vulnerable animal. Ultimately, this raises important questions about accountability and the limits of friendship when it comes to the care of pets.

Mittens can’t wait for Lily to remember, so the OP shouldn’t either.

Wait, the betrayal and allergy fallout got even messier in this AITA where someone refused to pet sit after trusting a friend.