'You used it too': Person manipulated into becoming free babysitter for newly adopted roommate's cat, then gets a bill for the food she used while roommate was on vacation

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 20, 2025 12:00 PM EST

Some people are just downright bonkers. A spontaneous roommate went out and adopted a cat without asking her other roommate first (this is the first red flag). Then, she goes away for the weekend, three days later… which turns into a 10-day vacation. No plans for anyone to care for her newly adopted baby, so the roommate was forced to take care of it, for free. We say forced because her only choice was to either take care of the cat, or let it starve, and she's not a monster. Upon returning from her purrfectly relaxing vacation, she then sends the roommate a bill demanding she reimburse her for the cat food she used to feed her own cat. What in the Twilight Zone is happening here?

We love cats, and even we would be upset if it were us in this situation. The pawrent should be on their hands and knees thanking the roommate for covering for them while they irresponsibly went away without planning ahead. You can't just adopt a pet and take spontaneous vacations anymore; this cat relies on you to provide for it. If it were us, we would take the cat and run far, far away. She certainly woulnd't be getting a penny from us, either.

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  • 01

    My roommate brought home a cat… then left for 10 days and told me I “owe her” for feeding it

    Cat and bowl of cat food including 'She tried to guilt-trip me, saying she "didn't ask for a roommate who kept score.""
    via Sofroni Maria's Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My roommate has always been a little spontaneous, but this time she went way over the line.
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 03
    About two weeks ago, she randomly showed up with a cat. No warning, no "hey, are you okay with pets," nothing.
    via Weary-Hair-316

  • Not just irresponsible, she's purrfectly inconsiderate, also! What if the roommate was allergic to cats? What if she was afraid of them? What if she just didn't want to live with them? Some people only think about themselves, and it's clear that this purrson does. She doesn't even think about her cat when she takes a vacation!

  • 04
    Just walked in holding a carrier like, "Surprise! Look what I adopted!" I wasn't thrilled, but I didn't want to be the jerk who hated animals, so I just kept quiet and figured we'd work it out.
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 05
    Three days later, she tells me she's going to visit her family for the weekend. Cool, whatever.
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 06
    Except the "weekend" somehow turned into ten days. No heads-up, no plan, no instructions for the cat, nothing
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 07
    Lonely cat resting on chair
    via Ahi Bennuri

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    She just left. I ended up feeding it, cleaning the litter box, and taking care of everything because obviously I couldn't let the poor thing starve.
    via Weary-Hair-316

  • When we regrettably have to leave our cats at home to go away somewhere, we can't wait to come back home to them. They are our home, actually, and even after a vacation, it's nice to come back to the ones you love.

  • 09
    When she finally came back, she acted like I was the one who inconvenienced her. She literally said, "You should chip in for the food since you used it too." Used it??
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 10
    I used it to keep her cat alive because she abandoned it like a houseplant. Then she tried to guilt-trip me, saying she "didn't ask for a roommate who kept score." What really got to me was the financial side of it.
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 11
    I'm already juggling rent, bills, groceries... and now suddenly I'm covering pet expenses for an animal that isn't even mine.
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 12
    It threw off my whole budget. I've been trying to stay on top of things, especially after tightening up my finances this year, and I even started using a Fizz debit card that reports to credit bureaus just to keep building my credit responsibly.
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 13
    So having surprise cat costs dumped on me did not help. Don't know how people deal with roommates like this.
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 14
    I'm not against pets, but I am definitely against being manipulated into becoming a free pet sitter and then being told I "owe" someone for it.
    via Weary-Hair-316
  • 15
    Cat sleeping on a bed
    via Duong Nhan from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 16
    Proof_Ear_970 • 15h ago Tell her she owes you pets sitting. Shes nuts. for
    via Proof_Ear_970
  • 17
    TheBigSmol 15h ago I think this issue goes beyond the cat. You should start planning your exit.
    via TheBigSmol
  • 18
    Foreign-Commission • 15h ago If you didn't tear her apart after being told this, what are you even doing? I wouldn't want to be a roommate with this person
    via Foreign-Commission
  • 19
    Ancient-Ad9861 • 15h ago . I think you should chuck her out and keep the cat as your room mate tbh
    via Ancient-Ad9861
  • 20
    Bangin_Gears • 15h ago Buy a pet alligator and go on vacation for 10 days. In all seriousness, you need to move out as soon as your lease is up. Or, as soon as she can find someone she can live with. This has all of the warning signs.
    via Bangin_Gears
  • 21
    bkitty273 14h ago . Exactly how much of her cat's food did you eat?! Seriously, though, I fly between ignore her, bill her for cat sitting (sans food supply) and start thinking about where else or who else you want to live/live with. Ugh! Some people!
    via bkitty273
  • 22
    Black-Mettle · 15h ago Just say "no." next time she has some ridiculous request. You don't have to explain anything, you don't have to give details, just "no."
    via Black-Mettle
  • 23
    TheDuchess5975 13h ago . The only one keeping score is her trying to charge you for taking care of her cat which you were under obligations to do. I would let her know under no uncertain terms will she abandon the animal again. If she does the food,
    via TheDuchess5975
  • 24
    water, and litter box will be moved to her room with the door closed not to be opened until she returns from her extended stay where ever she is. I would make sure the cat had plenty of food and water, she can clean the litter
    via TheDuchess5975
  • 25
    box, her bed closet, shoes, carpet and whatever mess is there when she returns. She can make arrangements, pay me as a pet sitter or face the stench of doom in her room when she returns!
    via TheDuchess5975
  • 26
    CoDaDeyLove 15h ago What planet is she from? She expected YOU to buy food for her cat? I think you should present her with a bill for boarding the cat. Where I live, it costs $75/night to board a cat. Bill her for $750 and offer to give her a discount and say you'll be fine with "just" $600.
    via CoDaDeyLove
  • 27
    not_small_ 15h ago I'm confused as to how she just spontaneously adopted a cat. In my experience most places that offer animal adoption require proof that the landlord & all residents are ok with adopting an animal.
    via not_small_
  • 28
    Business_Loquat5658 15h ago Are you in an apartment? Do they even allow cats? Many places that do allow them require "pet rent."
    via Business_Loquat5658
  • 29
    ATLUTD030517 • 15h ago If they had hired a pet sitter, they would have involved them for the cat food the sitter "used".
    via ATLUTD030517
  • 30
    Runningman738 15h ago People who complain that you are keeping score are always getting the best part of the deal
    via Runningman738

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Tags

manipulative babysitter adopted bills food roommates cat food Cats animals free vacation
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