ADVERTISEMENT

A kitchen counter may not look like a big deal to you, but to your pet, trust me, it’s the holy grail, a promised land, a gold mine all in one. Its captivating aromas, mouth-watering sights, and unforgettable flavors make it virtually irresistible for any four-legged friend to turn into a serial thief.

Remember that piece of a leftover muffin you were about to dig into until you turned around for a sec? This compilation by Bored Panda is a humble farewell to all the delicious bites that got stolen without mercy.

Luckily, these doggos and cattos have all been caught red-handed while committing their petty crimes, but even if we all forgive them, it doesn’t mean they won’t do it again. And again. Forever.

After you're done with this post, don't forget to check out a previous batch of four-legged red-handed criminals with a big appetite here and here.

#1

Egg Thief

Egg Thief

bbykaat Report

#2

Just Taking A Nap After Eating All The Strawberry Jam

Just Taking A Nap After Eating All The Strawberry Jam

esberat Report

#3

He Started Barking At The Door, When I Got Up To Look Outside He Ran Back A Stole A Slice Of My Pizza. No One At The Door

He Started Barking At The Door, When I Got Up To Look Outside He Ran Back A Stole A Slice Of My Pizza. No One At The Door

Detective51 Report

To find out more about why our pets love stealing food so much, Bored Panda reached out to Kate Mornement, a qualified animal behaviorist and consultant based in Melbourne who runs the animal behavior consultancy “Pets Behaving Badly.”

Kate said that some pets are notorious food stealers because “they're more motivated by food than other pets and their prior attempts to steal food have been reinforced (rewarded).”

The animal behaviorist gave an example: “a dog who has successfully stolen a whole roast chicken off the kitchen bench is likely to repeat the behavior given future opportunities.” If the act of attempting to steal food really pays off, the chances are high your furry companion will repeat it.

#4

Smart Cat

Smart Cat

radtoria Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

I Guess We Will Never Know What Happened To The Catnip

I Guess We Will Never Know What Happened To The Catnip

anlyin Report

#6

Just Want To Apologize To Any Of Our Neighbors Who Are Missing A Full Rack Of Ribs

Just Want To Apologize To Any Of Our Neighbors Who Are Missing A Full Rack Of Ribs

lovewhatreallymatters Report

Kate explained that stealing food, which is also known as "counter surfing," is “an opportunistic behavior.” It is solely based on realizing that such behavior pays off, so animals are drawn to repeat it.

“It has nothing to do with being dominant; rather, it's influenced by previous experiences finding food on kitchen benches and tables,” she concluded.

#7

When A Cat Runs To The Fridge Every Time It Opens, A Sign Is Necessary

When A Cat Runs To The Fridge Every Time It Opens, A Sign Is Necessary

carrot.tthe.cat Report

#8

When Mom Turns Her Back And You Steal The Leftover Corn Muffins From Dinner

When Mom Turns Her Back And You Steal The Leftover Corn Muffins From Dinner

hazeleyedsummer Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

My Girlfriend's Cat Likes To Steal Bagel Bites, When You Catch Him He Pretends To Be Asleep. Meet Neji

My Girlfriend's Cat Likes To Steal Bagel Bites, When You Catch Him He Pretends To Be Asleep. Meet Neji

eclipseb2k2 Report

The good news is that you can indeed train your pet not to steal food “by making an incompatible behavior, such as staying on their mat, more reinforcing than investigating food in the kitchen.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Kate said that this can be done by frequently rewarding your pet with high-value treats for staying on their mat while you are preparing or eating food. “It's important to avoid leaving food on countertops and tables outside of training sessions or when you cannot supervise your pet,” she added.

Be patient, and “over time and with repetition, your pet should be less likely to steal food,” the pet behaviorist concluded.

#10

The Nefarious Mr. Sugar Paws Caught Red-Handed Trying To Steal Some Raw Cauliflower, Which Is Inexplicably One Of His Favorite Foods To Nom

The Nefarious Mr. Sugar Paws Caught Red-Handed Trying To Steal Some Raw Cauliflower, Which Is Inexplicably One Of His Favorite Foods To Nom

a2gemma Report

#11

My Cat Steals Potatoes And Walks Around Like A Boss

My Cat Steals Potatoes And Walks Around Like A Boss

SithLady Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hell yea he's the boss. Potatoes are very cunning and hard to catch.

Louise Harries
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine were always Brussels sprout dudes! However my lil cat is actually called Spud

Cybele Spanjaard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most interesting cat ever..carries raw potatoes almost the size of his head around?Does he plant them outside?

Judith Wilson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what is this "breed"? With the M on his forehead? There are a lot of them!

Janette Parker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dog used to steal potatoes! ...and coal ...and soap ... and tissues

Arran Walker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat brought a wet and dirty biscuit inside the apartment earlier this week. Must have been dumped outside by a neighbor.

Potatoisme
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's love taters, you may take your spud and do what ever you like.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Who Could Resist A Cinnamon Roll?

Who Could Resist A Cinnamon Roll?

_sophocles_ Report

#13

My Dog Escaped. Showed Up At The Front Door With Unopened Nachos

My Dog Escaped. Showed Up At The Front Door With Unopened Nachos

pitx1 Report

#14

I Was Wondering Who Ate The Bread

I Was Wondering Who Ate The Bread

moebububu Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

Mr. Muffins Stealing A Muffin

Mr. Muffins Stealing A Muffin

ArmageddonWasp Report

#16

Sneak Thief Caught In The Act - That's A Nose In The Hole

Sneak Thief Caught In The Act - That's A Nose In The Hole

ILikeCuteGifsAndICannotLie Report

#17

How I Found My Kitten Trying To Steal Food From The Top Of The Fridge

How I Found My Kitten Trying To Steal Food From The Top Of The Fridge

the_ZA Report

#18

Bro My Lunch Has Been Stolen

Bro My Lunch Has Been Stolen

tylersaurus8 Report

#19

Doggo Steals A Pupperoni Pizza

Doggo Steals A Pupperoni Pizza

Report

#20

He Tried

He Tried

Report

#21

Busted, He Stood Silently

Busted, He Stood Silently

KCdadO Report

#22

Caught Redhanded

Caught Redhanded

RexChapman Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#23

Caught Yogi Red-Pawed Stealing From A Picnic Basket. Too Cute To Be Mad

Caught Yogi Red-Pawed Stealing From A Picnic Basket. Too Cute To Be Mad

TheImprobable Report

#24

The Identity Of The Flour Thief Remains A Mystery. Investigations Continue

The Identity Of The Flour Thief Remains A Mystery. Investigations Continue

Devon-Day Report

#25

We Caught Our Cat (Cookie) Red Handed Trying To Steal Our Cheese

We Caught Our Cat (Cookie) Red Handed Trying To Steal Our Cheese

Loptimist Report

#26

I Caught Her Red Handed. This Stinker Managed To Get Her Paws On A Croissant And Then Promptly Stuck It In My House Shoe

I Caught Her Red Handed. This Stinker Managed To Get Her Paws On A Croissant And Then Promptly Stuck It In My House Shoe

catsofclowder Report

#27

So My Friend's Cat Decided To Steal Some Chicken

So My Friend's Cat Decided To Steal Some Chicken

jgolden832 Report

#28

He Stole My Pretzel

He Stole My Pretzel

stella_artz Report

#29

Cat Stole My Lunch

Cat Stole My Lunch

bulldozer6 Report

#30

So My Cat Stole My Toaster Strudel Out Of The Toaster Today And My Mom Took A Picture Before Prying It Out Of His Mouth

So My Cat Stole My Toaster Strudel Out Of The Toaster Today And My Mom Took A Picture Before Prying It Out Of His Mouth

TheWibbly Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

High After The Vet, Caught Stealing French Fries

High After The Vet, Caught Stealing French Fries

BravesMaedchen Report

#32

I Was Distracted By The Baby When My Cat Knocked My Dinner Onto The Floor For My Dog To Steal. I Had Only Eaten One Bite

I Was Distracted By The Baby When My Cat Knocked My Dinner Onto The Floor For My Dog To Steal. I Had Only Eaten One Bite

Lockraemono Report

#33

My Dog Steals Bananas From The Counter All The Time. Only The Bananas, Never Eats Them Though

My Dog Steals Bananas From The Counter All The Time. Only The Bananas, Never Eats Them Though

EVDESIGN Report

#34

This Is Nico. Here’s A Compilation Of Him When He Steals Food Just To Hold On To It

This Is Nico. Here’s A Compilation Of Him When He Steals Food Just To Hold On To It

Bean-4-The-Dream Report

#35

Hey, That’s Mine

Hey, That’s Mine

bctaylor43 Report

#36

Busted. With The Ramen She Stole From The Pantry

Busted. With The Ramen She Stole From The Pantry

Faux-pa5 Report

#37

When You Get Caught Stealing Someone’s Chips Because Your Snout Gets Stuck In The Can

When You Get Caught Stealing Someone’s Chips Because Your Snout Gets Stuck In The Can

ayeeeeee_ Report

#38

Dog Thought It Was A Great Idea To Taste-Test It Just In Case It’s Poisoned. Results Turned Negative. Good Dog For Being So Thoughtful

Dog Thought It Was A Great Idea To Taste-Test It Just In Case It’s Poisoned. Results Turned Negative. Good Dog For Being So Thoughtful

This huge loaf of bread traveled along with my parents on a 600 km trip to get home. I love this bread as I don’t get to eat it frequently.

BlavkRabbit Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#39

Our Cat Tried To Steal Our Chinese Leftovers

Our Cat Tried To Steal Our Chinese Leftovers

kafoozalum Report

#40

Lil' Goblin Stole My Steak

Lil' Goblin Stole My Steak

RSV130 Report

#41

A Thief

A Thief

Freezerpops Report

#42

Rare Pic Of The Infamous Bread Thief

Rare Pic Of The Infamous Bread Thief

Mastaaaa Report

#43

Caught Our Dog Stealing A Piece Of Pizza

Caught Our Dog Stealing A Piece Of Pizza

TheKitchenSink23 Report

#44

Caught Red Pawed (Quite Literally)

Caught Red Pawed (Quite Literally)

meetthegingersons Report

#45

My Dog, Katie, Who Stole A Baguette

My Dog, Katie, Who Stole A Baguette

SummerDaBunno Report

#46

Photographic Evidence Of My Boyfriend’s Cat Trying To Steal My Cookie

Photographic Evidence Of My Boyfriend’s Cat Trying To Steal My Cookie

zippouix Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda