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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.

#2

Just Taking A Nap After Eating All The Strawberry Jam

Just Taking A Nap After Eating All The Strawberry Jam

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DforDorothy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cuteness overload! Although I would have a heart attack if I saw him all red and turned on his back!

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#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

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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

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#5

I Guess We Will Never Know What Happened To The Catnip

I Guess We Will Never Know What Happened To The Catnip

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#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

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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

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#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

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#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

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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.”

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

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#11

My Cat Steals Potatoes And Walks Around Like A Boss

My Cat Steals Potatoes And Walks Around Like A Boss

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#12

Who Could Resist A Cinnamon Roll?

Who Could Resist A Cinnamon Roll?

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#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

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#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

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Courtney Christelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At supermarkets in the produce section, you'll find so many little kid teeth marks in the fruit closest to the edge.

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Kikka io
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

these noses that go around alone without any shame, to steal apples ...

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ArhomR
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such determination should always bd rewarded.

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

Like the fact he actually was able to chew through the cardboard enough to reach that apple..

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Catherine Todd
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What little pet is doing this? Can't tell from the blurry photo, but so funny!

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Anja Schmidt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

must be very special apples ... bunch of packaging to cope with!

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#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

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#19

Doggo Steals A Pupperoni Pizza

Doggo Steals A Pupperoni Pizza

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#20

He Tried

He Tried

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Pauline Bennett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I can just squeeze, up a little more I T-H-I-N -K I can get it.

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#22

Caught Redhanded

Caught Redhanded

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Laura Doherty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen the video. The dog pretended so hard to be blind and deaf to the owner. Such a cheeky chap!

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#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

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#24

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

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

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#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

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#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

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#27

So My Friend's Cat Decided To Steal Some Chicken

So My Friend's Cat Decided To Steal Some Chicken

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Rozanne Blignaut
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This beautiful monster does not regret anything! Also... innocent until proven guilty in my eyes!

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#29

Cat Stole My Lunch

Cat Stole My Lunch

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#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

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#31

High After The Vet, Caught Stealing French Fries

High After The Vet, Caught Stealing French Fries

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#35

Hey, That’s Mine

Hey, That’s Mine

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#36

Busted. With The Ramen She Stole From The Pantry

Busted. With The Ramen She Stole From The Pantry

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#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

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BLACKA BLACKA
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See, what had happened was...never mind can get this off me? Please..

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#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.

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#39

Our Cat Tried To Steal Our Chinese Leftovers

Our Cat Tried To Steal Our Chinese Leftovers

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#40

Lil' Goblin Stole My Steak

Lil' Goblin Stole My Steak

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#42

Rare Pic Of The Infamous Bread Thief

Rare Pic Of The Infamous Bread Thief

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#45

My Dog, Katie, Who Stole A Baguette

My Dog, Katie, Who Stole A Baguette

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#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

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