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Let’s be honest — we love it when our beloved pets surprise us with their bizarre shenanigans. Whether it’s cats squeezing into the smallest places, dogs sleep-barking and twitching, or mice spinning their wheel like it’s no tomorrow — we can’t help but laugh and grab our phones hoping to snap a quick photo.

However, our adorable four-legged friends tend to act all innocent and holy to our faces, but as soon as we turn our gaze, they're back to their mischievous ways. And if there’s one sly behavior that certainly catches our attention, it’s when they steal our delicious bites right under our noses.

Just take a look at how dogs, cats, and even elephants and lizards tried to sneakily grab food off the counter, yet got caught red-pawed right in the act. Scroll down to see a compilation of pictures that vividly illustrate how pet owners never get bored and upvote the ones you enjoyed most!

Psst! If looking through this list made you hungry for more, make sure to check out our previous posts right here, here, and here.

#1

Our Rescue Cooper’s First Meal Was A Sandwich He Stole From The Table. Fast Forward 5 Years Later And Now He Has His Very Own Sandwich Shop

Our Rescue Cooper’s First Meal Was A Sandwich He Stole From The Table. Fast Forward 5 Years Later And Now He Has His Very Own Sandwich Shop

Melflorez Report

#3

This Adorable Fruit Thief

This Adorable Fruit Thief

miguelcolinart Report

To learn more about our pets and their desire to steal food, Bored Panda reached out to Kate Mornement Ph.D., who goes by the handle @petbehaviourist on Instagram. She is a qualified animal behaviorist based in Melbourne and the founder of Pets Behaving Badly. She consults pet owners and people working professionally with animals and helps them better understand these adorable creatures living under human care.

"In Psychology, food is classified as a Primary Reinforcer because it's essential for all animals' survival," she explained why some pets are famous for being food stealers. "This means that our pets innately find food reinforcing (rewarding), and they are hard-wired to seek food out, even food that's not for them!"

#4

Elephant Named Bhatbhoot Rice Ghost Stealing Rice From The Military Mess In Binaguri, West Bengal, India

Elephant Named Bhatbhoot Rice Ghost Stealing Rice From The Military Mess In Binaguri, West Bengal, India

1NbSHXj3 Report

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"Some pets may be more food motivated than others and more likely to steal food. Also, pets who have successfully stolen food and enjoyed eating it in the past are more likely to repeat the behavior in the future," Kate added.

For example, Labradors are generally very food motivated. Kate noted that many of them exhibit behaviors such as food stealing or counter surfing. "Even though Labradors are known to be the 'foodies' of the canine world, any dog can exhibit food-stealing behavior. Some examples of food-stealing I've come across are dogs eating a whole bag of dog food, a freshly cooked roast chicken, a container of butter, and even freshly baked cupcakes!"

#7

My Cat Got Into His Food Cupboard While I Was At Work, Stole All The Food Packets One By One, Then Hid Them In The Dryer

My Cat Got Into His Food Cupboard While I Was At Work, Stole All The Food Packets One By One, Then Hid Them In The Dryer

And then continued to open every single of of them! Found him having the time of his life inside there surrounded by food.

Ragdemot Report

#8

Cat Returns With Sausage Stolen From Unknown Neighbors BBQ

Cat Returns With Sausage Stolen From Unknown Neighbors BBQ

erigunn Report

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#9

My Friends Dog Isabelle Who Stole All Our Hoagie Rolls

My Friends Dog Isabelle Who Stole All Our Hoagie Rolls

SpoopySpagooter Report

While pet owners might become furious seeing their home-cooked meals getting blatantly destroyed, the feelings soften after a while. And for the viewers, witnessing such animal actions is certainly entertaining. According to Kate, there are a few reasons why people find food-stealing cute and amusing.

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"Firstly, I think it's funny because dogs are choosing to eat human food," she explained. "Second, it's not a behavior they tend to do when we're around, so they learn to get sneaky when it comes to stealing food. Thirdly, it can be a shock to find that our pet has eaten a whole bag of pet food or your roast chicken, so rather than get angry, I think some of us laugh it off."

#10

He Stole My Croissant And Thinks I Won’t Notice

He Stole My Croissant And Thinks I Won’t Notice

janitroll Report

#11

My Boy Was Busted Just Chillin In The Garbage Can And It Made Me Realize - I Own Oscar The Grouch

My Boy Was Busted Just Chillin In The Garbage Can And It Made Me Realize - I Own Oscar The Grouch

TillyTwoTis Report

#12

Behold The Thief Who Stole Everybody's Snacks

Behold The Thief Who Stole Everybody's Snacks

9999monkeys Report

However, sometimes swiping those tasty bites off the counter can pose real threats to your pet's health. "It's important to note, though, that food-stealing can be dangerous for pets because some foods are toxic and can make them sick. It's best to contact your vet if you suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn't have."

We were curious to learn whether these little goofballs try to tell us something with their sneaky behaviors and the never-ending snack grabbing. "I think that when pets steal food, they're acting on their impulses and eating something they want and have access to, rather than it being a deliberate act to upset us," the animal behaviorist told us.

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"However, if you find your pet is constantly trying to steal food and appears hungry all the time, you might want to discuss this with your vet to ensure they're getting enough food each day," she added.

#13

Pupper Has Been Bringing Us Eggs Everyday That She Steals From The Wild Chickens

Pupper Has Been Bringing Us Eggs Everyday That She Steals From The Wild Chickens

aussiefrzz16 Report

#14

My Nephews And I Made A Snowman, Then This Guy Stole Its Nose

My Nephews And I Made A Snowman, Then This Guy Stole Its Nose

GroovyJacuzzi Report

#15

You Think You Have Trouble When Your Dog Begs For Food?

You Think You Have Trouble When Your Dog Begs For Food?

JesusChristSuperstar Report

Luckily, Kate assured us that it's indeed possible to train your pet not to steal food. "To do this, firstly ensure you're providing a species-appropriate high quality and nutritious diet for your pet. Try to avoid leaving food unattended in areas your pet can access."

When it comes to mealtimes, teach your pet to stay in a specific location and feed them high-value treats for staying there. "With time and repetition, your pet will learn that it's more reinforcing to stay in that place than it is to try to steal food," she said. "Avoid feeding your pet from the table or when you're eating a meal or a snack. The only time they get food should be at their mealtime or during a training session."

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#17

I Present To You, The Bacon Thief. Photo Taken On Christmas Morning

I Present To You, The Bacon Thief. Photo Taken On Christmas Morning

sampletext1111 Report

#18

My Dog Decided To Steal A Squash The Neighbor Left On The Porch For Us. This Was The Look She Gave When We Tried To Take It Back

My Dog Decided To Steal A Squash The Neighbor Left On The Porch For Us. This Was The Look She Gave When We Tried To Take It Back

Smilf13 Report

Kate wanted to remind you that some pets tend to be more inclined than others to steal food. "If your pet has stolen food before, take a cautious approach and avoid leaving human food out that might tempt them when you're not there. If your pet succeeds in stealing food every now and again, that's called 'intermittent reinforcement' which tends to maintain the food-stealing behavior over time," she concluded.

#20

Busted Trying To Steal My Cantucci Biscuits

Busted Trying To Steal My Cantucci Biscuits

mazza_unicorn Report

#21

Lola Stole A Cupcake Wrapper And Made A Mess All Over Mum's Bed. Lola Gives Zero Hecks

Lola Stole A Cupcake Wrapper And Made A Mess All Over Mum's Bed. Lola Gives Zero Hecks

reddit.com Report

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nfrlprdpr avatar
Mazer
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indeed, Lola is proud of her dog designed linens

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#24

Every Meal You Make, Every Bite You Take, I'll Be Watching You

Every Meal You Make, Every Bite You Take, I'll Be Watching You

Glazuur Report

#25

Naughty Boy Stole A Burger From The New Neighbours BBQ

Naughty Boy Stole A Burger From The New Neighbours BBQ

Ok-Note9836 Report

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Vicky Z
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, new neighbours have to come and introduce bringing some treats! If you don't show HE will show and get it himself

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#26

Mysterious Thief Leaves A Clue In Ravaged Grease Pan

Mysterious Thief Leaves A Clue In Ravaged Grease Pan

ChubbaWubbaButt Report

#27

I Turn My Back For 2 Seconds And He's Trying To Steal My Girl And My Food

I Turn My Back For 2 Seconds And He's Trying To Steal My Girl And My Food

sambianchetto Report

#28

Got Caught Counter Surfing. Just A Small Snack

Got Caught Counter Surfing. Just A Small Snack

Tallon22 Report

#31

The Look On His Face After Stealing An Onion

The Look On His Face After Stealing An Onion

InfernalDragon_ Report

#32

Pop Got Busted While Trying To Raid The Fridge

Pop Got Busted While Trying To Raid The Fridge

PrissyandPop Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh what a cute smile!! Does the t-shirt say security?? Oh the irony

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#33

Caught Red Handed: Monet Drank Some Of Our Unattended Leftover Tomato Soup

Caught Red Handed: Monet Drank Some Of Our Unattended Leftover Tomato Soup

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#35

Her Face After I Caught Her Eating An Entire Loaf Of Sliced Bread

Her Face After I Caught Her Eating An Entire Loaf Of Sliced Bread

Cauzix Report

#37

Charlie Stole A Potato This Morning

Charlie Stole A Potato This Morning

Italianfreshness Report

#38

Caught My Cat Trying To Steal Extra Noms

Caught My Cat Trying To Steal Extra Noms

moeichi Report

#40

Caught Red Handed Stealing Her Humans Water

Caught Red Handed Stealing Her Humans Water

soccerstar3352 Report

#41

My Wife Caught My Dog Mid-Sneak In His Effort To Steal My Taquitos. He Looks Very Guilty

My Wife Caught My Dog Mid-Sneak In His Effort To Steal My Taquitos. He Looks Very Guilty

northforthesummer Report

#42

Their Mother Actually Stole This Defrosted Chicken From My Next Doors Kitchen, This Was 4 Years Ago Now, Such Survival Instincts, Much Aww

Their Mother Actually Stole This Defrosted Chicken From My Next Doors Kitchen, This Was 4 Years Ago Now, Such Survival Instincts, Much Aww

GarageAromatic Report

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#43

Someone Stole My Snack

Someone Stole My Snack

enough0729 Report

#47

My Kitten Steals Everything, Including The Food In My Fridge

My Kitten Steals Everything, Including The Food In My Fridge

NedenLotus Report

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Mazer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet you could teach this one to fetch. Hey, you are halfway there already

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#48

Pupper Do Not Steal My Hecking Peanut Butter

Pupper Do Not Steal My Hecking Peanut Butter

ellie-the-smiling-samoyed Report

#49

We Got A Nugget Thief. Caught Red Nosed

We Got A Nugget Thief. Caught Red Nosed

mrnoname929 Report

#50

Pizza Thief

Pizza Thief

pennywicky Report

Note: this post originally had 120 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.