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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

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#3

This Adorable Fruit Thief

This Adorable Fruit Thief

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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.

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#8

Cat Returns With Sausage Stolen From Unknown Neighbors BBQ

Cat Returns With Sausage Stolen From Unknown Neighbors BBQ

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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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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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

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#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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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

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#25

Naughty Boy Stole A Burger From The New Neighbours BBQ

Naughty Boy Stole A Burger From The New Neighbours BBQ

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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

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#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

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#28

Got Caught Counter Surfing. Just A Small Snack

Got Caught Counter Surfing. Just A Small Snack

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#31

The Look On His Face After Stealing An Onion

The Look On His Face After Stealing An Onion

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#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
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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

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#37

Charlie Stole A Potato This Morning

Charlie Stole A Potato This Morning

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#38

Caught My Cat Trying To Steal Extra Noms

Caught My Cat Trying To Steal Extra Noms

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#40

Caught Red Handed Stealing Her Humans Water

Caught Red Handed Stealing Her Humans Water

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

One of our cats decided to "steal" some water from one of our glasses. We allowed it because it was cute. Now all 4 of our cats exclusively drink water from a glass. I regret nothing.

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

My friend's cat will only drink from a glass. they have special cups labelled 'toast's water' all over the house

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

Every morning my cat comes in the bedroom to drink water from the glas on my night stand..

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

My cat would do that all the time! She liked her water fresh.

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

I had a cat who liked to drink from a glass, despite having a big bowl of fresh water not 6 steps away from him

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Redheaded1
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Used to keep a glass of water on my nightstand until I heard my cat casually drinking out of it. I got myself a lidded cup and kept one out for her at bedtime. Miss that cat.

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

Nothing worse than being half away, take a nice gulp of water only to get a mouth full of wayward kitty hairs!!

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

My cat drank my corn pops! And a thing of chunky soup

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

my cats would only ever drink water from a glass on our nightstands

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

my cats do this all the time despite having a mini cat water fountain

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

We had a cat with weird quirks, including the month when he would only drink water from a specific mug that had to be in the center of my sister's bedroom.

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

Get your cats a fountain. Cats instinctively avoid still water. Moving water in the wild is generally cleaner. Many cats don't get nearly enough liquid since as true obligate carnivores, they would normally get it from the blood of their prey. A fountain encourages them to drink more water and keeps them far healthier.

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

My cat much prefers the water in my cup to the water in her bowl, no matter how fresh and cool it is. She would rather drunk my water that is room temp and may have been sitting in a sunny spot for an hour. Little weirdo. 😂😋

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

My little one would probably be enjoying her "toe water"....the name I gave it when she dips her foot into the water then licks it off 🐾🐾

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

We had a cat, that had to have his own cup of ice water at bed time, like his mama! I’d get in bed, he’d come up, and while on a towel, he would drink his water! He loved crush iced water. He had hyperthyroidism, and he was always thirsty, in spite of his medications. But he was a smart boy and for the last 5 years of his life, I gave him his red cup of ice water at bedtime, and when ever he wanted it.

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

Due to "tactile hairs" [whiskers] not touching bottom of shallow bowls...which brings pain.

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

why do cats/kittens love to drink from glasses? we've lost so many to their attempts! (adorbs kitten!)

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

Some bowls aren't deep enough & cats' whiskers ["tactile hairs"] hit the bottom of the bowl which brings pain. Ask a vet. [I don't recall where I read this.]

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

mom had to use a cup with lid on her nightstand her cat was too lazy to go into bathroom where the waterer was

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

We had little male Pekingese we'd rescued; my Dad, old Marine mustang that he was, would spit shine shoes, while watching the tube & enjoying Scotch on the rocks, in an old-fashioned glass (this is important). Choi, my Peke, one day was napping ~ 6 feet from my Dad. He woke up, ambled over for some mush, & sniffed at my Dad's Scotch, took a couple laps, & sauntered back to his nap place. Got up, came back for some more Scotch, headed back to his nap place, kind of hesitantly. Got up again, came back for MORE Scotch - this time, he stumbled back to his nap place, PLOTZED down, and almost immediately started snoring to beat the band, worse than his normal snoring. After that, we kept him away from, errrr, adult beverages.😉

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

That glass is precariously close to tipping off the coaster. Kitty and mom are in for a big surprise!

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

Every cat I've had prefers my water in a glass. I think because it's fresh and we drink it cold, where their bowl of water gets warm and "old". My current cat, who is 18 and starting to not do too well, wasn't drinking enough water and is on medication so needs to be flushed. I foster animals and rehab many species and this is a neat trick to use if your pet needs more hydration. They just love glasses and many will dip in a paw and lick it off. This is a good trick to get pets to take medication, too. Grind it up into fine powder, add that to a bit of wet food or baby food, add a lot of water to make a soup and put it in a human cup, bowl or even on a piece of wax paper "sandwich wrapper" style. I swear they'' eat anything if they think they're getting away with taking it from us. :)

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#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

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#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

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#43

Someone Stole My Snack

Someone Stole My Snack

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#47

My Kitten Steals Everything, Including The Food In My Fridge

My Kitten Steals Everything, Including The Food In My Fridge

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Mazer
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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

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#49

We Got A Nugget Thief. Caught Red Nosed

We Got A Nugget Thief. Caught Red Nosed

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#50

Pizza Thief

Pizza Thief

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