No matter how well-fed our furry friends are, there’s something irresistible about the sight (or smell) of food that isn’t theirs. Whether it’s a sneaky swipe from the counter or a bold grab from your plate, pets have a way of turning into tiny bandits when they think no one’s watching.

But as it turns out, they’re not as slick as they think! We’ve gathered a collection of hilarious moments where these four-legged thieves were caught in the act, with guilt written all over their adorable faces.

Check out the pics below and don’t miss our chat with pet behavior consultant Erica Peachey, who explains why animals resort to stealing food and what we can do about it!

#1 Cracked The Case On The Missing Bagel

Image credits: my_life_with_dogs

#2 It’s His Now

Image credits: fluffyberrie

Picture this: you’re preparing dinner, setting the table, and putting out the food. You step away for just a moment, and when you return, something’s missing from your plate. If you have pets, you probably know exactly who the culprit is.

Many pet owners have caught their animals in the act, noticing the satisfied look on their faces after sneaking a bite. While it might seem like they’re being mischievous, that’s not exactly what’s going on.

As Erica Poachey, a pet behavior consultant and animal training instructor, told Bored Panda, pets don’t really understand what stealing is. “Food is there, and if no one is actually eating it, it’s available,” she explains. “‘Stealing’ is our interpretation. We know the food wasn’t meant for them, but they don’t know that.”

#3 My Rat Fou Fou Is Trying To Steal My Cinnamon Roll

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#4 Evidence Of Guilt "On The Face"

Image credits: HousingOriginal5114

Likewise, stealing food doesn’t necessarily mean your pet is underfed or starving at that moment. Animals, just like humans, like delicious things. “It’s the same reason I eat chocolate and cake even after a meal—it tastes good and gives a nice feeling,” says Poachey. She also points out that the thrill of “hunting” for food can be part of the fun, turning the act of finding something to eat into a rewarding experience for them.

#5 Meet Gody

Image credits: candythecorgi_official

#6 I Want To Apologize To Our Neighbors Who Are Missing A Rack Of Ribs. Our Dog Escaped Through The Fence And Came Back An Hour Later With This

Image credits: Peter Sparkie Lyons

The hunting impulse in animals is often triggered by their sense of smell. For dogs, for example, smelling is their primary sense. While the human brain is dominated by a large visual cortex, the dog’s brain is ruled by its olfactory cortex. To put this in perspective, a dog has up to 300 million olfactory receptors in its nose, compared to just 5 million in humans. Even domestic cats have around 200 million odor sensors, giving them a sense of smell about fourteen times stronger than ours.

#7 "Is This Cake Batter?!" Dunks Entire Head In

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#8 Egg Thief

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#9 I Caught A Papaya Thief

Image credits: Malagasy ve ianao

Smells provide clues about what might taste good. Just as the aroma of coffee in the morning wakes you up or the scent of pancakes pulls you into the kitchen, imagine what it’s like for your pets every time you cook something like chicken. With their powerful noses and hundreds of millions of receptors, it’s no wonder they might be tempted to have some, even if you hadn’t planned on sharing.

That said, these strong smell abilities don’t always lead to action. Depending on their personality or training, some pets are pickier eaters, while others might rummage through the garbage if given the chance.

#10 "Human, I’ve Done Things, Waffle Things"

Image credits: MiaMiaPP

#11 The Side Eye. I Wouldn't Have Suspected Anything Had Happened If I Hadn't Seen The Noodle Hanging From His Face

Image credits: bigbrinaxo

#12 Everyone, This Is Kiki, The Dog, Trying To Steal Pizza From Me

Image credits: M-a-r-v_v

Even the breed of your pet can be a factor in whether they’re more likely to steal food. “It’s known that certain dogs, like Labradors and Beagles, are more inclined towards hunger,” says Poachey.

She also notes that size matters: “Bigger dogs are more likely to steal—they tend to eat more and can easily reach work surfaces.” Habit plays a role as well. “A dog who learns that tasty food is occasionally available will search harder the next time,” Poachey adds.

#13 He Stole A Pancake

Image credits: chokymilkboy

#14 Pizza Thief

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#15 Cute Little Thief

Image credits: PearlyBoy

Cats, on the other hand, are much more selective when it comes to food because they have specific dietary needs as carnivores, unlike omnivores. “They’re usually only interested in something that appeals to them, typically meat, but some have broader tastes,” says Poachey. “And of course, cats can get into just about anywhere.”

Cats are also naturally designed to eat little and often. “So, if we’re only feeding them twice a day, they’re likely to go looking for something to munch on between meals,” she adds.

#16 No Trick Is Too Dirty When It Comes To Cake

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#17 My Husband Caught Our Cat Stealing Our Son's Chicken Nugget

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#18 Who Did It? Own Up

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Punishing animals for stealing food, even when you’re really frustrated, isn’t the right way to handle the situation. “Any punishment will have side effects, no matter the context,” says Poachey. “Quick fixes that involve something aversive when an animal does something we don’t like won’t work and can increase the risk of other issues—like a lack of trust, food guarding, fearfulness, and more.”

#19 The Grocery Thief

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#20 Someone Got Into The Spaghetti Bolognese

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#21 Be Aware Of This Cheese Cheddar Robber. His Last Sighting Was In Glasgow, Central Scotland. He’s Been Stealing Cheesy Cheddars Out Of The Pockets. Keep Your Cheesy Cheddars In A Safe Place

Image credits: ellainchainss

Additionally, punishing pets for eating food can leave them confused. “If they’ve already eaten and we get angry, they’re unlikely to connect the two actions,” Poachey explains. “‘Looking guilty’ is usually just ‘looking frightened.’ They’ve eaten the food and enjoyed it, so why would they associate your anger with something they found pleasurable?”

“If they still have the food and we try to take it away, they don’t understand. They’re likely to become defensive—how else can they react? Then we end up with an animal who’s learning to guard what they see as important from us.”

#22 I Came Home To This Little Bastard Bloated Because He Ate 3/4 Of A Costco Pizza By Knocking It Off The Counter

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#23 He Stole The Baguette From The Table

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#24 Left The Pot Of Spaghetti Alone For A Few Minutes And Caught Him Red-Handed

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So what should you do instead? “The quick answer,” says Poachey, “is to not leave food where your pet can reach it. If you don’t want your pet to get it, it’s your responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

It’s also important to remember that many foods we eat can be highly dangerous for animals—like chocolate, raisins, bones, and certain nuts.

“Teach your pet that it’s rewarding to come to you, to be with you, and to respond to you. Be someone they enjoy being around.” While these tips can certainly help, Poachey advises not to rely on them completely. What works for some pets might not work for others, and sometimes there could be underlying issues. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult a professional.

#25 Steal A Bite Of Grandma's Chinese Cabbage

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#26 Do You Think He’s Guilty?

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#27 Cheeseburger Thief Caught Red-Handed

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#28 Caught Red-Handed

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#29 Caught My Cat Eating My Soup While I Was On The Phone. It's Been More Than 10 Years That I Have To Pay Attention To Him Every Time I Eat. He Never Gives Up. I Love Him

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#30 Momo Decided To Un-Decorate The Gingerbread House

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#31 Why Is He Like This? Yes, He Knows He’s Not Allowed On The Counters. He Just Doesn’t Care. Corn Is Life

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#32 The Crime, The Criminal, And The Evidence

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#33 I Turned Away For 2 Seconds And We Found Him With His Face Dipped In Our Nacho Cheese

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#34 My Dog Almost Gave Me A Heart Attack Today. I Thought She Attacked Our Other Dog Outside And Had Blood All Over Her Face. Then I Saw A Seed And Realized She Got Into The Tomatoes

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#35 I Can't Even Make Dinner In Peace

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#36 This Sweet Tooth Stole A Vein Worm And Was Caught

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#37 Potato Bandit Strikes Again

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#38 Making My Son Cry Because She Stole His Sucker. The Look In Those Eyes Is Pure Evil

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#39 Uncle Rico Found A New Way To Tell Me To Feed Him. He Takes Food From The Kitchen Counter And Leaves It Next To Me In Bed While I Sleep

Image credits: Mr_Ws_History

#40 Putting His Entire Foot In My Coffee To Lick My Bowl Clean. He Could Have Just Gone A Few Inches To His Right

Image credits: QuiGonGiveItToYa

#41 Freaking Kevin

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#42 Not So Sneakily Licking Sushi

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#43 He's Like, "Chill Guys, I’m Keto"

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#44 My Cat Is Ridiculous. Insanely Food-Motivated. I Just Fed Him. He Eats Every 6 Hours Because He Acts Like He's Being Tortured If It's Any Longer

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#45 This Is Maddie. She May Be Blind, But It Didn't Stop Her From Finding The Cake I Baked For My Dad's 75th Birthday And Helping Herself To A Surprisingly Restrained Bite

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#46 "Mom, I Stole For You This Sausage From The Kitchen"

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#47 She Stole My Nutter Butter

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#48 His Name Is Cowboy And He's Actually The Most Precious Boy

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#49 Always Looking For Opportunities To Steal

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#50 It Stole The Cheese

Image credits: Maximum-Better