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.”
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.”
