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#1 This Is Maze's Sock Box. She Steals Them From The Bedroom And Instantly Runs Downstairs To Put Them In The Box. She Really Loves Socks
#3 Google Made A Panorama Of My Cat Stealing My Husband's Pants Out Of His Closet
Pet theft is a common occurrence in many households and it usually starts with a missing sock. This behavior is fascinating when you look at it from a biological perspective. One of the primary reasons our pets take our things is because they are attracted to our unique scent.
Humans have sweat glands that produce a specific olfactory signature and this scent is most concentrated on items we wear frequently. To a dog, a used sock is a concentrated essence of their favorite human. The American Kennel Club notes that dogs use their powerful noses to feel connected to their owners. Taking an item that smells like you is a way for them to feel close to you when you are busy or out of the house.
Another factor is the desire for engagement because pets are smart and they learn how to manipulate their environment to get what they want. If your dog picks up a toy and you ignore them, they might realize that picking up your leather boot gets an immediate reaction. Even if that reaction is you chasing them and shouting, it is still a form of interaction.
#7 Spent 20 Minutes Looking For The Paint Roller That I Bought Yesterday. I Don't Have The Heart To Take It Away So I Guess I'm Headed To The Store
#9 I Taught Her To Pick Things Up For Me, But Now She's A Thief Who Tries To Barter For Treats
From the perspective of a bored pet, a game where they keep an object away from you is very exciting. Experts at Chewy suggest that this behavior is often reinforced by the owner without them even realizing it. Every time you jump up to retrieve a stolen object, you are essentially telling your pet that stealing is a great way to start a fun game together.
#10 My Wife And I Were Up Late Talking The Other Night, So Our 8-Month-Old Husky Stole A Pillow And Put Herself To Sleep
For many animals, the act of stealing is also tied to their natural predatory instincts. Cats are the most famous for this because they often hunt small household objects as if they were prey. A sparkly hair tie or a crinkly piece of plastic mimics the movement and sound of a small rodent or a bird.
#13 My Cat Stole My Dog's Bone But The Dog Is Too Nice To Take It Back So Instead He Is Just Watching And Whining
#14 I Moved To A Tiny, Beautiful Equatorial African Island. Here, Dogs Aren't Used To Being Domesticated. Bilbo Is Sticking To His Heritage
He steals food. He steals money, then tears it up. He sleeps on the dining room table despite not being allowed on any furniture, and does it like he’s conducting an audit. He learned how to open the fridge, so I had to install a lock that would irritate a raccoon. If I relax for more than thirty seconds, something gets destroyed.
We also have terrestrial hermit crabs here. Bilbo keeps trying to present them to me like gifts, holding the shell so the claws are free, so I have to fight the business end while he holds the armored part perfectly safe - wagging his tail while he does it. Lizards freeze when he enters a space. Chickens no longer enter my garden. I love the furry ball of chaos, though.
#15 Bandit Stole My Heart Before She Stole My Hat
My friend's wife would hide her when people came to look at puppies because she was mine from the start. Now she's my sidekick.
When a cat carries these items to their food bowl or hides them under the refrigerator, they are practicing their hunting and caching skills. Some cats even feel the need to provide for their families by bringing them these gifts. While you might not appreciate a plastic bottle cap on your pillow, it is actually a sign of affection and a display of their natural skills which they want to share with you.
#17 My Thief Cat Steals Sponges From Neighbors And Brings Them Home
Boredom and the need for physical stimulation also play huge roles in why pets become little thieves. If a pet does not have enough toys or mental challenges, they will find their own ways to stay busy throughout the day. Investigating a drawer or a laundry basket provides a wealth of new textures and smells for them to explore.
