My Cat Is A Food Theif

by Amanda
(Blakeslee, PA)

First off my cat has been checked out by a vet and is 100% healthy and spayed. I have an automatic feeder so she can eat all day long (and she does). If any family member is eating or cooking and happens to turn their back or walk away from the food she will snatch it and eat it. She stole a $10 steak fresh off the grill when i went back outside to get the rest of them. She tips over the trash bin and rips open the bags to eat scraps out of it as well. Spray bottles of water and cans of pennies for noise do not work. I am at my wits end with her and do not know what else to do. Please help

Answer by Kate
unfortunately this sounds like a learned behavior that has been around for some time. this means that the habit will be hard to break.

You could try a period of confinement ie.e keep the cat in one room for a week with her bed and toys, litter etc. let her out to eat her meals in her usual place then return her to the room. this period will help to break the food stealing habit as it is not available and she will also get used to eating regular meals.

perhaps other visitors to the site will be able to advise further if they have experienced this sort of behavior too.

best wishes Kate

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