Cat Stealing Your Food? A Veterinarian Explains Why This Behavior Occurs and How To Fix It

For kitties that love to eat, mealtimes can certainly be one of their favorite parts of the day. But what if your sweet pet has become a bit too interested in your meals? It can be frustrating to have your cat constantly interrupting lunch or dinner when you’re trying to chow down. We asked a veterinarian to share why your cat may be stealing food from you, plus easy fixes to help curb this behavior.

 Why do cats like to eat human food?

 If your cat always seems to be taking an interest in your meals, it could be for a couple of several reasons. The first? “Cats are extremely smell driven,” says Preston Turano, DVM and veterinary advisor at Felix Cat Insurance. “So, one of the main reasons they take interest in food while people are eating is because they are drawn to the smell.” 

This can especially be the case if you’re chowing down on cat-friendly food. The aroma of chicken, fish and other proteins could be enough to entice Whiskers to come and investigate what’s on your plate. (Your cat may also be a bit of a fussy eater when it comes to what you're offering him. Find out how you can encourage him to eat from his own bowl). 

“Another reason cats may be interested in their owner’s food is because some cats are social eaters,” adds Turano. Even though cats are often thought of as solitary creatures, scientists have found this isn’t necessarily the case at mealtimes. 

They suspect that cats tend to bring food back to their social groups before consuming it because it makes them feel protected and less vulnerable while they eat. If a cat is anxious, this can also help provide security. 

Common cat behaviors you will notice around human food

A feline friend who likes to try and “steal” human food usually won’t be shy about their desires to get a taste of your meal. There are several things you’ll notice with this behavior, according to Turano. 

Whiskers may meow repeatedly as you’re preparing or sitting down for a meal. The vocalization is her way of trying to get your attention, and handouts from food in return. Another way felines like to get attention? Following you around! (Click through to learn more about this behavior). 

She may also attempt to jump onto the table where you are eating. This is not only distracting but can cause quite a mess if she crashes into any dinnerware on the table surface. 

Finally, a bold kitty might take a swipe at your food to try and snatch some for themselves. Talk about a nuisance! 

How to keep a cat from stealing human food

One of the best ways to curb this behavior is to set up clear boundaries for your cat. This means making sure not to feed them food from your plate.

“Human food can actually be healthy for cats,” says Turano. “Home cooking is an option for enhancing a cat’s everyday diet. However, in this case, the home cooked food should be fed in their dish and not from your plate or the pan.” (Not sure what foods you can share? Vets give the answer)

The reason: If your cat thinks he’s going to get a handout during your meal, he’ll be more likely to take it upon himself to interrupt your meals with the hopes of getting a sample. By putting a piece of chicken or other goodie in his own bowl, he’ll know this is the only place he gets to enjoy the treat.

For kitties who are particularly bold in their pursuit of your food, you might need to take a stronger approach. “You can also separate them at mealtime, providing a room or other option where they can hang out away from you while you eat,” he adds. Consider setting up some new toys for your pet to distract them or even giving them a treat puzzle. 

See how one cat owner does this in the video below: 

When that isn’t possible, you can thwart her attempts by cutting a few slices of lemon and placing them on saucers at each end of the table. Cats dislike the aroma of citrus, so when she catches a whiff of the fruit, she’ll keep her distance. 

Any of these approaches can make mealtime less stressful for both of you! 

For more helpful cat tips, keep reading!

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