By Liz O'ConnellShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA klepto kitty has gone viral after being caught red-pawed with a stash of stolen bills from the owner's boyfriend, all tucked away in the feline’s secret hideout.
In a TikTok video with more than 6.2 million views, a couple began searching the house for the missing money, and when it didn't show up in the usual spots, they turned to the cat's kingdom. The boyfriend stuck his hand into the cat's tunnel. Meanwhile, the tuxedo cat, Mr. Honey, looked on as his hideout was raided.
Each time the boyfriend stuck his hand into the cat's hideaway, he came back with wads of cash. This "cat burglar," as the owner called him in the caption, slowly began looking away from the evidence. Mr. Honey put on an innocent face and acted surprised when all the money showed up inside the cat house.
Owner Caitlyn told Newsweek via TikTok that it took a few weeks before realizing where the money ended up. It was the only thing her cat ended up stealing, as far as she's noticed.
..."So typical cat behavior loves knocking stuff off the nightstand," she said. "My boyfriend put his money on the nightstand, which is beside the cat house. The cat would knock the money off the nightstand into the cat house."
But this wouldn't be the first time Caitlyn's cat attempted to get into items that do not belong to him. A previous clip on the owner's TikTok revealed she had to put the catnip in a locked drawer to stop him from getting it.
TikTok users quickly defended the cat, claiming he was innocent and the method of proving his guilt was not the proper protocol.
"Did he have a warrant?" asked one person, while another added: "This seems like an illegal search, idk."
A third wrote: "He found your money, thank him."
Someone else suggested that he only stole the money as "payment for all the biscuits."
Why Does My Cat Steal Things?
It may feel as if you're losing your mind when you can't find an item in the house, but before giving up, you might want to turn your eyes to the felines. Some cats obsess with stealing. But where does this unusual cat behavior come from?
A vet-reviewed article from Catster reported several reasons for the stealing, ranging from harmless instinct to attention-seeking mischief. Cats may swipe small objects because of their natural hunting instinct. This could also lead to hoarding.
Sometimes they're doing it out of boredom and are seeking attention. Stealing and playing with items provides them with mental and physical stimulation. Plus, it can be a stress reliever as it gives them a sense of control and comfort in their environment.
To prevent this behavior, the article suggests spending more quality time with your cat, rotating their toys to keep it interesting and setting aside scheduled time to play with them each day. This routine and change in toys will give cats something to look forward to. Owners will also want to keep small items, such as hair ties, pens and pencils, out of your pet's reach.
Pet parents should also check with their veterinarian to ensure they are in good health, as behavioral changes can be linked to health issues.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.
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