Browse ›
Silver tabby Scottish Fold cat with wide yellow eyes standing on a black stovetop beside a frying pan with scattered food. 20 / 37

He Thought the Coast Was Clear. Then Someone Walked Into the Kitchen.

AI imagescottish foldcaught in the actstovetop

Wide, round, startled eyes. That is the first thing anyone notices. A silver tabby Scottish Fold is standing right on the stovetop, all four paws planted on the glossy black surface, right beside a steel frying pan with bits of food scattered around its rim and onto the oven door. The swirled grey and silver stripes, the tiny folded ears, and the look of total shock combine into the classic portrait of a cat who just heard footsteps behind them.

Kitchens are full of good smells, and countertops and stoves are high perches with a view, so many cats are drawn to them. The stovetop is one of the riskiest places a cat can explore, though. Burners and glass cooktops can stay hot for a while after cooking, and a curious paw can be burned. Some stoves also have front-mounted knobs that a cat could accidentally turn on. Simple steps help a lot: never leave cooking unattended when a cat is around, wipe up food residue that might attract them, use knob covers if your stove has exposed controls, and provide a tall cat tree nearby so they have an approved high spot to watch from. Consistent redirection works better than scolding.

To be fair to this little explorer, the pan smelled delicious and the coast seemed clear. The expression says he already knows he is in trouble. A gentle lift down to the floor, and the lesson is learned, at least until tomorrow.

More from this collection

All 37 →
Cinnamon Abyssinian cat sitting among the wreckage of a fallen wooden bookshelf with paperbacks scattered across the floor.The Bookshelf Came Down. Look Who's Sitting on Top of It Now.Seal point Birman cat with blue eyes lying on a table beside a notebook with torn, shredded pages scattered around.The Cat Really Did Eat the Homework. There's a Furry Witness.
Pink hairless Sphynx cat sitting in a hallway covered in shredded toilet paper, looking up with a wrinkled, grumpy face.The Whole Hallway Is White. The Sphynx in the Middle Isn't Sorry.Ruddy Abyssinian cat sitting on a wooden floor next to a torn paper bag of dog kibble spilling across the boards.The Dog Food Bag Is Torn Open. She Refuses to Even Look at It.Seal point Siamese cat wrapped in a torn linen curtain on a rug, looking up with wide blue eyes.The Linen Curtain Is in Shreds. The Siamese Is Wearing What's Left.Silver tabby American Shorthair cat sitting beside a toppled black trash can with garbage scattered across the floor.The Kitchen Trash Can Tipped Over. Sergeant Whiskers Is Very Pleased.