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A ruddy Abyssinian cat holds a half-eaten hot dog bun in its mouth on a wooden floor in a messy living room. 8 / 26

Pepper the Abyssinian Made a Run for It With Lunch in Her Mouth

AI imageabyssinian catstolen snackliving room

There is no denying it: Pepper the ruddy Abyssinian has a hot dog bun clamped in her jaws, bite marks and all. She stands frozen on the wooden floor with her golden-green eyes wide and her huge ears tilted forward, caught mid-getaway. Crumbs scatter around her paws, a gray sock lies nearby, and a laundry basket and a rumpled blanket sit in the background. The whole thing looks like a heist that was going well until the lights came on.

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their bodies are built to get most of their nutrition from meat, but plenty of cats are still tempted by bread and other human snacks. Often it is the smell, the texture or simply the thrill of taking something that is not theirs. Abyssinians are especially bold and clever, and they are known for finding ways onto counters and into cupboards. A bite of plain bread will not usually cause trouble, but many human foods are not good for cats, and some, like onions, garlic and anything sweetened with certain sugar substitutes, can be harmful. It is safest to keep people food out of reach and offer cat treats instead. If you are unsure about something your cat ate, a quick call to your vet is a good idea.

Pepper will probably still be eyeing the next picnic. Fast paws and a poker face make a very determined thief.

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