46 Cats Who Are Up To No Good But Are Still Cute ~ CR MAG

46 Cats Who Are Up To No Good But Are Still Cute Gabija PalšytėOctober 1, 2025 at 8:20 AM 0 Cats are naturally full of playful curiosity, driven by their instincts to hunt, explore, and observe their surroundings.

- - 46 Cats Who Are Up To No Good But Are Still Cute

Gabija PalšytėOctober 1, 2025 at 8:20 AM

Cats are naturally full of playful curiosity, driven by their instincts to hunt, explore, and observe their surroundings. Sometimes they have a weird way of doing that, getting themselves in all kinds of shenanigans, from being stuck in blinds to raiding the pantry when owners aren't looking. Their stealth while doing so resembles a criminal, but thanks to their cuteness, they avoid spending their nine lives behind bars. Many instances of such feline tomfoolery can be found over on 'Crime Cats' subreddit, which we scoured to create your purrfect Wednesday pick-me-up. Scroll down to find it below, and don't forget to upvote your favorites!

#1 The Funyun Stealer

Image credits: Atlantic_Token

#2 Ms Catalie Purrtman Deserves To Be Here

Image credits: BlueJeanBurl

#3 This Is Motorboat High On Catnip

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According to experts, such weird cat behavior can be boiled down to one word—curiosity. They were blessed with this trait by their ancestors, who are mesopredators, both predators and prey.

"Cats must always be aware of what is going on in their surroundings. They can't afford to miss an opportunity to eat, but they must also be cautious of any dangers," says Mikel Delgado, Ph.D., Rover's resident cat expert on The Pet People Panel. To survive, cats have to be naturally curious and constantly observe, investigate, and learn.

#4 Robbery In Progress, Send All Available Units

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#5 We Still Haven't Been Able To Locate The Perp

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#6 You Were Kinda Asking For It

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They are also good hunters and highly intelligent animals—a combination that makes it hard for them to stay still. "Lively minds are by definition curious," said philanthropist and researcher Stephen Grand, Ph.D. "Cats frequently get themselves stuck up in trees, jammed in trash cans, or peppered with hedgehog quills—all in the name of curiosity."

#7 If I Fits, I'm The New Bird Seed

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#8 Attack!

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#9 Expurrt Prowler

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Experts say the strong curiosity likely forms during kittenhood. "Kittens tend to be more curious because they are learning about things in their environment that they have never encountered before," Dr. Delgado says. "To determine if something is safe, a kitten might want to watch it, slowly approach it, and maybe touch, smell or taste it."

#10 You Fed The Dog First For The Last Time

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#11 My House Now

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#12 Just Moved To An Appartement On The Ground Floor With A Garden, This Is Not My Cat

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This sense of curiosity doesn't disappear with age, but older cats may become more wary and calmer, as they face fewer new experiences with age. "A cat's sensitive period is between two and nine weeks of age," Dr. Delgado explains. "After that, it's not that the door for learning is closed, but they may be slower to form positive associations with new experiences and may be more wary."

#13 My Evil Plan Is Working!

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#14 Caught In The Act!

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#15 I Was Just Dusting Them

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One behavior that cats are led to do out of curiosity that people might see as mischievous is scoping out the countertops or pantries for a snack, even directly following a meal. Their search for food can be led by curiosity too, not only because of hunger cues.

"If cats were to wait until they were hungry before hunting, they would run a high risk of starving to death due to the difficult nature of hunting and capturing prey," International Cat Care explains. The curious cats are simply seeking out their next meal in the event that a dinner isn't served.

#16 Left Some Sauce On The Counter While I Was Outside And When I Came Back Some Was Missing. I Wonder Who Did It

Image credits: a13524

#17 Why He Do This?

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#18 I Was Trying To Help, I Swear!

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That said, curiosity shouldn't be confused with aggressive behavior. If owners notice any change in their feline's behavior, they should consider visiting a vet. When aggressive behavior appears, it's possible that they simply need an engaging environment to satisfy their curiosity, as indoor environments can stifle their natural instincts, leaving many cats under-stimulated and bored. Therefore, owners have to find healthy outlets for their natural behaviors like climbing, scratching, and hunting.

#19 Art And The Artist

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#20 Bicycle Thief

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#21 Calling On Dark Forces To Complete His Evil Plans

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This can be done with interactive play using interactive toys like feather wands or toy mice to mimic hunting behaviors. Playtimes should last 10-15 minutes twice daily to keep your pet active. It's also advised to rotate toys regularly to keep things fresh and exciting. Food time can also be engaging by utilizing food puzzles and hiding food to encourage felines to 'hunt' for it.

#22 And If You Tell Anyone!

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#23 Hello 911? There's An Intruder In The House!

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#24 Rules? I Scoff In The Face Of Rules!

Image credits: Dark_Signs8

Another great tip to redirect a cat's curiosity from naughty behaviors is to install vertical spaces they can climb and even scratch their nails on. If it's possible, try to set up a window view for your cat so they can watch the outside world. Bonus points if you add a bird feeder outside for added entertainment. Lastly, DIY obstacle courses and hiding spots should get their energy out and should put an end to unwanted behaviors sparked by innocent curiosity.

#25 Tablecloth Artist