Cat Owner Wonders If They Should Tell Neighbors That It's Their Cat Who's Been Ransacking Their Kitchen

"I thought of telling my neighbor about it, but I don't want to cause bad relations with them."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• September 4, 2023

Cats are creatures of boundless curiosity and adventurous spirit. Whether they're scaling fences, leaping from tree to tree, or going on midnight prowls, these feline explorers often seem to have their own secret lives that we humans are not privy to.

This innate curiosity is often what endears them to us, but it can also lead to some tricky situations, leaving cat owners to ponder the ethical implications of their pets' escapades. Take the case of a Reddit user who finds themselves grappling with a particularly unique moral dilemma involving their new neighbor and their culinary-inclined cat.

Would it be such a bad thing to admit your cat is a bit of a culinary kleptomaniac? The Reddit user who posted this question is in quite an ethical pickle.

They've got a new neighbor with a propensity for open garden doors and an adventurous rescue cat with a knack for five-finger discounts — or should we say, "five-paw discounts." From naan to chicken drumsticks, this cat is making rounds in the neighbors' kitchen when they're not looking, helping itself to some unauthorized snacks.

The moral quandary at hand is whether or not to confess to the neighbors that their family feline has been moonlighting as a furry little bandit. On the one hand, coming clean might hurt the newly blossoming relationship with the neighbors, and there's the lurking fear that the neighbors might retaliate against the cat.

On the other hand, not saying anything could result in increased tension once they discover the tiny thief's identity themselves. Read the full story below:

OP asks:

OP has a new neighbor with a propensity for open garden doors and an adventurous rescue cat

OP wonders if they should tell the truth

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

OP is TA for letting their cat roam the neighborhood

"Allowing this to continue is a violation of their trust."

If OP want the cat to explore, they have to make sure it is safe for it and others

"It is not their fault if your cat gets in their house."

Vets in the US and UK have different recommendations

"What if someone in that house is allergic to cats?"

It is good that the neighbor saw the funny side of it

The neighbor might not be mad at all

Transparency is usually the best policy, especially when you're getting to know new people you want to maintain a good relationship with. While the risk of a bad reaction exists, you can't control other people's emotions; you can only control your actions.

And in this case, giving a heads-up about your cat's behavior is the respectful thing to do. If you're worried about how they'll react, perhaps a peace offering (maybe replacing the naan and chicken drumstick?) could smooth things over.

In summary, OP should probably bite the bullet and confess. In a neighborhood setting where you have to live side by side for the foreseeable future, it's better to start on a foundation of honesty than build a house of cards that could crumble any minute.

Damjan