Owner Leaves Cat for 5 Minutes—His Paws Quickly Reveal What He's Been Doing

An owner left their cat alone for five minutes and caught them "yellow-handed" after he had helped himself to a pot of jollof rice, leaving the internet in stitches.

The cat mom, @herworld_always, shared the aftermath of his feast—the white cat with oil-stained paws and mouth—on TikTok, where it garnered 238,500 likes and 942,600 views.

"Snowy! Guys, what are you eating? The jollof rice. Come here! Come!" she could be heard saying in the footage.

"There's oil stains all over his paws! On his mouth! Look at his mouth! Look!" she continued, showing the yellow-tinged cat.

Snowy the cat. The internet were left in stitches after the owner discovered his jollof stained fur, herworld_always/herworld_always

"I left him alone for 5 minutes with the big pot of jollof," she wrote as the text overlaying the video.

A beloved West African dish, jollof rice is a flavorful one-pot meal made with tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices.

The Internet Reacts

The video prompted a flood of comments from amused viewers.

"By the way, those stains will never go. My cat ate bolognese, and his chin is literally stained orange," one user shared.

"IS HE PURRING? THE AUDACITY," exclaimed another.

"I thought jollof was pretty spicy. For a cat to eat it is insane," said one viewer.

"My boy caught yellow-handed," joked another.

"He seems very happy with the situation," added a commenter.

How to Stop Cats from Stealing Food

Preventing feline food theft requires a mix of vigilance and training, according to PetsRadar.

Cat owners should ensure they secure leftovers in sealed containers or place them in the fridge immediately after serving.

Bored cats can turn to stealing for entertainment, so it is advised to offer toys or treats to keep felines entertained.

Good behavior should be rewarded with treats and consistent cues of "no" or "off" can be used to discourage food theft.

How to Remove Stains from Cats

If your feline friend ends up with food stains, like Snowy, here are some tips from The Seep Company's blog to clean them naturally and safely.

Sprinklling cornstarch or baking soda on the stained fur to absorb oils before wiping it off gently with a damp cloth is a good option. Owners can also use a small amount of cat-safe, mild dish soap diluted with water to gently clean the affected area, although they are advised to avoid harsh chemicals or essential oils.

Pre-moistened cat wipes can help remove stains without irritating their skin. Ensure they're free of fragrances or harmful chemicals.

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