Why you shouldnt scare cats with cucumbers?

It's safe to say that cats and cucumbers have a tenuous relationship at best. Countless videos show cats jumping at the sight of them, but why are cats scared of cucumbers? Here's a closer look at cats and cucumbers: Why cukes make cats crazy, and whether it's safe to startle your feline friend with them.

Why Are Cats Scared of Cucumbers?

Much like the cat quirk of sitting on the floor in a "box" made out of tape, a cat jumping at the sight of a cucumber may seem like unusual behavior, but this response is based on instinct. If you're hoping to try this cucumber prank, keep in mind that it relies on the quiet placement of the cucumber just out of the cat's view. Once the cat turns to see what their human is doing, the cat may become startled by the unexpected presence of an object that wasn't there before.

As the American Association of Feline Practitioners, explains, cats have such a superior sense of smell (and hearing) that "stress can occur due to strong or strange smells or sounds." Unless a cat spends a fair amount of time around produce, they are going to be on high alert when confronted with the strange smell of a cucumber. A cat may also get spooked at the sight of a cucumber for any of the following reasons.

Intruder Alert

The anxiety caused by the presence of a cucumber is compounded by the fact that this prank typically is pulled while a cat is eating. As many cat parents know, their fur baby's feeding area is sacred ground. Cats are hard-wired to be very territorial of their food, and for all they know, this cucumber may be poised to steal some kibble. A cat sees that cucumber is a threat, and when confronted with a "threatening situation," explain PAWS Chicago, cats respond with fear and anxiety. This instinctive reaction is visible when a cat is surprised by a cucumber: jumping up or, conversely, freezing in place; fur standing up; yelping and so on.

Fear of Snakes

Although domestic cats are still more predator than prey, there are a few hunters that prey on cats, including coyotes, birds of prey and snakes. Some experts theorize that cats associate the shape of a cucumber with that of a snake; however, not all agree with this theory. Not only do cats sometimes hunt snakes, says Dr. Pamela Perry, a behavioral specialist at Cornell Feline Health Center, but depending on their personality, some cats are more easily frightened: "It might be the fearful ones who are most likely to react to the appearance of a strange object behind them that was not there a minute earlier." Dr. Perry cautions that with consistent teasing, a cat will associate fear with the human playing the prank, not just the cucumber.

Is It Safe to Scare My Cat with a Cucumber?

It's entertaining to watch cats perform antics like cat zoomies, around the house or in videos, but scaring your kitty for entertainment value isn't fun for them. It causes cats unnecessary stress and anxiety, signs of which include trembling and aggression. Medical issues with stress include vomiting, diarrhea and hair loss. Cats that feel stressed or threatened will look for an escape route, which can lead to physical injury as they are jumping, leaping or running away.

Can Cats Eat Cucumbers?

Rather than play tricks on your cat, why not offer cucumbers as a refreshing snack? Your cat won't associate a sliced or diced cucumber with the tubular object that scares the daylights out of them.

Like other fruits that are safe for cats, cucumbers are a safe snack for your kitty. Offer them a small, seedless chunk of cucumber (but never the plant leaves, which are toxic) and see what happens. Before offering your cat other people foods, always do your research; there are many foods that are toxic to cats.

It may seem harmless, but using a cucumber to get a jump scare out of your kitty isn't healthy for their physical or emotional well-being. Instead, engage your furry friend in safe, fun activities that strengthen your loving bond.

Christine O'Brien

Christine Brovelli-O'Brien, Ph.D., is an award-winning writer, long-time pet mom, and a professional member of the Cat Writers' Association (CWA). Find and follow Christine on Instagram @brovelliobrien

By now you are probably aware of the internet craze that involves scaring cats with cucumbers (who comes up with these things??). Of course, the people taking these videos thinks they’re hilarious. The cats? No so much. (Or us!)

In case you are not aware of what we are talking about, here is one such video:

It’s clear this is a strong, violent reaction. This is not a mild, “oh, that surprised me but I am going to go and investigate it.” Most of these cats throw themselves into the air and into the nearby walls in a panic-stricken attempt to get away from the cucumber.

Dr. Frank McMillan, Director of Well-Being Studies for Best Friends Animal Society, said intentionally scaring your pet for the sake of creating a humorous moment can lead instead to injury or behavior issues. Here’s why.

Why do cats react this way? Is it Instinct?

Dr. McMillan: The intense, automatic, and immediate nature of the response suggests a strong innate (instinctual) fear. This would mean that something during the cat’s evolutionary past that resembled this object or situation posed an urgent danger that required a rapid response. But what would that be? We don’t yet know. The most likely reason to evolve such a fear would be the sudden appearance of a predator.  An animal that is itself a predator – like a cat – doesn’t mean it can’t be prey for another species. The cucumber may bear a resemblance to a snake (or a large snake head). But perhaps it is something else, such as a weasel.

Pets feel safe in their environment, and anything you do to change that violates that trust and shatters the bond you have with your pet. The other thing that can happen is that your cat can learn that the food area is no longer a safe place. Imagine a cat afraid to eat!

McMillan says that frightening a cat even with something as harmless as a cucumber could lead to serious injury as the cat’s “reflex fear reaction is very forceful and the cat could crash into furniture or land on something injurious.”

Stressed cats aren’t fun pets. Anxiety can cause issues such as destructive behavior and not using the litter box. Such issues are commonly named as reasons as to why cats are taken to shelters. 

You mention a stressed cat is not a fun pet. When you scare your cat, what are the potential side-effects?

Dr. McMillan: There are 3 major consequences of a newly acquired fear.

• First is the most obvious – that the actual or threatened presence of the object of fear creates a fearful state of mind that impairs quality of life.
• Second, it can create a sense of insecurity in one’s own home environment, since scary events might happen anytime, anywhere.
• Third, the fear can generalize to anything related to the frightening event. For example, if a cat were repeatedly frightened by a cucumber as it finished eating the cat might become fearful of the food bowl, that part of the kitchen, or even the entire kitchen.

Could such “jokes” lead a cat to be unfriendly towards people as well? 

Dr. McMillan: Fearful, yes, because of the way fear can generalize. If a cat were to be repeatedly frightened with a person nearby, the cat’s brain could connect that person with the fear, even if the person had nothing to do with causing the fear. If the cat perceives the person as being the cause of the scare, then such a response would be very likely (as nature intended it to be). If “be unfriendly towards” means “be aggressive toward,” that is possible but much less likely than to become fearful and thus avoidant of that person.

So next time you want a cute cat video, trying filming your cat in a box.

Both you and the kitty will have a grand time, without the possibility of negative side effects resulting from it. Please share this to educate others!