Did you know that cats are scared of cucumbers?

[AllThingsTech]

Placing a cucumber behind a cat while it’s eating appears to startle them, causing some cats to leap into the air with fright. Cats’ natural startle reflexes, where they often try to get out as quickly as possible and reassess from a distance, are triggered, according to a certified animal behaviourist.

Why are cats scared of cucumbers?

Placing a cucumber behind a cat causes them to leap into the air in fright

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Retro]

I've moved this to Serious Animals, because cats are scared shitless by this, not happy. It does look a bit funny and facepalmy even to me who loves cats, but one shouldn't cause this kind of sudden stress to cats, who are naturally highly strung animals already. It's ok to talk about this subject however, so the thread stays up.

Everyone: please don't post videos of such startled cats though. You can find them easily enough with a Google search if you want to see what it looks like.

 

[AllThingsTech]

Oops! Sorry Retro, I somehow missed that section!

 

[Retro]

S'ok, I know you didn't mean anything by it.

 

[AllThingsTech]

It does look a bit funny and facepalmy even to me who loves cats, but one shouldn't cause this kind of sudden stress to cats, who are naturally highly strung animals already.

Cats may mistake cucumber for snakes, potential deadly predators. There’s also the territorial concern where cucumbers are placed by the cat food, given the cat’s perception as a threat to its food source!

I know you’re a cat lover @Retro , wondered if you were previously aware of this?

 

[AllThingsTech]

@Mars

@Tiffany

@aussiefooty

@FF

@Hitcore

@data66

y’all cat lovers, ya gonna love this thread