Why Are Cats Startled by Cucumbers? An Explanation of Why They Run Away

There was a time when videos of cats reacting to cucumbers by jumping with incredible force went viral. While some commented that "the reaction is funny," many others felt it was "cruel."

Why are cats surprised by cucumbers? This article explains why cats react with surprise to cucumbers and whether it's even okay to feed cucumbers to cats in the first place.

Reasons why cats are surprised by cucumbers

There are several possible reasons why cats are surprised by cucumbers. Here are two main reasons.

1. They resemble snakes.

The first reason is that they resemble snakes. Long, thin, and green cucumbers can remind cats of snakes, which are their natural predators.

Cats' ancestors originally lived in deserts where snakes were their natural enemies. It is also said that when cats hiss, they are mimicking the sound of their predator, the snake.

They likely instinctively perceive cucumbers as dangerous snakes and flee.

2. They are seeing it for the first time.

The second reason is that they are seeing something for the first time. Humans also get startled and scared when something they've never seen before suddenly appears in front of them, and it's the same for cats.

Cats, in particular, are very cautious and feel intense fear towards unfamiliar objects. They are startled by a cucumber they've never seen before, thinking, "What is this?!"

Incidentally, cats that live on farms and are used to seeing cucumbers on a daily basis may not be surprised because they are accustomed to them.

Cucumber pranks are nothing but stress for cats.

Many people seem to have tried the same thing after seeing videos of cats being startled by cucumbers. However, for cats, cucumber pranks are nothing but stress. Even if the owner intended it as a prank, the cat only feels terror.

Many experts, including certified animal behaviorist Jill Goldman in the US and John Bradshaw, who studies cats at a UK university, have commented that "it's not good to playfully do things that cause stress to cats."

Furthermore, there are significant risks that can arise from playing cucumber pranks on your beloved cat.

There's a chance they could get injured from jumping in surprise.

A cat startled by a cucumber will jump and flee with incredible force. If they hit a nearby wall or furniture with the momentum of their jump, they could get injured.

Also, because they experience intense fear and jump quite high, there's a possibility of fracturing a bone if they land poorly. If you playfully prank your beloved cat and they get injured, you would be filled with regret.

They will start to distrust their owner.

It's highly likely that playing a prank will damage the relationship with your beloved cat. Cats will develop distrust towards an owner who has subjected them to such frightening and startling behavior.

Cats perceive their eating area as safe, so violating that safe space will also cause them to lose trust in their owner.

Cats are sensitive, so once trust is lost, it's very difficult to regain it. They might even start exhibiting aggressive behavior towards their owner. Never prank your beloved cat lightly, just to "see their reaction."

Is it okay to feed cucumbers to cats?

So far, I've explained that it's not good to startle cats with cucumbers, but some of you may be wondering, "Is it okay to feed them?"

There's generally no problem with feeding cucumbers to cats. Cucumbers are over 90% water and are a low-calorie food. Because they are mostly water, they are sometimes given to cats that don't drink much water during hot summers to help them stay hydrated.

However, eating too much can put a strain on their digestive system and potentially cause diarrhea or vomiting, so caution is needed. Also, they may have allergies, so be careful when giving cucumbers to your cat. Do not give them cold; let them return to room temperature, cut them into small pieces, and only give a small amount.

That said, they are not a food rich in nutrients, and cats are carnivores anyway, so there's no particular need to give them cucumbers. They get enough nutrition from their food.

Summary

Knowing why cats are startled by cucumbers makes you realize you wouldn't intentionally do it. Please do not engage in behavior that stresses your cat, even if it's just to see a cute reaction. A single act can cause you to lose the trust of your precious cat. If you truly care about your cat, choose actions that convey love rather than those that scare them.

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