Why Are Cats Scared of Cucumbers? These Veterinarians Let the Cat Out of the Bag

If you're a fan of cat videos and internet memes (and who isn't?), chances are you've come across the infamous "cat scared of cucumber" clips. The premise is simple: a cat owner strategically places a cucumber out of sight of their unsuspecting feline, usually while the pet is preoccupied with a full food bowl. When the cat eventually notices the long, green vegetable, either directly or from the corner of its eye, it typically reacts with a startled leap or a frantic scramble across the kitchen floor.

The underlying reason behind this curious behavior? Well, veterinarians suggest it could be linked to cats' instinctual fear response to potential threats, similar to how humans react to dangerous situations. According to Verna Serra, DVM from Veterinary Emergency Group, cucumbers might trigger cats' ingrained instinct to flee from snakes due to their resemblance in appearance. In essence, to a cat, a cucumber might initially appear akin to a venomous reptile, prompting a swift reaction to evade it.

This reaction isn't exclusive to cucumbers, notes feline veterinarian Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP, and president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. St. Denis explains that when presented with something unfamiliar—be it in smell, shape, or color—cats can exhibit alarm or distress.

When you scare your cat, as opposed to playing with him or engaging his hunting instincts with a toy, you're being unkind to your cat, says St. Denis. Your cat doesn't "get" practical jokes, and he doesn't appreciate a good scare the way you do watching horror movies.

"This type of trick can leave some cats nervous about their surroundings and distrustful of humans for extended periods of time," she says.

In addition, when you freak out your cat visually, you're taking advantage of one of your favorite feline's weak points: they're a bit farsighted.

"A cat's eyes focus best at a distance of six to 20 feet, so they have very poor close-up vision," says St. Denis. There's a chance you noticed this if you put a treat or a toy in front of your cat, and he needed to investigate and sniff to figure out what it was.

"Cats have a very strong sense of smell, much more sensitive than ours," she says, "so when they do find the treat, it's mostly by using their sense of smell."

If you're wondering whether your cat can eat a cucumber as a snack, they can, but getting them to eat it might be the hard part.

It's important to recognize that scaring your cat for entertainment isn't a harmless prank. According to St. Denis, subjecting your cat to unnecessary fright can lead to prolonged anxiety and a loss of trust towards humans. Additionally, exploiting a cat's visual limitations, such as their relatively poor close-up vision, to startle them is unfair and unkind.

Rather than resorting to such tactics, St. Denis advocates for engaging with your cat through play and interactive toys. By encouraging natural behaviors like hunting and play, you can foster a positive bond with your feline companion while avoiding unnecessary stress or anxiety. So, instead of reaching for a cucumber to provoke a reaction, consider investing in stimulating toys or activities that both you and your cat can enjoy together.