Why are cats afraid of cucumbers? Responses from scientists and videos

Let's talk about why cats are afraid of cucumbers. This is a great reason to relax and forget about difficulties and problems for a moment.

Recently, videos have appeared on the Internet with cats scared of cucumbers. They managed to gain popularity in the shortest possible time. While the pet is having a meal, the owner imperceptibly lays behind a green cucumber. After eating, the animal turns away from the bowl, notices a foreign object and begins to panic.

Such an amazing reaction of cats to a harmless vegetable managed to attract the attention of viewers who began to conduct similar experiments at home. Today we will figure out why this happens, and what makes cats afraid of cucumbers.

I have a dog and two cats at home. After the video I saw, I conducted similar experiments, and based on my experience I will single out a number of fear factors. I think you are interested in learning the answers to the question why cats are afraid of cucumbers.

Surprise. The cat is very afraid of the sudden appearance of the subject. During the meal, the animal relaxes as much as possible. Therefore, at the sight of a new object, the cat begins to panic and randomly rush around.
Instinct. Almost every creature on the planet has phobias, cats are no exception. Some are afraid of rodents, others are reptiles, and still others are shaggy spiders. Perhaps a large cucumber is associated with a snake in a cat. Moreover, her fear is caused by the natural instincts of self-preservation, which appear at the time of danger.
Intimidation. If you carefully watch some videos, you will notice that in some cases there are traces of teeth and claws on the surface of the vegetable. If the owner previously teased the pet with a cucumber, there is nothing surprising in the fright of the animal. The pet takes a harmless cucumber as a threat.

I just shared with you my personal opinion about why cucumber in cats causes fear and leads to severe fright if it is put quietly behind. Now we find out what experts in this field and people who breed cats think about this.

What scientists have found

What did scientists find out? How will science explain the fear of cucumber cats?

According to experts, a cat can really be afraid of a cucumber, but it's not a vegetable. The fault of the circumstances in which the animal meets him. The pet’s body automatically responds to the appearance of a vegetable, which usually does not lie on the floor. In such a situation, the cat seeks to quickly move to a safe distance and consider everything from afar. In addition, a cucumber can resemble a snake, and mammals are not friends with it.
According to the second assumption, in the videos the cucumber appears in the place where the pet eats. The animal considers this zone as safe as possible. As for the violent reaction, it is explained by the novelty and unexpected appearance of the object, which managed to get silently to the cat. As you know, these animals are very attentive and discreetly getting to them is problematic.
Social Users networks claim that the pet will be scared and any other object, such as a zucchini or banana. The point is not in the object, but in its unexpected appearance. A similar effect will provide curling or corn.

Veterinarians do not recommend experimenting in this way with their pets. During such an experiment, a cat can be physically injured if it breaks a vase or other interior item or psychological problems, including stress and a continuous sense of anxiety.

Why Russian cats are not afraid of cucumbers

Are cats that are born hunters fear this harmless vegetable? Perhaps the American brothers are more cowardly? To find out the truth was possible only experimentally.

First of all, my cat took part in the experiment. Despite the efforts, he was not afraid of the cucumber. Instead of running away, he pressed a defenseless vegetable with his paw, bit off a piece and swallowed it with pleasure. Is my cat an exception? As it turned out, no.
We conducted a new experiment with a friend, inviting her to participate in the event of her cat. The result has not changed. On the contrary, the animal considered the vegetable a toy and joyfully involved him in the game. Even the surprise effect that is present in the video on Youtube did not work.
Our colleagues conducted such experiments. The reaction of all the cats was calm. None of the pets escaped or hissed. Apparently, Russian cats are real daredevils.

After that, I had the opportunity to chat with an expert. Here is what I found out. Videos that appeared on the network - an elementary successful selection. A cat can be scared of any unexpectedly appearing item. This is because these cautious animals always control their territory and do not like surprises.