There are numerous clips on the internet in which cats are terrified of the green vegetable. But why are cats actually afraid of cucumbers?
A few years ago, videos appeared for the first time in which cat owners frightened their four-legged friends with cucumbers. The phenomenon quickly developed into a viral trend and clips like this still occasionally end up on platforms such as Tiktok or Instagram. We explain why this is less funny than it first seems and where the fear of cucumbers in cats comes from.
Responsibility as a cat owner
First of all, pets like cats are not toys. They are living beings that you should treat with respect and care and not scare them for fun.
Even before you get a cat, you should learn about its behavior, body language, and needs. That way, you know what to expect and can respond better to it. After all, pets are not quick gifts — this is especially true of pets for children.
Internet videos with cats are often created for entertainment purposes and, not least, to generate clicks. Animal welfare is not always the top priority.
So, why are cats afraid of cucumbers
As absurd as the idea of a harmless cucumber causing fear and terror in cats may seem at first – on closer inspection, this reaction makes perfect sense. Animal behaviorist Dr. Jill Goldman notes that the four-legged friends could perceive the vegetable as a snake. You may even know the cucumber by the name ‘Suyu Long’.
According to Dr. Daphne Ketter, a veterinarian for behavioral medicine, the reaction of many cats can also be linked to the appearance of cucumbers. It resembles reptiles in terms of their surface structure, color, and shape. Objects that look like animals are often suspicious to four-legged friends.
Fear of cucumbers is linked to eating behavior
In addition to the appearance of the vegetable, how the four-legged friends come into contact with it is also important. Cats probably don’t like cucumbers because the vegetables are often placed very close behind them in the clips. This makes it difficult for them to assess what it is. According to Goldman, this is a surprise reaction. With this reaction, they first try to gain distance to assess the situation from a distance. Cats are often best able to recognize objects from a few meters away.
It is also confusing for the four-legged friends that the cucumbers in the videos are often placed near their feeding place. They actually regard this as a safe place. This makes it all the more irritating and frightening for cats when an unexpected object suddenly appears there. There are also videos that show that pets can also be frightened by other objects.
Why you shouldn’t scare your cat with a cucumber
Just like humans, not all cats are the same and react differently to cucumbers. Some cats are frightened by them, while others see them as harmless toys or even treats. However, make sure you feed your cat a healthy and sustainable diet. You can give her cucumber in small amounts, as long as she likes it and it doesn’t cause any problems.
Overall, don’t scare cats with cucumbers or frighten them. This causes unnecessary stress for the animals and betrays the trust they have built up with you. Your furry friends should also continue to perceive their feeding area as a safe place.
New toys can be an enrichment. However, it is important to introduce them to your cat carefully and gradually so that they can get used to them slowly. However, using pets for clicks, views and funny videos is often nothing more than animal cruelty.