Why are cats scared of cucumbers?

Videos of cats and cucumbers have been filling our social media feeds for a while now, but for those of you who haven’t got a clue what we're talking about, the vids involve an unsuspecting kitty getting the fright of its little life when it turns around to find a cucumber has suddenly appeared. This trend has led pet parents, cat sitters, and people who are mad about mogs to question “why are cats scared of cucumbers?”. Here we'll explore just that - and explain why attempting to make one of these viral videos at home is a big no-no.

Why are cats scared of cucumbers?

Cats and cucumbers may be an unlikely duo, but is your feline friend actually scared of this long green fruit (yes, cucumber is technically a fruit, not a vegetable!)? Chances are, videos showing cats jumping out of their skin at the first sight of a cucumber might have more to do with its sudden, unexplainable appearance rather than the cucumber itself.

No one likes the thought of someone (or something) sneaking up behind them when they’re least expecting it, and spotting a long green object that wasn’t there a second ago is enough to give anyone the heebie-jeebies, especially if it’s almost the same size as you (cucumbers aren’t that much smaller than our furry felines when you think about it!). Add to that the fact that those creepy cucumbers sneak up on our feline friends when they’re most vulnerable and least expecting it. Imagine stepping out of the litter tray and…suddenly there’s a cucumber in front of you. You’re munching on your breakfast, turn around, and… what’s that green thing doing there?! It’s enough to turn anyone into a scaredy cat (not to mention the state of panic at the thought of the cucumber stealing your cat food!).

But could there be another reason why cats just can’t keep their cool around cucumbers? Maybe cats are afraid of cucumbers for another reason...

Is it because cats are scared of snakes?

The question “why are cats scared of cucumbers?” might have another logical explanation. Snakes are a common phobia for humans, so it wouldn’t be totally out of the question that our feline friends share the same fear. And cucumbers are kind of snakey, they’re long, green… well, that’s as far as it goes actually. So while we can draw some comparisons between snakes and cucumbers, the thing is, most cats aren’t actually scared of snakes in the first place. Cats are often more curious than scared, and may even mistake a slithery snake for their favourite wand toy. So unless your furry feline has had an unfortunate encounter with a snake, they’re more likely to expect it to play with them than run away from it. 

So why do cats hate cucumbers? It might have something to do with the smell. Our feline friends have a far better sense of smell than our canine companions, so chances are they get an unfamiliar whiff of that strange green fruit before they actually see it. But whatever the reason for a cat’s seemingly extreme reaction to cucumbers, it’s never a good idea to try scaring your cats with cucumbers, and here’s why.

Why you shouldn’t try scaring your cat with a cucumber

Although it might be funny to watch videos of cat vs cucumber, it’s not so funny for the poor puss. The fright can cause stress and panic which may lead to anxiety and even changes in cat behaviour altogether. Your feline friend may avoid certain areas it associates with the traumatic experience, some mogs will be too scared to go near their food bowls or use the litter tray in case the freaky fruit appears again. Sudden panic as cats turn around can also result in injury to themselves or others, and although they might trot past the dreaded cucumber looking happy as Larry minutes later, we’re sure their little hearts are still pounding.

So, why are cats afraid of cucumbers? There are a number of logical reasons, but the most likely explanation is that the sudden appearance of an unfamiliar object is what gives them a fright. While we’re on the topic of cats and cucumbers, find out whether they can stomach the green fruit and what other things our furry felines can and can’t eat.