There's A Scientific Reason Cats Are Afraid Of Cucumbers (No, Really)

"Scaredy cat" is a common phrase for a reason. Felines are quirky creatures, and if your cat sees something spooky, they can have a dramatic reaction. It turns out your cool (as a cucumber, wink, wink) cat may get a little heated when confronted with a real-life cucumber. When they see one, they might leap out of the way, run and hide, or back away in suspicion, to the point that it has become a trend to sneak a cucumber into a cat's personal space and film their reaction when they finally notice it. Why does the long green vegetable (or fruit depending on who you ask) make them go berserk?

Believe it or not, there's a scientific reason cats are afraid of cucumbers. Cornell Feline Health Center's Behaviorist Specialist Dr. Pamela Perry said, "The cats in the videos may be reacting to the sudden appearance of a novel object." Some people believe cats mistake the cucumbers for snakes, but Dr. Perry pointed out that felines often hunt these reptiles and aren't necessarily wired to experience fear when they see one.

So, what's the more likely explanation? "Cats have different personalities," explained Perry. "It might be the fearful ones who are most likely to react to the appearance of a strange object behind them that was not there a minute earlier." It's telling that the viral videos of the prank are usually filmed while the cat calmly eats. They're relaxed, their guard is down, and they don't see it coming.

It's not a good idea to purposely pull the cucumber prank on your kitty. Dr. Gary Richter told Reader's Digest, "Unlike a practical joke played on a person, where the 'victim' understands what has happened ... the cat remains in the dark. They have no idea what just happened and they stand to suffer very real levels of stress and potentially significant behavioral changes as a result." That said, many pet parents buy cucumbers now and then! You may place them in an inconvenient spot and frighten your feline buddy by accident. If that happens, your cat may be able to recover quickly and resume their business.

Watch out for persistent signs that your cat is stressed, like pinned ears, hiding, or excessive grooming. If your kitty exhibits any of these markers minutes or hours after getting startled by a cucumber, there are a few things you can do to help calm them down. Make sure your living space is quiet, and clean. Respect your cat's boundaries; only try to cuddle and soothe them with pets if that's something they've historically responded to. Lastly, it could help to offer toys, puzzles, scratching posts, or other forms of stimulation to distract and comfort them.

Cucumbers aren't the only common trigger for felines. On the Fourth of July, fireworks commonly scare cats. Moving to a new place, bringing an unfamiliar pet or child into the home, and even redecorating can also make your kitty anxious. You can't avoid some of these scenarios, so it's all about doing what you can to build trust and a safe space for your cat, along with responding appropriately when they are clearly freaked out.

If your kitty seems perpetually spooked or stressed even without an obvious trigger, it's a good idea to consult with your veterinarian. You can also try a number of potentially useful cat calming home remedies, like synthetic pheromones, sprays, and catnip. You should only use these methods with approval from your cat's vet, but they can work wonders.

Sometimes, you may have to try a few different approaches to see what helps. Every cat is different (and perfect just the way they are!). It's up to their owners to make them feel as comfortable as possible. So, keep that cucumber tucked away in your fridge, and you and your kitty will be just fine.