Cat owners often watch their pets do funny things. The internet is full of videos showcasing funny reactions and odd behavior in cats. Viewers are particularly curious when they see cats bouncing off a fresh cucumber lying nearby.
What's in the video?
In popular compilations, often called "cat and cucumber," owners place a large fresh vegetable behind their cats' backs. When turning, the cats bump into it and bounce off, knocking over a bowl of water and causing riotous laughter from onlookers.
However, after watching many such videos, one can conclude that not all pets react the same way. Some don't experience such strong emotions, sniffing the object and rushing away from it as quickly as possible; others don't notice the object immediately, but become very frightened upon discovering it.
What is the reason for cats' terror?
The reason for such a violent reaction in cats is that the owner discreetly and quietly places a cucumber behind the pet while it is doing something that makes it completely vulnerable—drinking water or eating from a bowl, sleeping, washing itself, etc. The cat is startled and jumps out of surprise; this is a normal reaction to an unfamiliar object.
There are suggestions that this object also reminds animals of a snake, so when suddenly seeing it in their field of vision, the furry creature experiences anxiety, and its instinct for self-preservation is triggered, prompting it to flee.
For greater effect, some owners move the vegetable and make sounds that frighten the cat.
Are all cats afraid of cucumbers?
When cat owners first encounter videos like these, they immediately become curious to see if their cat will react the same way, and they begin experimenting. However, there are some cats who aren't frightened by the sudden appearance of a cucumber behind them.
This is because each animal has a different level of nervous system resilience. Therefore, calmer cats won't allow themselves to be caught off guard; they'll simply sniff the vegetable, recognize it as harmless, and continue their normal activities. Furthermore, some felines enjoy nibbling on fresh cucumbers and even playing with them.
A cat's reaction to a cucumber depends on their personality, which begins to develop in childhood. If your cat "disappointed" you with their calm reaction, it means they had a healthy childhood, free of fear and anxiety.
