Cats and Cucumbers

Why are cats afraid of cucumbers? Tons of funny videos of cats being afraid of cucumbers are going viral. But there's a reason why these green fruits frighten cats-and why you shouldn't try it with yours. In these videos, the felines face away, and their owners secretly place a cucumber behind them. When the cats turn around, they are startled by the fruit that wasn't there beforehand, often leaping back. Although both the videos and the cat reactions are shocking, the question remains as to why are cats afraid of cucumbers.

owners secretly place a cucumber behind them. When the cats turn around, they are startled by the fruit that wasn't there beforehand, often leaping back. Although both the videos and the cat reactions are shocking, the question remains as to why are cats afraid of cucumbers. There are a few theories, but no definitive answer. Most experts agree that it isn't necessarily the cucumber itself that scares cats. One of the most popular explanations is that cucumbers remind cats of snakes. Some exprets say that cats are genetically hard-wired through instinct to avoid snakes. Cats don't want the cucumber to be behind them. Although the videos showing cats afraid of cucumbers and other fruits are entertaining, experts advise against trying any similar pranks at home with your cat; doing so isn't good for their health. National Geographic reports trying to do so could cause cats to injure themselves, break something, or lead to prolonged stress.