People have been sharing videos showcasing their cats’ dramatic reactions to cucumbers. The trick involves placing a cucumber behind a cat while it’s eating, which often startles the animal and causes it to leap in fear.
This phenomenon has led to the creation of a dedicated subReddit called ‘CucumbersScaringCats,’ where users share videos of their attempts to replicate the trick with their own cats.
Jill Goldman, a certified animal behaviorist, explained to National Geographic that cucumbers trigger the cats’ natural startle reflexes. “When startled, a cat will usually try to escape quickly and then reassess the situation from a safe distance,” she said, clarifying their fearful responses.
According to Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of Think Like a Cat, placing cucumbers near a cat’s feeding area can add to their confusion because these areas are typically associated with safety.
Goldman also mentioned that cats might associate cucumbers with snakes, which are potential predators, further intensifying their reaction.
