 It's safe to say that cats and cucumbers have a tenuous relationship at best. Countless videos show cats jumping at the sight of them, but why are cats scared of cucumbers? Here's a closer look at cats and cucumbers, why kooks make cats crazy, and whether it's safe to startle your feline friend with them. Reasons why some cats are so jumpy. Most animals have evolved to possess a healthy fear of the unknown, but cats are naturally cautious and reactive creatures. Like dogs, which are pack animals, cats are lone hunters and lone eaters. This could explain why they tend to be more on guard than other types of pets. Now, this doesn't mean cats should be constantly nervous and it certainly doesn't mean they're antisocial. Healthy domesticated cats can be quite social and, as we all know, good owners should do everything in their power to make sure their homes are relaxed, safe environment for their furry friend. If you notice your cat is extremely skittish, a vet visit is in order. A professional may be able to pinpoint the cause of the anxiety and come up with a treatment plan on a case-by-case basis. Reasons why are cats scared of cucumbers. Much like the cat quirk of sitting on the floor in a box made out of tape, a cat jumping at the sight of a cucumber may seem like unusual behavior, but this response is based on instinct. If you're hoping to try this cucumber prank, keep in mind that it relies on the quiet placement of the cucumber just out of the cat's view. Once the cat turns to see what its human is doing, the cat may become startled by the unexpected presence of an object that wasn't there before. As the American Association of Feline Practitioners explains, cats have such a superior sense of smell and hearing that stress can occur due to strong or strange smells or sounds. Unless a cat spends a fair amount of time around produce, they are going to be on high alert when confronted with the strange smell of a cucumber. A cat may also get spooked at the sight of a cucumber for any of the following reasons. Intruder alert. The anxiety caused by the presence of a cucumber is compounded by the fact that this prank typically is pulled while a cat is eating. As many cat parents know, their fur babies feeding area is sacred ground. Cats are hardwired to be very territorial of their food, and for all they know, this cucumber may be poised to steal some kibble. A cat sees that cucumber is a threat, and when confronted with a threatening situation, explained Paw Chicago, cats respond with fear and anxiety. This instinctive reaction is visible when a cat is surprised by a cucumber, jumping up or, conversely, freezing in place, fur standing up, yelping, and so on. Fear of snakes. A commonly held belief is that cats are frightened by cucumbers because they look like snakes. At first glance it makes some sense, cucumbers are long, narrow, and they even have a bit of a curve to them as a snake would. Some people like to think these characteristics may cucumber snake like. So when your cat turns around and sees not just something that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, but something that also looks remarkably like a snake and then jumps in terror, these people argue that it's because your cat thought it was a snake. Of course, after the initial jump scare, most cats will realize that the encroaching predator is really just produced. In fact, if you place the cucumber in front of your cat, as opposed to behind them, they won't jump back in fear because they will know that it's not a predator at all. The other problem with the snake hypothesis is that most cats are actually curious about snakes. If they find one in the garden they may paw at them and think they aren't too dissimilar to their favorite string toy. Unless they've actually been bitten by a snake, your cat may not realize a snake is something that can hurt them. So while cucumbers resembling snakes being the cause for the terror seems like a fitting idea on the surface, your cat is probably more frightened at the prospect of something sneaking up on them, rather than something that looks like a snake sneaking upon them. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out, BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife, to get 20% off. Cats don't want the cucumber to be behind them. Another idea is that the sudden appearance of the cucumber is what scares the cat. This is similar to startling someone by sneaking up behind them, Vecal Delgado, a certified cat behavior consultant who studied animal behavior in human pet relationships as a PH. D. Student at the University of California, Berkeley, told Mental Floss. Reports and videos of other fruits and vegetables scaring cats, including apples and bananas, reinforce the likelihood of this theory. Jill Goldman, a certified animal behaviorist in Southern California, explains that the cucumbers are triggering a cat's natural startle responses. With a startle response, a cat will often try to get out of there as quickly as possible and then reassess from a distance, she says. Other natural cat instincts are also confusing, which is why you'll want to read how to decode your cat's behavior. It's important to know what's good for your cat, instead of just following stereotypes. Scaring Cat with a Cucumber. It's entertaining to watch cats perform antics like cat zoomies, around the house, or in videos, but scaring your kitty for entertainment value isn't fun for them. It causes cats unnecessary stress and anxiety, signs of which include trembling and aggression. Several issues with stress include vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss. Cats that feel stressed or threatened will look for an escape route, which can lead to physical injury as they are jumping, leaping, or running away. Although the video is showing cats afraid of cucumbers and other fruits are entertaining, experts advise against trying any similar pranks at home with your pet. 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. Cats aren't big fans of water, either hears how to bathe your cat without getting scratched. But that's not the only time you could unintentionally be harming your cat. There are some 12 other dangerous mistakes cat owners should never make. Don't scare your cat on purpose. The cucumbers are always placed behind the back of an unsuspecting cat, who turns around and reacts with fear. Seriously, please don't terrorize your feline friend. Though the over-the-top reactions can be funny to viewers, the cat's fear is real, unnecessary, and possibly dangerous. Stress can cause behavioral and physiological issues with kitties, especially ones that are already prone to anxiety. If you're lucky enough to have been chosen by a cat, don't mess with their emotions by intentionally frightening them. Safe Playtime. Bringing new objects into the home can be a good source of mental stimulation for pets, but it shouldn't be done with the goal of freaking them out. Trying to starle your cat on purpose could cause them to injure themselves. Break something, or lead to prolonged stress. Instead, it's best to introduce any novel items gradually. You wouldn't want to meet someone new by having them shoved right in your face. You've want to meet them from a safe distance, such as a few arm lengths. The same is true with cats. It's also true that each animal will respond to situations uniquely, as do human beings. Some cats, like some people, are more easily startled than others. Cats and Cucumbers. Rather than play tricks on your cat, why not offer cucumbers as a refreshing snack? A cat won't associate a sliced or diced cucumber with the tubular object that scares the daylights out of them. Like other fruits that are safe for cats, cucumbers are a safe snack for your kitty. Offer them a small, seedless chunk of cucumber, but never the plant leaves, which are toxic, and see what happens. Before offering your cat other people foods, always do your research. There are many foods that are toxic to cats. It may seem harmless, but using a cucumber to get a jump scare out of your kitty isn't healthy for their physical or emotional well-being. Instead, engage your furry friend in safe, fun activities that strengthen your loving bond. If you enjoyed this video, kindly press the like button. Also, don't forget to subscribe with notifications on, so that you don't miss out on videos like this. Thank you for watching.