Why are cats scared of cucumbers? Vets explain this confounding prank

• The cat and cucumber prank usually involves a human placing a cucumber behind a cat while they eat.
• When the cat turns around and unexpectedly finds the cucumber, they may jump in fright.
• This is because the cucumber activates their prey instinct, which means it could stress your cat out.

The internet is brimming with videos of wide-eyed cats, jumping or running away from cucumbers. And while they are meant to provide a laugh, animal experts say that this is a trend that can harm your cat and your relationship with them in the long run. 

Continue reading to learn why cats are scared of cucumbers, and why you shouldn't have a laugh at your cat's expense. 

Why are cats scared of cucumbers?

Cats are predators, but they're also prey. Although they're domesticated, they have a deep instinct to always be on the lookout for danger, especially other animals that might want to make them lunch. 

Most cat-cucumber videos involve someone putting a cucumber somewhere a cat would not expect it, like next to their water bowl or in a doorway. That triggers a cat's fear-defense instincts. This is similar to the human fight or flight response. 

Really, the cat's response has nothing to do with the cucumber in particular.

Joey Lusvardi, a cat behavior consultant, says humans and other animals would likely have a similar response. 

"If you're digging for something in your fridge and when you turn around, there's a box sitting on the ground behind you that wasn't there before, you're likely going to be startled and confused," he says. "The box itself probably isn't frightening, but that's not a natural thing to have happen."

Is it safe to prank my cat with a cucumber? 

Wondering whether you should get in on the cat-cuke trend?

"The answer is, without question, no," Lusvardi says. "They're extremely frightened and you're purposefully inducing fear in your cat."

That, he says, is just mean. And over time, it could lead to behavioral issues. 

"Your cat may go into defense mode which can range from running away from the source of fear or even attacking it," Lusvardi says. If that happens your cat might end up unintentionally attacking you, other cats, or other animals in the home. 

If you do this too much, your cat will not feel safe at home, particularly in areas where you've placed a cucumber before, like a food bowl.  

"It's a very cruel trick that teaches a cat its food bowl is not a safe place, and, if done repeatedly, can psychologically damage the cat by causing it to stress out any time it is in that location," she says. 

Over time, chronic stress can lead to withdrawal, aggression, increased stretching, toileting outside of the litter box, and other negative behaviors. 

Instead of trying to get a laugh at your cat's expense, take time to bond with them. Follow their lead, letting them initiate attention like pats. When they engage with you, use positive reinforcement by offering them a treat or playing with them. 

Insider's takeaway

Like many questionable social media trends, scaring your cat with a cucumber is something you shouldn't do. 

"It doesn't just benefit your cat, so skip out on this trend,"  Lusvardi says. 

Frightening your cat with a cucumber can make them feel stressed out and fearful at home. Over time, that can cause negative behaviors like aggression and marking their territory with urine.

Correction: January 3, 2023 — An earlier version of this story quoted Amanda Takiguchi, a veterinarian who alerted us that a scammer had been impersonating her on a website that connects journalists with expert sources. We have removed any mention of Takiguchi's name from the article.

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