The fact that the cucumbers are often placed near feeding stations in the videos confuses the cats because they often associate those areas with safety and security, adds Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of Think Like a Cat. "That's a cruel thing to do," she says.
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.
The mystery of why cats hate cucumbers is normally explained by the natural fear cats have towards snakes. To a feline's eyes a cucumber can look similar enough to the pesky reptile to elicit their fear response and make them jump a few feet in the air to avoid being bitten.
Cats are hypersensitive to their surroundings, so it's the sudden appearance of a random object that has them spooked. Cucumbers also look quite snake-like on first glance, so this may be why this vegetable provokes such an extreme reaction. Please don't try this at home, though – it's stressful for the cats!
"Anything that looks like a snake should produce the instinctive fear response," Slobodchikoff said. “Cucumbers are shaped more like snakes, with their curving sides, than ears of corn or eggplants, so they produce a greater response." But don't go trying to prank your cat with cucumber-shaped objects just yet.
“Some people believe that cucumbers look like a snake, which is a predator that has been known to attack and even eat cats,” explains Claudine Sievert, DVM, a Kansas-based veterinarian. “Cats see an elongated green object and think it's a snake, so they run from it.”
While bananas are not toxic to felines, they can cause them some stomach upset so it may be linked to an innate sense of distrust. Similarly to the cucumber videos, bananas have a vague snake shape to them and putting it down silently may cause alarm for your pet.
In the home, cats are often scared of noisy household appliances, especially if they didn't become accustomed to them as young kittens. Vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, printers, washing machines and hairdryers are common culprits.
Whiskers are vital to your cat's awareness and contribute largely to helping them understand the world around them. Vets and experts agree that whiskers should never be trimmed or cut. Clipping your cat's whiskers would be like taking away part of their vision or sense of smell.
Cutting whiskers is not only painful, but can decrease a cat's spatial awareness. This can cause them to knock into things, become disorientated, less able to protect themselves from danger and less agile. So, put the scissors away and let your cat's whiskers grow wild!
Goldman explains that the cucumbers are triggering the cats' natural startle responses, since they “would not normally see cucumbers on the floor.” It's also possible they may associate the green invader with snakes, which can be deadly predators, Goldman adds.
Aluminum foil also has some unique properties that make it particularly alarming to cats upon their first encounter. When moved, bent, or stepped on, the foil has a very distinct high-pitched crinkling sound. Crinkling aluminum foil actually emits a sound so high-pitched that it reaches into the ultrasonic range.
Scaring them may yield a “funny” response, but it can cause long term damage to their psyche. It can also be a detriment to you if your cat can't trust you anymore. It's generally a good idea to observe the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Quick Movements
This could include things like running into a room, jumping out of a chair, or running out of the house. Any kind of fast movement is going to startle your cat and leave them feeling uneasy.
Closing a door prevents them from accessing all parts of their own territory which is something that territorial creatures hate!
Not only will plucking them hurt your cat, but you will be reducing your cat's ability to gather information about her surroundings, which can cause confusion, disorientation, and fear. It is completely normal, however, for cats to shed their whiskers – they will, of course, grow back on their own!
Unlike hair, whiskers are rooted deep under a cat's skin. They're also wider at the base and taper off toward the tip. That means they're harder than fur to pull out, and it will hurt when a whisker is pulled. Whiskers do fall out sometimes.
If your cat does break their whiskers, or they have to be trimmed for medical reasons, as long as the follicle does not suffer any damage, these hairs will grow back. In fact, normal cat whiskers are occasionally shed just like other hairs, though never more than 1-2 at a time.
Texture: Sticky paper, aluminum foil, heavy plastic or a plastic carpet runner (knubby side up) can be placed in areas you want to be off limits. Cats hate walking on these surfaces. Smell: Citronella, perfumes, solid air fresheners, citrus, aloe, eucalyptus oil and oil of wintergreen are all aversive smells to cats.
Your Grumpy Pup Is a Very Smart Dog — Science Says So
That said, research has been divided on the dog/cat intelligence question, with some studies suggesting dogs are more intelligent than cats because of their social nature, while others found that cats rank higher in abilities, such as long-term memory.
Why do some cats dislike belly rubs? Hair follicles on the belly and tail area are hypersensitive to touch, so petting there can be overstimulating, Provoost says. “Cats prefer to be pet and scratched on the head, specifically under their chin and cheeks,” where they have scent glands, Provoost says.
The term "pussycat" is a term of endearment often used to describe cats, especially by those who adore them. The term originated from the word "pussy" which is derived from the Old English word "puse" or "pusa" meaning "pocket" or "pouch". In the Middle Ages, this word was commonly used to describe a bag or purse.
Kneading to mark territory — Cats are strongly driven by scent-related communication, relying on scent markers to claim territory and leave other cats a message. Your cat has scent glands in her paws, and scratching and kneading deposits her scent, letting other animals know she was there.