Cats vs. cucumbers. What's the deal? 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 their human is doing, the cat may become startled by the unexpected presence of a green intruder 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 a fear of cucumbers for any of the following reasons.

It's entertaining to watch cats perform antics like cat zoomies, around the house or in videos, but scaring your kitty for cucumber prank entertainment value isn't fun for them. Startling your feline friend with a cucumber can lead to undue stress and anxiety, signs of which include trembling and aggression. Cats that experience chronic stress can have medical issues associated with stress including urinary, GI, and grooming conditions. 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.