Keep the cucumbers away from the kitty! Videos starring cats afraid of cucumbers are popping up all over the Internet. In the videos, the felines face away, and their owners secretly place a cucumber behind them. When the cats turn around, they are startled by the fruit that wasn't there beforehand, often leaping back.
Cats react because cucumbers look like 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.
Cucumbers aren't the only grocery which cats are unimpressed by, bananas are also a no-go. Cats have a sense of smell which is 14 times stronger than our own so strong odours like fruity scents can be too much for their sensitive snoots.
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.
Loud Noises
Of all the cat fears, this one probably is the most relatable. Sudden loud noises can really startle your cat and cause them to either jump or go run and hide for a while. Things like the vacuum cleaner tend to trigger a cat's anxiety and send them to their favorite hiding spots.
Quick Solutions: Scatter fresh orange and lemon peels or spray with citrus scented fragrances. Coffee grounds, vinegar, pipe tobacco, oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella or eucalyptus also deter cats.
I asked a friend who keeps inside cats about your observation. She said, “Strawberries and mint plants apparently have a chemical profile similar to nepetalactol, the attractant found in catnip. I have seen videos of cats rubbing their faces on strawberry baskets. Something definitely appeals to them.”
The good news is, you most likely won't have to fight them off from apples. Due to their carnivorous appetites, cats lack taste receptors for sweetness, as Scientific American explains, so they won't be too excited by a sweet treat of any type, including apples.
"Cucumbers look enough like a snake to have the cat's instinctive fear of snakes kick in."
It has a strange sound
And believe it or not, aluminum foil actually makes high-pitched sounds that humans can't hear but your cat definitely can. “Cats have extremely acute hearing, and the strange crinkly noise that the foil makes when touched can be irritating to their ears,” Dr.
Since most cats dislike the way aluminum foil feels and sounds under their paws, it can be an effective deterrent for keeping them off of a surface you don't want them to walk on.
A cat sees that cucumber is a threat, and when confronted with a "threatening situation," explain PAWS 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.
Cats hate the scent of lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges. It's not the taste though. Some citrus fruits, especially lemon, can be mildly toxic to cats if ingested. No wonder they want to stay away!
Do Cats Enjoy Eating Carrots? Even though carrots are a safe food for them, cats won't always jump at the chance to eat them. Some cats are pickier than others, just like humans, and it's possible that they refuse to eat them.
Steer clear of: Cherries are toxic to cats and dogs, and grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage. Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruit as well as persimmons can cause an upset stomach.
Cats shouldn't eat ice cream for the same reasons it's not exactly healthy for humans: Ice cream tends to contain lots of sugar and fat that is unnecessary for the feline diet.
Blueberries are safe to eat as a treat. But it's important to note that 90 percent of a cat's diet should consist of a complete and balanced cat food. Ensure blueberries and any other cat treats you feed consist of no more than 10 percent of their diet. Two to three blueberries are an appropriate amount.
The second part of the outdoor cat predator problem is that cats are themselves prey. They will be killed by coyotes, eagles, owls, raccoons, dogs and otters. Two cats were killed by an otter when the cats got to close to their nest. Cars and humans also kill cats.
Cats dislike the smell of rue, lavender and pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. Plant a few of these throughout the garden. (Interplanting can attract pollinators and other beneficial insects too.) Cats steer clear of strong citrus scents.
Some of the most toxic food for cats include onions & garlic, raw eggs & meat, chocolate, alcohol, grapes and raisins. Avoid feeding your cat table scraps, especially around the holidays, as these may contain potentially toxic ingredients.
Noise Pollution
In addition to vacuums, other sound frequencies annoy cats, too. "Excessive or loud noises can create what is known as acoustic stress, which affects felines, in particular, since they can hear very high tones," notes Vetstreet.
Cats typically don't like being petted on their tummy, legs/feet, or tail. Of course, there are always outliers—some cats will love every bit of affection, no matter where they're touched or who's doing it. But generally, you shouldn't pet a cat you don't know on their stomach or extremities.