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.
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.
Similarly to the cucumber videos, bananas have a vague snake shape to them and putting it down silently may cause alarm for your pet. Banana peels emit ethene as they ripen, which cats can smell so they tend to avoid the fruit altogether.
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.
Pet owners filmed themselves secretly placing cucumbers behind their unsuspecting cats. When the cats turn around, they are startled by the fruit and often leap back in fright. Although both the videos and the cats' reactions are shocking, the question remains: Exactly why cats are scared of cucumbers?
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.
Unfamiliar Objects, Fruit or People
But it is a good example of cats being afraid of unfamiliar things (people, objects, fruits, etc.). Cats like to feel safe and secure in their home — if something new enters their space, that's probably going to cause some stress.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
There's even an entire Cucumbers Scaring Cats Reddit community. But National Geographic says the prank is not only cruel, it's also bad for cats' health. “Trying to startle your cat on purpose could cause them to injure themselves, break something, or lead to prolonged stress,” National Geographic wrote in its article.
The extreme reaction comes from the fact that cucumbers are reminiscent of snakes. Primal instinct tells animals that snakes are dangerous and they should react accordingly — resulting in the cat's fear response and a viral video for their owner.
"Cats are genetically hard-wired through instinct to avoid snakes," Con Slobodchikoff, animal behaviorist and author of "Chasing Doctor Dolittle: Learning the Language of Animals," said. "Cucumbers look enough like a snake to have the cat's instinctive fear of snakes kick in."
Cats also don't like the smell of bananas, so another way to stop them from pooping in your garden is to finely chop bananas and scatter them around your flower beds. Ripening bananas give off a strong smell that cats simply can't stand.
Cats are fastidious animals that spend a great deal of their day grooming themselves. Wet fur is extremely uncomfortable for a cat and often takes a long time to dry. Wet fur is also heavier than dry and thus makes a cat less nimble and easier for predators to catch.
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. Conrad told The Dodo.
Because of the high fat content, it's also possible for dogs or cats to develop pancreatitis (painful inflammation of the pancreas).” So, while avocado is fairly safe for our dogs and cats to eat, the best bet is to limit their access to just small amounts of the fruit itself.
Some cats don't like belly rubs. Why? Mainly because the stomach area is a very sensitive part of a cat's body. This soft underbelly protects some of their most vital organs, according to the South Boston Animal Hospital.
However, cucumbers aren't toxic for cats, and their low calorie and sugar content means that you don't have to worry about the effects of an occasional piece of cucumber on your cat's weight.
False. Cats are not afraid of cucumbers, but they get scared if they see a sudden change in the environment around them.
Because of their territorial nature, cats believe they actually own your house. When you close a door, it is no wonder that many cats will try to open, scratch, or attack it in every single way. They may simply find your attempt to close a door as a sign that undermines their absolute reign of the territory.
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.
Scent deterrents will either serve to repel (eg Citronella) or mark a territory (eg Silent Roar). Alternatively, try orange or lemon peel, since cats are not keen on the smell of citrus. A bucket or water pistol full of water, directed near but not at the cat, will help to chase an unwelcome cat out of the garden.
One of the key differences between the cat brain vs the dog brain is their cognitive function. As discussed, cats are independent thinkers and problem solvers, while dogs tend to be more socially intelligent and trainable.
Here's the thing, cats don't recognise themselves in mirrors. When they see their reflection, they simply think they're seeing another cat. This explains why your kitty is so infatuated with their look-alike.
Are Cats Afraid Of The Dark? Sometimes cats will be afraid of the dark, and there are several possible reasons why cats develop this fear. The first reason is that some cats may feel disoriented in the dark. This is especially common for young kittens and elderly cats.