Cats are hard-wired to be very territorial of their food, and for all they know, this cucumber may be poised to steal some kibble. A cat sees that cucumber is a threat, and when confronted with a "threatening situation," explain PAWS Chicago, cats respond with fear and anxiety.
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.
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.
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.
Cats don't need cucumbers to round out their diet, and in fact should not be fed so much cucumber that they won't eat the meaty, protein-rich food they do need. Regardless, cucumbers are a great source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, beta carotene, and potassium for most mammals.
"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."
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.
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.
There are four common types of allergies in the cat: insect (fleas), food allergy, atopic dermatitis (house dust, pollen, and molds), and contact. They share common physical expressions and signs in cats, and each has unique features.
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.
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.
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 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.
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. Their brain size is different as well. A dog's brain is typically larger than a cat's brain.
They're soft, small, and just unexplainably adorable. But there is a reason why most cats don't like their paws touched: their paws are extremely sensitive. Cat paws contain large concentrations of nerve receptors, turning your cat's cute paws into finely tuned sensory organs.
While some cats enjoy being kissed, others will not. Some will feel love, while others will not see kissing as a sign of affection. There are better ways than kissing to show a cat affection that they will understand. Cats are mysterious pets with distinct personalities.
But you should never trim them. A cat with cut whiskers will become disoriented and scared. “If you cut them, that's like blindfolding someone, taking away one of their ways of identifying what's in their environment,” says veterinarian Jane Brunt.
“If they turn around and suddenly see a cucumber there, it causes them to jump and become frightened,” says Dr. Sievert. “If you've ever watched your cat, you'll know that he's aware of everything around him, and if something moves suddenly or unexpectedly, he will react to it.
But what exactly about this tropical fruit makes feline instincts go haywire? The culprit might be the banana peel itself which emanates ethyl acetate. Cats are not big fans of the smell, prompting some owners to rub banana peels on their favourite furniture to keep it safe from cat's paws.
Because they are calorie-rich, bananas are not at the top of the cat treat list, and your cat may not even want to eat bananas. As Cat Health points out, a cat's "sweet" taste bud receptors are not very strong, so they are not instinctively drawn to sweet foods like bananas.
Catnip and More.
Many herbs we use in cooking are safe and fun for cats to sniff, and some are known to be feline favorites. Catnip, part of the mint family, affects many cats with a scent-induced kitty “high.” Silver vine has a similar effect. And valerian can energize cats.
This is because cats sense those emotions and react accordingly. Studies have proven that cats smell fear. When we're stressed out we release cortisol and our kitties can smell it from a mile away. When someone comes over to our house who has a fear of cats, our kitties sense that immediately.
Lavender, in particular, is quite safe for your pet to inhale. It offers both you and your cat natural calming properties, which can help them unwind from stressful situations. The relaxing effect can even encourage quality sleep which may improve his or her mood overall.