It's true - countless cats utterly freak out at the sight of cucumbers, often attacking or fleeing in terror from harmless veggies.
Common Cat Quirk
Some experts theorize cukes resemble snakes or caterpillars, triggering cats' basic instinct to attack perceived threats for self-protection.
Resemblance Theories
Being taken by surprise seeing an unfamiliar object also elicits a dramatic startle response in vigilant, nervous felines unaccustomed to novelty.
Surprise Scares
Cucumbers may ignite cats' basic prey drives - but when the veggie fails to act like expected prey, it provokes aggressive confusion.
Prey Drive Gone Awry
Inability to narrow focus plus peripheral visual triggers may overwhelm cats, confusing their sensory information.
Lateral Inhibition
Reactions depend greatly on the cat. Timid and high strung cats startle more easily than bold, seasoned cats.
Individual Reaction
Gradually introduce non-threatening cukes combined with positive reinforcement to dampen dramatic reactions.
Try Desensitizing