Cats and cucumbers: the viral video you should never copy

A cucumber placed silently behind a cat as it eats, the cat turns around… and leaps a metre into the air. These videos went round the world. They are funny, but feline behaviour experts agree: don't do it.

A trend born in 2015

The first "cats vs cucumbers" videos appeared in 2015, and whole compilations soon circulated. In November 2015, National Geographic was already headlining: "People are scaring their cats with cucumbers. They shouldn't." The trend keeps coming back on TikTok and Instagram.

No, it's not fear of snakes

People often say the cucumber looks like a snake. Behaviourist Pamela Perry (Cornell Feline Health Center) disagrees: in her view, cats have no natural fear of snakes. The likeliest explanation is simpler: an unfamiliar object appeared silently behind the cat while it was vulnerable. Any object could trigger the same reaction.

Why it really is a bad idea

The trap is often set near the food bowl, a place cats associate with safety. Each fright triggers a stress response: cortisol and adrenaline. Repeated, this fear can take hold. Vets report that prolonged stress in cats can lead to anxiety, aggression, toileting problems, hair loss or loss of appetite. The cat may also eat less calmly or become wary of you. Older cats, kittens and already anxious cats are the most at risk.

Videos that work, without scaring

Your cat can become a star without being frightened. Film a play session with a feather wand, a box it dives into, a treat puzzle it learns to open, or the "slow blink" it gives you. These are also the clips people love to share.

Frequently asked questions

My cat got scared once: is it serious?

A one-off fright is generally not dramatic. Don't repeat it, and let your cat eat in peace.

My cat has become fearful: what should I do?

Give it hiding places and a stable routine. If the fear lasts or comes with other signs, see a vet.

Do all cats react to cucumbers?

No. Placed in plain sight, a cucumber leaves most cats indifferent or just curious.

Read more: 10 signs your cat loves you and why Morocco is a cat paradise.

General information that does not replace a vet's advice.

Sources: National Geographic (17 November 2015); Cornell Feline Health Center (Dr Pamela Perry); VetHelpDirect; PetsRadar.