Experts Say Viral Cucumber Prank Can Be Harmful To Cats

Breitbart.com ^ | November 19, 2015 | Breitbart News

[Biggirl]

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18 (UPI) — A viral trend involving placing cucumbers behind cats has been deemed cruel and harmful behavior by some experts.

[Gil4]

Well, cats ARE idiots...

They are sinister and evil and probably deserve it when this prank is played on them, but most of them aren't idiots.

[r_barton]

Wonder if they would have the same reaction to a banana?

[r_barton]

Cats may fear cucumbers, but offer them another member of the melon family and you will be surprised at what happens. Offer your cat a slice of cantelope. The cats I have owned love it.

[I want the USA back]

It’s not cruel. They are not hurt by it. They’re just following their survival instinct.

[huldah1776]

LOL I had bought a raincoat, bright blue with fur around a hood, for my rat terrier. When our cat came in for dinner and spotted her with it on he bounced off every wall in the laundry room. Only happened once.

[Tea Party Terrorist]

You “own” your cat? What are you, some kind of Speciesist?

[r_barton]

Don’t tell the cat, please. ;-)

[vetvetdoug]

I don't care who you are, that there is funny

I see no harm and the so called experts need to go and get a real job. The cats will get even with the prankster in time, I guarantee it.

[broken_clock]

Since they’re supposed to be so much alike, This prank should also work on lions... Though I don’t think we’ll ever know!

[Lazamataz]

I dunno if I am cool with frightening my cats half to death. I’ll pass. I love the little guy (and tolerate the little girl.)

[JRios1968]

The cats I have owned love it.

You don't own a cat...you're a cat's staff member!

[Lazamataz]

The cats will get even with the prankster in time, I guarantee it.

Good point.

[Monkey Face]

It’s cruel. Period.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Cats are predators. This is why popular cat toys simulate prey for them, and are stimulating and healthy for the cats.

So the question is not does this cause cats stress, but does it cause them unhealthy stress? Wild cats and domestic cats share a lot of behaviors and psychology, and wild cats have to be very aware when they are feeding on their prey, because other animals, other predators and scavengers, will try and sneak up on them to either get some of their kill, or drive them away so the interloper will get all of it.

[Drawsing]

In a related story, cat emotion expert and billionaire Dr. Larry Foo has opened up his third Cucumber phobia desensitization clinic for cats.

[poobear]

Hilarious! I prefer duct tape to the paw pads. Just once of course. :)

[CAluvdubya]

I can't figure out just how to sneak up on one of my cats to place the cuc there, in the first place.

Maybe my cats are too suspicious of me.......

[When do we get liberated?]

Is that your best pick up line?

[poobear]

Hilarious! I prefer duct tape to the paw pads. Just once of course. :)

[rarestia]

When we first got our kitties, we lined our tabletops with aluminum foil and/or sticky mats (used in sterile areas). They learned real quick not to go on the counters or tables, and they’re still pretty good about that to this day.