scaring cats with cucumbers, and why you shouldn't - from National Geographic

[IcyPeas]

Please don't get me wrong, I like funny videos as much as anyone. But not when it's used to scare an animal and then laugh at it. So I am just posting this for educational purposes in case anyone didn't know.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/11/151117-cats-cucumbers-videos-behavior/

“If you cause stress to an animal that's probably not a good thing,” says Jill Goldman, a certified animal behaviorist in southern California. “If you do it for laughs it makes me question your humanity.” (Learn more about cat behaviors.)

The fact that the cucumbers are often placed near feeding stations in the videos confuses the cats because they often associate those areas with safety and security, adds Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of Think Like a Cat. "That's a cruel thing to do," she says.

Bringing new objects into the home can be a good source of mental stimulation for pets, but it shouldn’t be done with the goal of freaking them out, says Goldman. Trying to startle your cat on purpose could cause them to injure themselves. break something, or lead to prolonged stress. Instead, it’s best to introduce any novel items gradually.

[Auggie]

1. I won't do that to my cat

She's paranoid enough

[Ruth Bonner]

2. Yes! Thank holy heck someone is saying the obvious...

If you are entertained by scaring the shit ur of your cat, you should not have a cat!

[Judi Lynn]

3. Glad someone wrote this, and you posted it. Thanks.