PHELINE PHOBIAS
Shanthini Naidoo speaks to a leading animal behaviourist about cats and cucumbers
N June 14, International World Cucumber day, domesticated cats everywhere will be on high alert. Judging from social media clips, the feline comes off second best in the presence of the harmless, elongated fruit.
British animal behaviourist Dr Roger Mugford says: “Cats are indeed vulnerable at this time of year. It is a real phenomenon that they are a tad on the timorous side when it comes to cucumbers.”
As part of a tongue-in-cheek campaign by Hendrick’s gin, which is infused with cucumber, Mugford has created an exposure programme to help cats cope during the cucumber celebrations. His suggestions include slow familiarisation and calming music.
“I would strongly advise cat-owning individuals to start the programme in the days leading up to World Cucumber Day, giving them time to acclimatise to the fruit ahead of the day itself,” Mugford said from his UK farm this week.
The cucumber-fearing phenomenon, captured on YouTube, is yet to be scientifically studied. Mugford said it is unclear if it is the shape or smell of the fruit that causes cats to jump out of their fur when confronted by a cucumber.
“It is a strange-shaped object. If the animal was not adapted to it as a youngster, it would be an oddity. Cats have a keen sense of smell, but we really don’t know. Indoor cats are more affected because they have a restricted range of sensory experiences,” Mugford said.
His experience with dogs, including the Royal Corgis, which he trained, is that they are seemingly unaffected. “Corgis don’t, to my knowledge, have any opinion, positive or negative, about cucumbers. In general, dogs have a peripatetic existence. We take them everywhere with us. They have access to a greater range of sensory experience, including funny-looking fruit that they might discover in a garden. Cats have less of an advantage,” he said.
As for owners who find humour in their startled cats’ behaviour and post the videos online, Mugford says: “I am very grateful, because it has alerted us to this issue. Otherwise people would willy nilly go shopping for cucumbers without educating and socialising their cats.”
The behaviourist’s personal menagerie includes llamas, dogs, horses, a pet lamb (Alfred, who accompanied Mugford on a seaside holiday), 70 sheep and 100 head of cattle. “And two farm cats, for chasing mice.”
He explains the difference between dogs and cats thus: “If you give cats and dogs the same task, dogs will always win. Dogs are more keen to please the owner, especially if there is a reward of food. They are like slaves. Cats are the opposite. They want to be the masters. You can’t make cats do things. You have to get cats in the right mood to try to train them, and that is not an easy task.”
He advises against keeping packs of cats. “Cats in the wild are solitary. Wild dogs and wolves are the social animals, they hunt in packs. Cat people are often collectors, but you cannot collect cats, like postage stamps or wives. Cats are not happy in high-density zones because they can’t establish their territory. That is when you see them clash, splaying and spraying.”
His advice for all pet owners is to consider their animals’ emotions as part of their wellbeing.
“You have to watch the animal. Use your eyes and mental ability to study it. Don’t assume this animal is a piece of botanical. If you have a bad mood and attitude, it will affect them. They pick up on our illnesses, chemicals in our bodies, the food we have eaten and what we’ve drunk, and everyone we have come in contact with. Their world is so complicated because of their sensory perception. If you have been away, they know exactly what you have been doing. And they do judge you.”
Mugford was enlisted by Hendrick’s Gin to promote peace and harmony among cats on World Cucumber Day.