Sorry for having to watch the kitten die. As a cat person I understand the sense of loss you went through.
Cats are born predators, and their amazing reflexes are just one aspect of this. I currently have 3 cats (and 3 dogs), and many more in the past. I am going to try the cucumber test on them when I get a chance. I actually think of these moments as entertaining to them. It puts an additional experience in their life and they are not harmed by it.
