Do Cats Fear The Water?

Have you ever seen a cat swimming in a pool or at a beach? I would probably answer no, as would the majority of individuals. So, have you ever questioned whether the widely held belief that cats despise water is true?

Water and savanna cats

A good place to start the discussion is by examining the wild relatives of our domestic cats. Because of their wild ancestors’ instincts, many of our pets’ behaviors are still present today. Wild cats generally fall into one of two categories when it comes to water, depending on where they live.

Lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and ocelots are among the warm-weather cats that enjoy swimming and using water to cool off.

Bobcats, lynx, and snow leopards, cats native to colder climates, avoid water because getting wet would reduce their coats’ capacity to keep them warm.

Have you ever witnessed a cat swimming at the beach or in a pool? Like the majority of people, I would likely respond “no.” So, have you ever questioned the veracity of the fanciful notion that cats loathe water?

Savanna cats and water
An excellent place to start the conversation is by looking at the wild cats that are related to our domestic cats. Many of the habits that still exist in our pets today are a result of their wild ancestors’ instincts. Depending on where they dwell, wild cats typically fall towards one of two categories when it comes to water.

Warm-weather cats that prefer swimming and using water to cool down include lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and ocelots.
Because getting wet would decrease their coats’ ability to keep them warm, cats native to colder climes like bobcats, lynx, and snow leopards stay away from water.

The simple explanation is that they simply aren’t used to being wet. Humans typically don’t bother introducing cats to bathing in water the way we do with dogs because cats clean themselves by licking. For instance, show cats are groomed and taught to take baths very early on, so they don’t have the typical fear of the water. Introduce the concept of water being pleasant to a kitten if you want a cat that enjoys it. The ideal time to begin introducing them to water is before they turn 16 weeks old, during the socialization phase.

Another reason for the cat’s aversion to water is that it prefers to take a shower or bath on its own without assistance from humans. Due to their meticulous licking, cats’ fur doesn’t accumulate much oil. When cats do get wet, the water soaks all the way to their skin because oil helps repel water. They may feel slower and less agile because their fur feels wet and heavy. And wet, of course.

Additionally, we use water as a form of discipline, which will not make cats want to be wet. We frequently spritz them with water when they jump on the counter, lick our yogurt bowl, or scratch the couch arm. Because it’s a bad surprise, it works. They stop acting in a way we don’t want them to because it’s cold and uncomfortable, and instead run away to cast scornful glances at us from afar.

Reasons for dislike water

Arguments against enjoying water
Many cats will tremble at the sight of a bath, despite the fact that some cats love swimming! Cats dislike swimming for a variety of reasons, but the following are the most typical:

Thick coats
If your cat has long hair, it may become too heavy and difficult to keep afloat if they begin swimming. Since cats are less nimble and their fur is less water-resistant, they feel less secure in the water.

Cold
Your cat may dislike the water for another reason, since it dramatically lowers their body temperature. Domestic short hairs typically have little to no fur, so the water can contact their skin immediately, making them feel cold and compelled to leave the water.

Susceptible to smells
Some cats dislike swimming outside because they are particularly sensitive to odors. They could be the reason your cat won’t drink tap water because they object to the taste or pollutants in it.

The unknown terrifies cats.
Cats don’t like strange things very much, and they aren’t used to water bodies much bigger than a water dish. A bathtub or a pool, then? Quite scary.

As with anything unknown, fear may be the first emotion felt, explains Tomlyn Veterinary Science veterinarian Jennifer Kasten, DVM. If owners have used a squirt gun or spray bottle to deter cats from being on surfaces like furniture or the kitchen counter, this fear response may be intensified.

Do cats require baths if they are terrified of the water, you might be wondering. Your cat spends between 30 and 50 percent of each day licking and fluffing its coat, which is all about grooming. So perhaps there’s no need to push it into the bath. However, some cats may require assistance with bathing if they have health issues such as arthritis or are unable to reach certain difficult-to-groom areas.