Why Are Cats Afraid Of Water? Do Cats Hate Water?

While cats are very at home climbing trees and leaping from fence to fence, they seem to meet their nemesis when it comes to water. While many felines are fascinated by the concept of water, they also seem to be afraid of it and are not strong swimmers.

While wild cats, such as tigers and lions, are excellent at the doggy paddle, it does not seem to translate to domestic cats. So, why are cats afraid of water? Let’s find out.

Fear vs. Fascination

This comes back to the point we made in the introduction. Why are cats seemingly so fascinated by water yet so scared when it comes to jumping in? For any cat owners out there, I am sure you have seen your feline friend stare at a dripping tap, gaze on while you run a bath, or dip their paw into a rippling pool. They seem transfixed. Yet as soon as they jump, slip or cannonball into the tub, they are met with pure, unrelenting fear. 

The explanation is fear vs. fascination. Cats simply do not enjoy getting wet, especially not so suddenly. They enjoy how water droplets fall from a tap, they love the way it ripples across the surface, they are captivated by how the light bounces off the surface and they especially like the sound water makes. Essentially, it is a visual and audio treat for them… just not so much when it comes to touch.

Theories behind why cats hate water

There are a few potential explanations behind why cats enjoy observing it, but not getting wet:

Creatures of Habit

Domesticated cats love their daily routines, whether it’s bedtime, breakfast, dinner, or heading outside. As such, they are not the biggest fans of change. New activities are not always well received and are often met by resistance, including the concept of a nice warm bath. This is especially the case if an older cat is experiencing a bath for the first time.

Ancestors

Domestic cats mostly descended from a type of Middle Eastern wild cat and, as such, all stem from a rather dry area where water was not plentiful. Therefore, cats have never really needed to learn how to swim and remain against the idea.

Of course, you also have big kitties like tigers who have evolved in regions with water, while also being the top predators. As a tiger, you don’t have to worry about what’s underneath the water. Small cats, on the other hand, have to be more careful, which is why they stay away from it in general.

Counterproductive

Cats are not built for water. Sure, your dog may be able to jump in a river and shake the water away, but that’s because their coats are built to do so. When a cat is submerged, their hair takes on the water quickly and instantly weighs them down, becoming uncomfortable. As felines pride themselves on being quick and agile, being wet does not lend itself to their lifestyle. In the wild, a wet and heavy coat can be the difference between survival and… not surviving. Cats also have the perfect natural blend of oil in their skin and a self-coat-cleaning system that does not require water. A feline’s coat protects against parasites, against infection, controls temperature and assists with territorial communication. Why change that? 

Are there exceptions?

As with most things, there are exceptions to the rule that felines are afraid of water. Certain breeds have adapted and evolved slightly differently from others and some even enjoy the water. Some examples include Turkish Vans, American Bobtail, Maine Coon, and Turkish Angora. Some of these breeds will even allow being bathed without resistance. This is likely because their particular ancestors did, in fact, live near water and learned to use it for hunting and/or temperature control. The Turkish Van even has a water-resistant coat of fur!

READ MORE: The Fluffiest Cat Breeds You Can Own

Can your learn cat to not be afraid of water?

It often depends on the breeds and personality of the cat in question when it comes to whether you can teach them to get used to water. For some, if you expose them to water from an early age, they can learn to grow accustomed to it. For others, nothing you ever do will convince them to enjoy it and they will, therefore, always resist. However, there are a few steps you can follow to give you a fighting chance:

• Expose them to water as kittens.
• Make bath time fun and relaxing.
• Give them treats and praise.
• Do not throw them it all at once – start with paws, tail, then body.
• Warm water only.
• Never lose your patience.
• Never push them too far.

Read more about how to teach your cat to swim.

READ MORE: 16 Smells Your Cat Hate the Most

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