Cats and water, well let’s call it a hate-love relationship, it’s a common belief that cats hate water. Pet parents know how hard it is to bathe their cats and how some of them completely lose their minds when it’s bath time. How come cats hate water whereas tigers, lions, and leopards are considered cat’s cousins who wouldn’t mind taking a dip in a lake or river Cats only love the water dripping from a tap but never a bathtub full of water? We’ll never know the real reason cats don’t prefer the water, our feline friends have mysterious ways of behaving but Pet Barn has a few ideas that could help pet parents understand the possible reasons cats fear water and how to deal with it.
Cats drink water and are okay with it, but having water on their fur can turn a friendly cat into a raging monster. Here are some of the reasons that might help you understand why.
Cat’s History:
Historically, our feline friends are descendants of the FELIS SILVESTRIS LYBICA, a small wildcat that used to live in a dry, desert environment in the Middle East, which means rivers, lakes or oceans weren’t obstacles they had to endure, they didn’t adapt to swimming or spending time in the water since the water sources were limited. This is one reason why our lovely cats enjoy warm places, and sunlight, and prefer keeping their tiny paws and hair bodies dry. Cats’ ancestors in the past explain why the modern cat’s first reaction is to turn hysterical and do anything to escape contact or interaction with water.
Water Feels Heavy on Your Cat’s Body;
One of the reasons why cats hate water is that when their hair becomes wet making the coat heavier. Can you imagine having to carry a heavy wet coat on your shoulders until it gets completely dry, well that is exactly what your cat feels when it comes to bathtubs and water? Plus your feline is very light and likes to jump and enjoy flexibly but this weight will mobilize their movement for a long period. Also, bathing is an exhausting task for your feline friend because to dry their coat, they have to lick their fur for half of the day to make sure the water is gone for good.
Fear of the Unknown;
Cats are creatures who hate surprises and unfamiliar things, anything unfamiliar can scare them and water is one of the things they are not used to dealing with so their reaction is explained by fear of the unknown. The question is, do cats need to be bathed? Cats are wonderful pets that spend half of their day licking their coats with their tongue made like a special kind of brush to clean all areas, so your fluffy friend might not need a bath. Although, some cats have health conditions or are old and have arthritis that makes it hard to reach places in their bodies so they might need help to clean up by bathing.
Water Has A Chemical Smell;
Cats have the most powerful sense of smell, their little nose can smell 14 times stronger than humans and dogs. This sense of smell allows them to analyze everything around them as well as to detect and hunt predators. When it comes to water, the chemicals in tap water release a kind of odor that your feline smell straight away. Therefore, cats might not want to drink or touch this chemical smelly water that will make their hair and body smell the same too.
Bad Experience;
Experiencing something bad, especially during first interactions can become a forever bad memory. If your cat has experienced bathtubs in early kitten-hood which have made their coats wet and heavy, it will become a stressful experience that they will always remember each time you force them to bath or have any interaction with water. Some of us use water for punishment when our cats do something bad, like being in a place they should not be or scratching the furniture, we often spray them with water to make them stop the bad behavior. Well, this is one of the reasons that water can be an unpleasant surprise and also a punishment for cats.
Not All Cats Hate Water;
Well, it might be surprising information for you, but not all cats hate water! Some breeds of cats like to swim! The Maine Coon, the Turkish Van, the Bengal, and the Abyssinian like to play in the water.
•Maine Coon’s cats have a water-resistant coat and have historically been on sailing ships which is why they enjoy being on the water.
•Turkish Van cat breeds have a waterproof coat as well which helps them enjoy swimming. They love swimming so much that they are called “the swimming cats”.
•The Abyssinian cats are also cats that are in love with water. They adore being in the water and won’t hesitate to have any kind of interaction with water.
So Can We Bath Our Feline Friend?
Since most cats don’t have water-resistant fur coats like the Main Coon, and the Turkish Van, what can we do when they need a bath? Well, it can be a tricky process, but you will manage with the essential right tools; specialist shampoo, towels, brush, a non-slip floor mat, and the right water temperature which will make the whole experience pain-free for your feline friend. And never forget to keep water higher than their chest level for safety.
Conclusion:
Our cuddly feline friend isn’t a fan of water and that’s probably because they have historically been in a dry environment, but also because cats hate unfamiliar unknown things. Never force your cat into water, this may be a very bad experience that will haunt it forever. Make sure to make the bath experience enjoyable and pain-free. Pet Barn is sure that you have funny bath stories to tell and we would love to hear about them all in the comments!
