Why don't most cats like being in water?

Answer 1

Because, although they can swim, they prefer not to get wet when they can avoid it. It is difficult to say what goes through a cat's mind but I would think it is similar to why dogs roll in dirt after you give them a bath. Cat's don't mind getting their paws wet when they are fishing, and they like water on their tongue. It is probably just one of those weird animal psychology things.

Answer 2

According to some search results on variations of "cats hate water," it seems that not all cats hate water. In fact, some cats love water.
Dr. Universe notes that cat species native to hot areas seem to enjoy water, whereas cat species from cold areas aren't so fond of the wet stuff. Tigers, lions, jaguars, ocelots, and jaguarundi are all from hot savannas, and they enjoy taking dips in cool, refreshing streams and ponds whenever they get the chance.

Snow leopards, lynx, bobcats, and cougars live in cold environments and have little interest in getting wet. One veterinary professor suggests that water damages the ability of a cat's fur to insulate the animal against cold. This would explain why cold-weather cats don't like water -- it only makes them colder. But hot-weather cats don't have this problem.

Many domestic cats don't seem to enjoy water sports. Of course, they may not experience the extreme heat of the African plains, so they have no great impulse to take a dip. Also, no cats enjoy water used against them in an antagonistic manner or getting water in their eyes or ears. Being sprayed or squirted with water isn't fun, nor is being forced into a bath. Cats much prefer to meet new situations on their own terms.

Some housecats enjoy stepping into a shower or playing with a dripping faucet. The tolerance for water varies from cat to cat and may depend on the cat's previous experience. When people regularly enter their cats in cat shows, the cats must be bathed frequently, and those cats do get accustomed to the procedure. Show cats are often raised for the profession and get used to baths as kittens.

Cats are natural swimmers, and in the wild, a cat will swim to cross a stream or lake. Some Asian cat varieties enjoy fishing and regularly dive into water to catch a tasty meal.

The Turkish Van is a breed of domestic cat that loves the water. This cat is found near Lake Van in Turkey and has been a household pet in the area for centuries. Vans will even swim into the harbor to greet fishing boats!

Answer 3

According to search results on variations of "cats hate water," it seems that not all cats hate water. In fact, some cats love water.

Dr. Universe notes that cat species native to hot areas seem to enjoy water, whereas cat species from cold areas aren't so fond of the wet stuff. Tigers, lions, jaguars, ocelots, and jaguarundi are all from hot savannas, and they enjoy taking dips in cool, refreshing streams and ponds whenever they get the chance.

Snow leopards, lynx, bobcats, and cougars live in cold environments and have little interest in getting wet. One veterinary professor suggests that water damages the ability of a cat's fur to insulate the animal against cold. This would explain why cold-weather cats don't like water -- it only makes them colder. But hot-weather cats don't have this problem.

Many domestic cats don't seem to enjoy water sports. Of course, they may not experience the extreme heat of the African plains, so they have no great impulse to take a dip. Also, no cats enjoy water used against them in an antagonistic manner or getting water in their eyes or ears. Being sprayed or squirted with water isn't fun, nor is being forced into a bath. Cats much prefer to meet new situations on their own terms.

Some housecats enjoy stepping into a shower or playing with a dripping faucet. The tolerance for water varies from cat to cat and may depend on the cat's previous experience. When people regularly enter their cats in cat shows, the cats must be bathed frequently, and those cats do get accustomed to the procedure. Show cats are often raised for the profession and get used to baths as kittens.

Cats are natural swimmers, and in the wild, a cat will swim to cross a stream or lake. Some Asian cat varieties enjoy fishing and regularly dive into water to catch a tasty meal.

The Turkish Van is a breed of domestic cat that loves the water. This cat is found near Lake Van in Turkey and has been a household pet in the area for centuries. Vans will even swim into the harbor to greet fishing boats!

Answer 4

There coat is what keeps them warm.
also rabbits do not like to be wet....which makes a water bottle a good training tool.
Although we were at the Detroit Zoo and it was a very hot day and all of a sudden the mother Tiger gets up and slowly walks toward the pool and jumps in.
Well that sparked the baby 1Year old tigers .... YeAAAHHH were goin swimming.
We watched for 10 to 15 minutes as the cubs tried to knock each other in the pool and splashing and playing.
Something that Discovery channel would be waiting a month to get a shot of.

Answer 5

My cats won't let me pet them if they notice my hands are wet.. or even damp! I have one cat that likes to pounce in puddles and believe it or not, her name is Ripples! no joke here...
YOu know how we as people just on't like certain things? Like we don't like oily stuff all over us. Cats don't like water on them. It makes them feel uncomfortable because they like the feel of dry fur. I personaly wouldn't like water either if I had a fur coat.. Maybe water tickles their whiskers? Good question.

Answer 6

Cats arnt necessarily afraid of water...its just that they dont have oil glands that keep their fur dry.

When they get wet...they lose a tremendous amount of body heat which is akin to us suffering from hypothermia.

Answer 7

most cats are hardwired to hate water unless its there drinking water. it comes from there earlier ancestors who were desert creatures and water was scarce. but there are a few oddball cats that like water.

Answer 8

they don't like water because when it runs it hurts their ears because everything we hear is two times as loud to a cat

Answer 9

I would think that their thin legs would make it difficult for them to swim. Although I know they can. Also, they might consider themselves to be vulnerable when in the water. Those are my guesses.

Answer 10

my cat loves water and will even try to hope in the bath, I don't know maybe they don't like thier fur wet