2006-08-15 12:01:36 · 11 answers · asked by imreallymesedup 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
According to our 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!
2006-08-15 12:11:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My 6 month old kitten likes the water. It's actually a pain in the butt cause she will jump on the bath with me!! Not all wild cats like water. Some just are acclimated to it.
2006-08-15 12:18:09 · answer #2 · answered by JL's Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all wild cats like water. Some will go in water if they absolutely have too.
2006-08-15 12:06:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought that the only wild cat that actually "liked" water was the jaguar. Most others...lions, tigers, leopards, etc...will go into the water if they HAVE to, but otherwise would much rather avoid it.
2006-08-15 12:08:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
u have to get them acclimated to it... i put my little kitty in the water yesterday a couple times and he swims really well.... and didn't freak out. It's all a matter of necessity i guess... domestic cats have no need to swim with free food and water and comforts of your homes.
2006-08-15 12:07:11 · answer #5 · answered by Amangela 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that the reason cats don't like water is because of how their body is shaped they can easily die of pneumonia.
2006-08-15 12:10:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously you haven't watched Animal Planet and some of their specials concerning Tigers.
2006-08-15 12:06:57 · answer #7 · answered by Firefly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be only yours because my 2 females love water,
2006-08-15 12:11:49 · answer #8 · answered by Jersey girl on Florida. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's why they are domestic they have been treated like kittens even though they are adults for so long and genetically speaking they are way smaller right so they are afraid that they drown
2006-08-15 12:09:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat purrs when I give it a bath
2006-08-15 12:39:37 · answer #10 · answered by tlc2312 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋