If cats hate water why do they like to eat fish?

Question

How did the cat find out it liked fish in the first place? Okay - I know some cats like water but that is rare. You can't tell me there was one water-loving cat who caught fish and fed the rest of the cats and that's how they got so fond of fish eatin!

So - how come they like to eat fish but hate water?

Answer 1

Good Question, But some wild cats do fish -
The Fishing Cat is to be found in a range that spreads form northern India, Sri Lanka, across Burma, the Thai peninsular and down to Sumatra and Java, where records show the cat populations to be in critical decline. Its is commonly found in areas near water, such as swamp land, marsh and general riverside terrain. It is a little larger than the Leopard Cat, which it may be said to resemble, however the fishing cat has a slightly larger head in relation to body size and a relatively shorter tail - the body is generally stocky and the legs shorter. The fur coloration is predominantly grey brown with smaller, less pronounced dark brown or black spotted markings. The forehead is marked distinctively with a pair of dark lines running from the top of the eyes up over the crown before breaking into more open marking on the shoulder.

As the name implies, the fishing cat is a proficient fisherman and is never found far from water - however the fishing cat shows a preference to slow moving or static water sources, swamp margins and wetlands over faster moving river or stream edges. Observations have been made of the fishing cat using two distinct techniques whilst fishing - firstly by taking fish with its paws from the waters edge and more radically by diving into the water to catch the fish with its jaws. Naturally the fishing cat is a strong swimmer but it does not posses webbed feet as has been suggested, however, in common with its close neighbour, the Flat-headed cat, the claws are not fully covered when retracted. Not all of the fishing cats prey is water based and its prey on dry land include rodents, young deer and small wild pig. Recent research of the fishing cats diet in India has revealed that grass also featured as part of the cats food source.

The fishing cat is threatened principally by loss of its wetlands habitat as well as by pollution and pesticide poisoning - hunting and trapping for its fur. Although the fishing cat is listed in CITES Appendix 2 the sub-species P.v.rizophoreus which is restricted to Java is under critical threat.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

It was only through people feeding their cats fish that cats started eating fish.
Though some cats have fun sitting next to ponds and hooking little fish out to play with and then eat.
Two of my three cats dont like fish. And the third is only eating it at the moment because he has a blocked nose and fish has a stronger smell so that is all he will eat.

Answer 4

For your information a cat should only be given water to drink, milk, cream and other things are food and therefore does not quench thirst. It should be given to any animal that also has dried food in its daily diet. otherwise they could end up with serious bowel trouble. You do not only give milk to a baby, you should also give water. to quench thirst, this is the same reason. it can congest the bowels. As for the fish part it had to find food in the wild before domestication and rivers was probably the place they went to drink and experimented with catching the fish, hence they like fish, but equally there are some out there that don't like fish,and eat loads of chicken instead.

Answer 5

cats will paddle in water and don't mind getting their paws wet for such an excellent source of protein as a fish! I guess a brave cat swiped a fish out of the water from the bank and got into a habit of it!

Cats like cows milk too but you don't see 'em on milking stools very often.

Answer 6

2

Answer 7

Hi there...here's an article about this:
Cats all seem to like fish, so why are they unwilling to swim?

I like fish too, but you won't catch me on a trawler, let alone in the water. For one thing, like most cats, I simply cannot swim well enough to catch any meal that swims away from me. While otters, seals and other aquatic mammals and reptiles swim after the fish they hunt, there are comparatively few of them. Some cats fish actively, but they do so from the bank, or leap on fish in shallow water. Whether cats in a particular region catch fish depends on their having learned the skill. Where fishing is good, cats of all sizes from wildcats to jaguars may snatch fish, and the south-east Asian fishing cat apparently does so frequently.

As for being unwilling to swim, cats vary. Some actually like it. I have seen the hilarious sight of a moggie lowering itself into a swimming pool tail-first to avoid getting a nose full of water, swim around to cool off, then head for the steps. The breed commonly called the Turkish Van is well known for enjoying the occasional summer dip.

Jon Richfield, Somerset West, South Africa

Cats are quite capable of swimming if they have to but may dislike it because of its effects on their fur. A cat's fur is effective insulation both from the cold and the heat, thanks to the way it lies on the cat. If a cat gets soaked, the fur becomes waterlogged and the cat can lose body heat to the extent that it becomes hypothermic. However, while a cat will seek shelter in the rain, a little damp does no harm because the top layer of fur is water repellent and rain just bounces off. For this reason, it's not a good idea to dry a moderately wet cat with a towel because water will get through the water-repellent layer to the more absorbent hairs below. If a cat is really wet, it's best to dry it with a hairdryer on a very low setting. However, most cats are frightened of this, so letting it sit in front of a fire is probably better.

Cats can also fish. About 20 years ago my family had a cat that regularly brought back bullhead fish. Cats sit on the river bank and when a fish comes into range the cat hoicks it out with extended claws and throws it over its head and clear of the water. The fish is then helpless and the cat has its meal or trophy.

Charles Stuart, Bath, Somerset, UK

Snow leopards, lynx and other species from cold environments avoid getting wet because water compromises the ability of their fur coats to keep them warm. On the other hand, lions, tigers, jaguars and other species that live in hot habitats often take a dip to cool off. It is thought that the Turkish Van, which hails from the region around Lake Van in eastern Turkey, took to swimming to escape the scorching heat. This swimming cat has dispensed with the undercoat that most cats have and its fur has a cashmere-like texture that makes it water-resistant. The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) from south-east Asia has gone one step further and dives into water to catch fish. Fishing cats have been reported to attack ducks from under the water.

While a Turkish Van can go for a dip and come out relatively dry, most domestic cats hate getting wet, possibly because they must spend hours putting their fur back in order. However, some domestic cats will happily join their owners in the shower or play with a dripping tap.

On one occasion my cat swam out to my fishing boat, a distance of about 100 metres, presumably for company and a feed of pilchards. Her swimming style is similar to a doggy-paddle. She only breached the surface when taking a breath (in a similar manner to a seal). On another occasion, we were netting for bait, and she swam behind the net, attacking fish that were caught in it.

I guess some cats swim and some cats don't like fish.

Richard

From issue 2545 of New Scientist magazine, 01 April 2006, page 97
http://www.newscientist.com/backpage.ns?id=mg19025451.500

Answer 8

my cat loves water when im washing dishes hes there playing with the water and leave the tap on low and he plays with the water but i must say ates having to have a shower'

Answer 9

Hi Norse
My cat loves water, she sits in the shower when i am in it, Really i am not joking

Answer 10

Lol, good question :-) Thing is, all cats like beef too, but I've never seen a pack of cats hunting cows in a field...