why do cats love fish so much even tho they hate water?

Question

sure they would hate fish due to the fact that they could get them

Answer 1

PROTEIN

Answer 2

Cats are carnivores and therefore keen to try all types of meat. From my own experience, I have owned cats who loved the taste of fish and others who would not touch it.

It's also not true that all cats hate water. Some are fascinated by a running tap and love to play with water. There are even some domestic breeds such as the Turkish Van Cat who actually enjoy swimming. Most cats though don't enjoy the feel of water on their fur, which is why water guns are often used to deter cats from certain behaviour within the home.

Answer 3

I was just pondering on one of life's imponderables, why do cats like fish? I don't even own a cat, but a local cat came to my door to visit tonight. This cat hangs around, but he's never come to visit at my door - and meow to me, no less. I knew what was afoot right away. Earlier in the day I had prepared a meal with fish and traces of that smell were still in the air. The cat smelled the fish and wanted it!

If you look at it, cats are natively carnivores. In their natural habitat they hunt, kill and eat their prey. In fact, I recently read about some research that was done, which determined that if you don't feed a cat store-bought food and put it somewhere where they can hunt mice, rats, etc., once they get back into the swing of it they become healthier. I've seen a lot of fat domestic cats that don't look particularly healthy.

Cats are known for chasing and hunting mice, rats, birds, and other critters that are smaller than them. (I've even seen a cat or two chase a small dog, although I don't think they wanted to eat it - but, who knows). Therefore, it's understandable from these hunting preferences that they would like these types of feline culinary delights on their menu. Would they eat them if they didn't like them?

We are also quite familiar with the fact that cats don't like water - which brings us to our dilemma. Have you ever seen a cat go fishing? Or jump into a body of water in hot pursuit of a rainbow trout, or (heaven forbid) a catfish? If felix domesticus doesn't hunt creatures of the deep, how did he acquire the taste for them?

I've seen pictures of bears standing in the middle of a river amidst rushing rapids where they swipe a fish out of the water for dinner. Many of you have probably seen such pictures. Now get that picture in your mind and replace the bear with your tabby (or someone else's tabby if you don't have one). Got it? OK, now tell me, how likely is that scenario?

On the flip side of the coin, have you ever seen any fish running across your backyard, to entice your cat to chase it? I think not.

Maybe some day I'll write a proposed answer to this question, a la Rudyard Kipling, but for now I'll just leave the question open for speculation.

Answer 4

I had that same thought the other day.
I think it's just something humans have given them through the years.
Its the same with cows milk. People give it to them even though cats become ill drinking it.

They do really love fish though. Mines just finished eating a tin of tuna ^.^

Answer 5

Cats love to eat fish but hate getting water on them. There's s dfference there.

Answer 6

My cats not too fussed about getting wet, he's always in the bathroom with me, and dips his paws in the bath water to chase my toes! In the wild the need for food probably outweighs any distaste for getting wet that cats feel.

Answer 7

Because it is rewarding for them when they finally manage to get the fish out of the water and eat it.

Answer 8

not all cats like fish, some hate it. apparently its down to genetics.
some cats are even allergic to fish.
i do agree though, it is very strange that they like fish so much, maybe they were domesticated from the fishing cat.

Answer 9

Many cats don't hate water, it depends on the breed of cat.

Answer 10

Just look on YouTube (Pets&Animals), especially "Charlie says this is my deepest bath yet!" No way does that cat hate water!!

Answer 11

i wouldt say all cats hate water mine loves to go under the tap she likes to play with the water