why are cats afraid of the water?

Question

i just don' get it

Answer 1

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!

Answer 2

Common misconception: Cats can't swim.

Fact: Cats have webbed feet and can swim very well.

Dangers of cats swimming: Cats have very sharp claws (much sharper than dogs) and can cut their underside with the back claws while swimming.

Cats are not afraid of water. I have indoor/outdoor cats that have no problem getting wet. But when it's time for a bath, they freak. Then I found a way to make the water come quietly out of the shower hose and all is good. Just make sure the water is warm and you dry the cat with a towel (or a lot of towels) as much as possible before letting it run off to take it's own kind of bath.

Answer 3

Actually my cat is very intrigued by water, I'm not sure if she's scared of it. She could sit and watch a water faucet drip for 20 minutes. She is also fascinated by glasses full of water and likes to tip them over. She has fallen into the bathtub on several occasions (which is extremely hilarious...wet cats are so goofy looking), and aside from the fact that she's shocked she's wet, she doesn't mind. She always makes sure to lick every drop of water off of her asap! I think most breeds just don't like being wet, and therefore avoid water so people think it's a phobia. I have friends who say their cats love taking baths, and some breeds actually swim!

Answer 4

cats aren't afraid of water...they just don't like to get wet. when necessary, cats can swim better than dogs! and some actually do like water, but they are the acception to the rule. and they are mostly short haired varieties that dry quickly.

think about it. when a cat gets wet, how do they dry themselves? now, their tongues are, just like humans and every other creature i can thiink of, only a fraction the size of their bodies. imagine how long it would take them to get dry using just that. or better yet, try imagining how long and exhausting it would be to dry yourself if you were 6 feet tall and only had a 6X6 inch wash cloth. by the time you got done, you would be cold and tired of trying. the principle is the same.

Answer 5

have you ever seen a cat fall in a garden pond trying to catch the fish.. i have and yes they can swim.. some not all do not like getting wet.
cats are afraid of water rule does not always apply because
Bengals love water and so do Serengetis..,
My serengeti cats will often sit beside me when I have a bath .. My freinds Bengal will drink from the tap .. play with the water and has even been in the shower with her.

Answer 6

When cats were first created by God the world was made of mostly water and cats would sweat mostly water so they thought they were water and feared it

Answer 7

Some cats are not afraid of water - I have one that's fascinated by it.

But a wet cat loses the insulation that it gets from its fur. Since cats are typically about 98 degrees inside, they get cold really fast.

Besides, when they get wet, they have to clean themselves ALL over. That's a heck of a job.

Answer 8

Actually, not all cats are. I've always had Maine Coons & they just LOVE water. One of mine likes me to put the kitchen faucet on (a drip, not full blast) and she will sit under there until she's soaking wet. They also love to get in the tub when I get out of the shower & stir the water in their bowls & dip their paws in to drink from them like raccoons!

Answer 9

I recently rescued a wild kitten. We cleaned him under a faucet with comfortably warm water. He enjoyed a nice 3 day stay with us before we gave him to a caring home. I get constant updates about that little rascal, and I often hear that while his owner is doing the dishes, he likes to jump onto the counter and climb down into the sink to try and get under the running water.

Answer 10

my hemilayin cat has been bathed since being a kitten, and she loves the water. She's used to it and loves it.