Why does my cat hate water?
Have you ever wondered why cats don’t like water? Dogs do, so why not cats?
They have their reasons!
Water gets into a cat's coat
Everyone knows that cats hate water. But why? They have a natural aversion to water because they have a coat that is designed to keep them dry. The coat is made up of an outer layer of long guard hairs and a dense undercoat that insulates the cat from the cold. The oils produced by the cat’s skin help to repel water and keep the coat from becoming waterlogged. Cats also have little webbing between their toes which makes it hard for them to swim.
Cats like to be clean and dry for hunting
Another reason cats hate water is because they are predators and their instinct is to keep themselves as clean and dry as possible in order to maintain their hunting abilities. Being wet would make it harder for them to move stealthily and effectively stalk and catch prey.
Cats may feel helpless in water
Additionally, cats are naturally independent animals and they may not be comfortable with the idea of being submerged in water, which can be a novel and potentially stressful experience for them. Some cats may also have had a negative experience with water in the past, such as being bathed or sprayed with water as punishment, which can make them even more wary of it.
It's in their cat genes!
Lastly, domestic cats are descended from wild African and Middle Eastern ancestors, which have arid or semi-arid environments, it’s not necessary for them to have any contact with water, so they haven’t developed the adaptations that other animals have for living in or around water..
But you can try to make your cat like water
In conclusion, cats have a natural aversion to water due to their coat, predatory instincts, independence and lack of adaptations for living in or around water. It’s not uncommon for cats to hate water, but some cats may tolerate or even enjoy being in the water if they are introduced to it in a positive and gradual way. From personal experience, try gently immersing your cat in lukewarm water (while holding them safely). This way they do not get a temperature shock.
Erica
