Do cats really hate water?
Cats feel about water as many people feel about cilantro — there’s no in-between — you either love, or you hate it! Hating the water is a pretty well-known aversion that cats have, so why do they shy away from strolling the occasional rainstorm or throw fits if they need a bath?
The Vet Set understands all of the curiosities and peculiarities that come with loving cats! Take a moment and learn more about cats and water in today’s post.
A Cat’s Evolution
It is thought that the domestication of cats begins in ancient times in the Middle East. The desert climates of the Middle East are often dry, void of an abundance of sources of water such as rivers and lakes, with a low rainfall average.
Early on, cats weren’t exposed to a great deal of water, and even if they were, water meant predators such as crocodiles.
Because of this early adaptation to not being exposed to water and encountering water-dwelling predators, it is thought that these things are what may attribute to many cats avoiding water.
But, not all cats avoid the water!
Many breeds of cats such as the Turkish Van and Turkish Angora love the water and are known for their skilled swimming abilities, they’ve even adapted to the water and shed their coats in the summer season to better swim and fish. Other cats that enjoy the water are Maine Coons and Bengals.
Cats also have their unceasing fascination with dripping water. Have you ever found your cat in the bathroom or kitchen sink pawing at the water trying to catch a drop or two? This water game is something that can keep them entertained for a good span of time.
When it comes to cats loving or hating the water, it really comes down to the individual cat — and that should come as no surprise!
3 Reasons Why Cats Can Hate The Water
Beyond their early and natural adaptations, there are a variety of reasons why cats may hate the water.
Cats may not enjoy being wet.
A large part of a cat’s daily routine is grooming themselves which not only helps with their hygiene, but it also helps them regulate their body temperature. If cats suddenly get soaked from a downpour or an accidental dip in the family pool, this makes their coat very heavy, which can affect how they regulate their body temperature.
Being wet can just be an uncomfortable sensation that can bog down their ability to be quick and nimble, greatly impairing their fight or flight response.
Cat Sensitivities
When it comes to heightened senses, cats have an amazing sense of smell that is roughly 14 times sensitive than ours. If you try to introduce your cat to bathtime, it may not necessarily be the water but the strongly scented shampoos. It is also thought that if you have an abundance of chemicals in your water, such as chlorine, they may also have an aversion to a chemical smell.
Training Methods
Many people train their cats to keep them from scratching and other undesirable behaviors by using water. Spray bottles filled with water are spritzed when a cat is caught in the act, so naturally, the cat begins to negatively associate water.
Do cats really need baths?
In most cases, cats are very diligent about grooming themselves, so a consistent bath schedule is typically not needed. There are some cases — medical issues, senior cats, overweight cats, etc. — that may need a bath to help keep them clean, and there is always the occasional bath that your cat needs because they rolled in something smelly.
How To Help Your Cat Enjoy Bath Time
There will come a day when you will need to give your cat a bath, so it’s important to associate this with a positive experience. If you do have a cat that doesn’t love the water, there are a few tips and tricks to help them.
Acclimate Your Cat – Your cat may not enjoy the water, but they don’t inherently hate the bathroom, so try making the bathroom the place to be. Put their favorite toy in the tub or a special treat such as tuna or anchovy paste along the bath rim.
Put Water in the Bath – Once your cat feels comfortable, put a little water (an inch or two) and put your cat in the bath with their favorite toys. Play with your cat and continue feeding them treats.
Keep it Calm – Fill your tub with warm water (a little more this time) and put your cat back in, of course with all their toys and treats. Avoid turning on a heavy stream of water and don’t use a spray device. Instead, gently pour cups of water on your cat.
A nice warm towel is a cherry on top!
Hopefully, the bath goes well and your cat creates a new, positive association with water!
There may be a variety of reasons your cat evades water — from an early adaptation of inexposure or safety to negative associations such as being sprayed with water in training or strong scents. Your cat may always hate water but with newly formed associations, you may be able to get them to take a bath!
For more cat tips and tricks or to schedule an appointment at our Carroll Gardens vet clinic, connect with us today!
