Cats and Water – Cause of Fear | Truth | Fiction

When it comes to cats and water, it is generally accepted that all cats hate swimming and swimming. Some people may even be shocked if they see that the fluffy voluntarily splashes in the bathroom. However, not all cats are afraid of water, some even love it very much. What does it depend on and why do most cats do not tolerate water procedures?

In the article you will also find out some breeds of cats that like to splash around in water. And also share tips – how to teach four-legged swim, and at the same time not cause them health problems or well-being.

What breeds of cats like water?

Some pussies love to swim and swim more than others. In fact, they have such a physique that turns them into excellent swimmers as soon as they are immersed in water.

One of these breeds is Turkish van. They are often called “waterfowl.” The body of these pussies seems to be designed for swimming – the length of the limbs, the roundness of the legs, and strong muscles.

Maine Coons are also big fans of swimming, although they are considered one of the largest domestic breeds! Their strong bodies are suitable for keeping perfectly on the water. And they can … draw water with their paws. They just use this ability, they are most often in the toilet, scooping up water from the toilet. Most owners do not like it very much, which is not surprising!

Bengals are also good swimmers. They come from Asian leopard cats, so they still have a natural instinct in order to splash around and play in the water.

Reasons for hostility to water

Although some cats love to swim, most four-legged cats still tremble at the sight of a full bath! There are many reasons for this, and here are the most common ones.

Wool pulls to the bottom

If the cat is long-haired and starts to swim, then the coat may become too heavy, which makes it very difficult to stay on the water. Pet coat is not waterproof. And this means that they feel less protected in the water because they lose their agility, speed and agility.

Cold

Another reason a cat may hate water is because her body temperature drops sharply. The coat in pets is not so long, therefore, it does not protect the skin from getting water on it. This makes the four-legged feel very cold and instinctively try to get out of the water as soon as possible.

Odor sensitivity

Cats are also extremely sensitive to odors, so some do not like to swim. They may not accept the smell of water itself or chemical impurities in it. For the same reason, many pets do not like to drink from the tap.

And there is another theory. Some scientists believe that cats have an ancient fear of getting wet, which they inherited from their ancestors. Many domestic cat breeds are descended from Arabian wild cats. Their ancestors lived in areas where there were almost no large bodies of water. Therefore, they never had to learn to swim.

Safety Tips for Swimming and Bathing Cats

If even a cat likes to swim, then still the owner should follow several safety rules:

• it is important to always monitor the pet in the water and immediately get it out if there is even the slightest suspicion that it cannot calmly stay afloat;
• the ears of cats should always be cleaned and wiped dry after swimming and bathing to prevent inflammation and infection;
• The animal must not be allowed to drink water from a pool or an unknown reservoir in order to prevent intestinal infection and poisoning.

Important! Never force a pet to immerse in water by force! It does not matter whether it is a home bath or a river outside the city.

In fact, domestic cats do not have a special need for frequent bathing. But, if suddenly the pet is very dirty or needs to be bathed after medical procedures, there are several ways to reduce stress.

First of all, it is necessary to fill the bath, and only then carry the cat there. The sound of pouring water and spray can scare the pet.

You can hang a towel on the side of the bathtub so that the puffy feels safe – if anything, he can grab onto the fabric and get out.