Why are cats afraid of water?

5 reasons why cats don’t like water

Why do many cats calmly drink from the kitchen faucet, but at the same time they are terribly afraid of water in the bathroom? Some experts believe that noisy, moving, overflowing water can stimulate the desire of our pets to catch prey. This instinct does not work at the sight of a static “enemy” – for example, a full bath. But what in calm water can be so embarrassing for our four-legged friends?

History

One of the reasons why cats don’t like to bathe may lie in the origin of the animals. Our pets’ ancestors lived in dry, desert environments, which means they weren’t adapted to swimming or spending time in the water. This trait may have survived and passed on to modern cats, who now simply don’t like water.

The story may also explain other four-legged habits. Since according to some versions, our pets are descended from steppe cats, this may explain their love of sunlight, warmth and dry paws.

Temperature

Another reason why cats don’t particularly like water is a matter of animal comfort and safety. According to scientific data, the average temperature of cats is between 37,8 and 39,2°C, which is significantly higher than human values. This means that cats have a high heat tolerance and tend to stay warm. A comfortable temperature for them is the key to conserving energy for hunting or play.

Since our pets’ coats absorb a lot of water, a wet coat can be too cold for cats and even pose a safety risk by limiting the animals’ mobility.

Fear of the new

Cats in general don’t like to be introduced to new things. Imagine for yourself how intimidating a bath or a pool can seem to a small kitten!

“As with any unfamiliar object, the initial reaction of cats can be fear,” says veterinarian Jennifer Kasten. “This fear may be exacerbated if owners have previously used a water gun or spray can to wean their pets off unwanted surfaces like furniture or kitchen counters.”

Smell

Many cats are also afraid of water because it prevents them from perceiving the world around them with their sense of smell. A study published in Applied Animal Behavior Science proves that the sense of smell of our Murziks is more sensitive than that of humans or dogs. The sense of smell is the main tool with which cats analyze the environment. It is necessary for communication, hunting, detection of predators, and even for awareness of one’s own identity.

The scientific work explains that the nose of mammals has three different kinds of receptors; one of them controls our ability to distinguish smells. Humans have only two variants of this protein, dogs have nine, and cats have as many as 30!

The water contains chemicals and solutes that our pets sensitive noses can smell. As a result, one of the versions why cats do not like to bathe is the unwillingness to “pick up” these unpleasant odors.

In addition, fluffy ones spend a lot of time marking their territory with their own scent. Not surprisingly, they may not like it when this smell is washed away.

Injury

Sometimes cats are afraid of water because of a negative previous experience of getting wet, for example, if the pet was doused as a punishment or injured during the bathing procedure. Since cats do not understand punishment, training with treats and rewards for good behavior is much more effective and less likely to lead to such unfortunate consequences as phobias.

Why are cats afraid of water, but dogs are not?

It is believed that unlike cats, dogs just love to swim. While this is partly true, and many dogs are literally made for water play, some ponytails are worse at playing in the water – these can be heavy breeds like bulldogs or dogs with short legs like dachshunds.

In addition to the genetic predisposition of tetrapods to water sports, dogs tend to encounter baths and ponds at an earlier age, and, accordingly, get used to hygiene procedures faster.

How to teach a cat to water?

Your cat may not be very happy about this, but you can help her overcome her fear of water and get her used to bathing. It should be a gradual learning process and it will be easiest to start in childhood, between the ages of 3 and 16 weeks. The steps may be as follows:

1. Start with a mini bath. Fill a bowl or tub with just a few inches of warm water and place your cat in it, observing her reaction. Pet and treat your cat for good behavior, then take it out and dry its paws well. Repeat this procedure for several days in a row to accustom your pet to new sensations. Gradually increase the amount of water in the bowl.

2. Add a distraction element. For example, put a small toy in the bathtub that will ride the waves and maybe make a little noise.

3. Start swimming. If everything goes smoothly, try giving your furry a full bath. Wet the cat, starting at the neck, then move on to the body and paws, belly and tail. Lather the animal, and then rinse off the soap, being as gentle as possible and avoiding sudden movements that may frighten the cat.

4. Talk to your pet while bathing. This will help your ponytail feel calmer and more confident in a stressful environment.

5. Dry your cat well. Dry your pet with a warm towel, and then gently comb it with a brush. To pamper your cat, use massage gloves – they are great for making the coat soft and shiny.

Keep in mind that it can take a few weeks for a cat to successfully introduce itself to the water, but if you are patient and consistent enough, you can make the bathing experience fun for even the most fearful kitten in the world!