Why Are Cats Scared of Water?

Why are Cats Scared of Water

It is a common belief and at the same time a reality. Water isn’t the best friend of a cat. Basically all the species of the feline kingdom have objections when it comes to water. Not only in human-dominated environments, but in nature and home-habitats, as well! This tension seems to have big roots in cats’ nature and to those roots we are about to give a look today.

With our research we noticed and wrote down these 6 interesting factors that determine cats’ behaviour concerning water:

• Genetic factor

In a great number of species in the animal kingdom many times a tension or fear has passed into the next generations, even after thousands of years. These are instincts deeply buried in the DNA of this species or, in some cases, of a whole animal category. Resistance in water is widely justified owing to the fact primitive felines have lived in a dry environment, with limited access to water. Maybe only for drinking purposes.

In this way, water has passed on to cats as something they are not familiar with, even if many cats nowadays grow in places rich in water!

• Cats pay attention to clean and tidy hair

What does grooming mean for a cat? Everything! 10% - 15% of a cat's daily time goes to grooming with the main purpose of keeping their fur tidy and "combed". With their tongue - which has plenty of different uses - they maintain their hair in the right wet levels and also keep it tidy and clean.

When water disturbs this order in their cleaning routine, cats become avoidable to water.

• Water will lower body temperature

Cats have an average body temperature between 100.5 F - 102.5 F. Anything under or above those rates upsets cats, unlike what happens with human beings.

Especially, cats with sensitive hair, which are mainly domestic species, have a bit more of this sense of upset!

This stresses the significance of adjusting the water into room-temperature when bathing your pet.

• Fear of water in cat ears

Ear channels of cats are far more different than humans'. Ear channels are deeper and mazer. This usually leads to big water concentration in ears once they get wet and apart from being annoying it affects hearing.

• Affect the judgment of odor

Cats, as well as dogs, have innate instincts that force them to rely on their nose for their awareness, determinations and dangers. Should you stay and notice, cats smell anything before it is put in their months. They smell before touch and they smell while exploring. Imagine, being at the risk of losing this sense due to water.

• Thought to be attacked

Unknown factors cause cats - and most animals, in general - a natural resistance. When it comes to out pet cats which are rarely exposed to water and have the resistant instincts it makes sense that they will see water as a potential danger.

But Some Cats Like Water

The truth is that the majority isn't keen on water. But it is a fact that there are exceptions to the rule!

First exposure to water plays a part. Should pet owners make sure the first touch with water - namely the first bath - has happened with care in a calm and friendly situation, they give a great positive stimulus to their cat for learning water as something completely safe.

At the same time the issue also lies to the breed of your lovely pet. There are some breeds naturally more confident with water, such as:

• Turkish Van
• Japanese Bobtail
• Norwegian forest cat
• Maine Coon

…And the list is going on!

How Do I Get My Cat to Like Water?

At first glance, everything is a matter of attention. You should hold the cat's attention when you introduce it to the water for the first time. In this way the citie will stay in the water but will not try to escape, as it is focused somewhere else.

Until it realizes it is in the water, the cat will get used to it, seeing that there isn't something wrong here.

The best way to catch and hold a cat's attention is by food or favorite toys! Bring up her best toys. Usually cats love things that they can scuff with their nails. Try something like that.

The important is to start adding water calmly and not put the animal in a a full bathtub. Slowly start increasing the level of water, while you have cat's attention focused on somewhere else. Put always room-temperature water and make the transition smooth.