Cats hate water primarily because if they get soaked it weighs them down and can make them cold. In general cats don’t like anything on their hair, and will try to get it off as quickly as possible. This is a survival instinct as most cats don’t have water resistant hair.
However, even though cats hate water, most cats can actually swim.
Why Do Cats Hate Water So Much?
There are several possible reasons why cats hate water. Because most cat hate water, it most likely has something to do with survival of the species. There’s usually a good biological reason why animals do what they do.
1. Cats Hate Water For Grooming Reasons
Cats clean themselves through constant grooming. They lick their hair from head to toe to remove any dust, bugs or particles. Cats are fanatics about keeping themselves clean, and really don’t like it when anything foreign gets on them. As any cat owner will attest, dropping anything on your cat will result in them licking that exact spot to get it off as soon as possible.
Just the feeling of water landing on them makes them want to get it off immediately. Therefore, landing in a tub full of water is a nightmare to a cat.
2. Cats Hate Water Because it Weighs Them Down
The pelt of a cat is thick enough to soak up water it touches. And water is heavy. If a cat’s hair soaks up enough water, it can actually weight them down and affect their ability to move quickly or jump places.
This would be a disadvantage for the wild ancestors of the common house cat. Being weighed down could mean you miss out on catching prey. It also might mean you can’t escape from predators; a.k.a. you are the prey.
3. Cats Hate Water Because it Makes Them Cold
Getting drenched in water makes it hard for animals to regulate their body temperature. This effect is more extreme for cats because of how much their pelt soaks up and holds onto water.
In particular, being drenched in water will make cats cold because of the evaporative cooling effect it has. Water also holds temperature really well, and most water found in rivers and lakes is cold.
Cold, wet cats use more energy to stay warm, and even risk getting hypothermia. Therefore, getting weight can be deadly to a cat.
4. Cats Hate Water Because of Their Environment
Another possible, but less probable reason cats hate water is because of the environment their ancestors roamed. Some wild cats lived in warm, dry environments like savanna’s and prairies. As such, they did not develop an affinity for water.
This theory is the least popular, though, because some wild cats lived in very wet forests like in Thailand.
Do All Cats Hate Water?
While it’s safe to say most cats hate waters, it’s also true that not all cats hate water. Some cats like to play and frolic in water. Other cats even like to swim.
Certain breeds of cats, like Maine Coons and Bengal Cats are known for loving water. This might have to do with some of them having more water-resistant layers of hair.
Is Water Bad for Cats?
It’s safe to say cats aren’t witches; they won’t melt if they touch water. And just because cats hate water doesn’t mean it’s bad for them.
Of course cats need to drink water to survive. But they don’t need to take bathes, unless it’s a Sphynx cat, which needs to be bathed regularly, or your cat is really dirty for some reason. However, being touched by a little water from time to time is not bad for their health.
The only time you need to worry is if your cat is soaked in water and in a cold climate. As mentioned earlier, this can be dangerous for a cat, and even cause hypothermia.
Can I Spray My Cat With Water?
Spraying your cat with water as a joke or as punishment is not recommended. This is really stressful to a cat, and not a good way to train a cat. Cats don’t respond well to punishment as training. Positive rewards are a better way to go.
Can Cats Swim?
Even though cats hate water, most cats can actually swim. It’s an instinctive trait that kittens know from birth.
Some cats, like Maine Coons and Sphynx Cats love to swim.
