Why do cats not like water? Ahh, a question for the ages!
Cats are funny creatures, some do like water! It is not uncommon for cats to enjoy splashing and pawing at streams of water but this probably has more to do with the play on light or shininess of the water than the love of water. Some breeds of cats are known for enjoying swimming, such as the Turkish Van, which has been nicknamed “the swimming cat”.
Whilst domestic cats can swim, they usually have limited exposure to water because most cat owners do not bathe their cats as often as they do dogs. In most cases, they do not like to enter water as it can be an exhausting experience for them. Cats don’t hate water – they merely dislike getting their fur wet. A cat’s coat isn’t designed to be drenched as it is very thick and has a dense undercoat that takes a long time to dry out if soaked through. Unlike dogs, cats’ fur is not very oily which means it does not have the same water-resistant and quick dry properties. Therefore if a cat gets wet they are likely to get very cold which in the wild could be fatal. Even though many cats love the taste of fish, historically they are not ocean or river-dwelling creatures. Domesticated cats are descendants of felines that typically once lived in dry arid areas. They have never learned to swim because there was no evolutionary need for it.
Cats are very fastidious creatures. They spend a lot of time grooming themselves and this regimen of self-cleaning usually makes up for a better part of the cat’s daily schedule and indeed its entire life. Being given a bath doesn’t make any sense for a cat as it physically doesn’t feel any cleaner after a bath and they aren’t big fans of having anything that doesn’t smell “normal” on their fur.
If your cat is dirty or sticky, you might prefer to try a sponge or cloth bath to get them clean. Use a specially formulated cat shampoo that won’t dry out their skin, and apply it to the sponge or cloth. Rub any dirty spots or wipe them all over. Rinse out the cloth or sponge and gently wipe your cat off with clear water. They will take care of the rest.
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