As a cat lover, you must have been awash with so many funny videos of cats and bathtubs on the internet and how they are the worst of friends by their sheer horror expressions.
Or you might be a cat owner who has experienced a happy feline friend turn into a miniature lion within seconds when you try to bathe them.
Trying to bathe a cat is almost similar to climbing Mount Everest’s summit.
They hate water so much that they will only come close to a water bowl for drinking or splashing when playing.
So why then do they hate larger bodies of water? what could be the reasons for their aversion?
Reasons Why Cats Hate Water:
It is no secret cats, do not love water. Here are the true reasons why they hate water.
1. Evolutionary instincts:
Originally, cats were descendants of desert-dwelling animals that had little interaction with large water bodies.
Large water bodies such as lakes, seas, and rivers were alien to them for so many years, and their instincts to date have reflected their aversion to adaptation.
2. Fur and Insulation:
Cats are susceptible to little changes in their temperature and they love to feel warm at all times.
When they are wet either by bathing or by a splash of water, their body temperature quickly changes because the furs that keep them warm are damped or wet making them extremely uncomfortable.
3. Past Traumas/ Negative Experiences:
Just as humans and other animals, we can easily experience traumas from negative or uncomfortable experiences and our instinct is to avoid such experiences.
Cats that have had a terrible experience with water while bathing, submerged, or through a splash as a kitten, will naturally grow up to hate water.
Their aversion to these experiences might be long-lasting for a long time in most cats.
4. Loss Of Control:
Have you ever wondered why a cat will happily play with a dripping tap but will be so terrified and resist any attempt to be in a bathtub?
This is because they always love to be in control of their habits and environment and being in a bathtub or being submerged in water does not allow them to be in control.
Their feline instincts make them go haywire when the ground is slippery and they can’t hold their balance and when their furs, eyes, and body are weighing them down because of the accumulation of water.
5. Scents and Chemicals:
Cats do have a keen sense of smell that can easily detect chlorine as well as other chemicals in tap, bath, and other sources of water.
These smells can be strange and most times irritating to most cats which makes them detest these sources of water.
Do all Cats Hate Water:
While it is a general assumption that cats hate water, it is worth noting that not all cats hate water.
There are always some exceptions to most rules and that also applies to the notion that cats hate water.
What Breed Of Cats Love Water:
Some breeds of cats such as Turkish Van, Bengal, Maine Coon, Siberian, American Bobtail, and Abyssinian, love water mostly due to their personal preference and experiences as a kitten.
They love to swim and enjoy water play.
These breeds of cats have a waterproof coat and they are very adventurous.
Can I Get My Cat To Like Water:
Yes, cats can be trained to like water just like other animals.
They are intelligent animals that are easy to train and can learn to be comfortable with water when trained though it may require a long process and patience for them to adapt.