Why are cats afraid of water?

Most cats avoid water at all costs. Why is that? Here's what a veterinarian has to say about water aversion, from evolutionary traits to cats' unique sensitivities.

 

Why do cats hate water when their larger cousins—like tigers, ocelots, and leopards—have no qualms about taking a dip to cool off or catch prey? Why do cats avoid baths at all costs but will gladly wag their paws at the faucet when you leave the water running?

While veterinarians and researchers aren't completely sure, they have some practical and plausible ideas. Read on to learn why cats hate water and how to get your cat to enjoy baths.

While scientists aren't 100 percent sure why cats dislike water, they can use cat body language and biology to make some strong guesses. Here are the most likely reasons why cats find bath time a torture.

 

Water makes cat fur uncomfortable

A curious cat who accidentally falls into a bubble bath or gets stuck outside in the rain may be predisposed to avoid water. So why do cats hate water after experiencing it? While we might consider it one of those unexplained facts about cats, Eve Elektra Cohen, DVM, an emergency and critical care veterinarian at Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty, has an intriguing theory.

' When cats get wet, their fur becomes thicker, colder, and more uncomfortable. Cat fur can also take a long time to dry, ' she explains. ' Another aspect of discomfort is that cats are fast and agile creatures, light on their feet, and good at jumping and balancing. In water, they can feel out of control because the water slows them down. ' According to Pet MD, just one negative experience, especially one involving discomfort, can keep a cat away from water forever.

They prefer sunbathing to bathing in water.

The cute cats we love to cuddle are descendants of Felis silvestris lybica, a small wildcat that thrives in the arid desert environments of the Middle East. With limited natural water sources such as rivers or lakes, they don't enjoy splashing around in water and prefer to keep their paws and fur dry, often even sunbathing under the desert sky.

 

According to Cats.com, this penchant for sun worship may have been passed down to modern house cats, who enjoy lounging in sunny spots while sleeping.

Cats fear the unknown

Cats don't like unfamiliar things or sudden changes, and they're not used to bodies of water larger than a small dish. So a bathtub or pool can seem quite scary and dangerous.

' As with anything unfamiliar, the initial reaction can be fear ,' says Jennifer Kasten, DVM, a veterinarian at Dechra Veterinary Products. 'This fear response can be exacerbated if the owner uses a water gun or spray bottle to keep the cat off surfaces like furniture or kitchen counters,' she explains.

If your furry friend is afraid of water, you may be wondering: Do cats need baths? Cats are notoriously picky about grooming themselves; they typically spend about 30% to 50% of their day licking and fluffing their fur. So you may not need to bathe your cat very often. However, some cats may not be able to groom hard-to-reach areas, especially if they are arthritic, obese, or otherwise ill, and may really need help with bathing.

They don't need to drink much water.

Have you ever seen your cat stick his nose in his water dish? Although a cat's sense of smell is 14 times stronger than a human's, cats are unlikely to become dehydrated from the smell of water, whether it's drinking water or bath water, says Zac Pilossoph, DVM, a consulting veterinarian with Healthy Paws Pet Insurance.

The lack of interest may stem from their ancestors. In the wild, cats get most of their water needs directly from their food. They are not particularly drawn to open water sources unless they are severely dehydrated, Dr. Pilossoph explains. 'There are theories that the reason domestic cats drink water is because their food does not provide enough water for them.'

While no diet is perfect for all cats, providing adequate moisture is key, which is why the best diet for cats may consist solely of wet canned food.

Why do cats hate water but play with running water?

Why do some cats enjoy running water or even drinking from the kitchen tap but absolutely hate standing water? " The appeal is probably the movement of the water, the noise it makes and the light reflecting off the water ," says Dr. Cohen. " This stimulates a cat's strong hunting instinct ."

Other experts theorize that cats have evolved to prefer clean, safe tap water over stagnant, possibly contaminated water in the wild.