Cats do not like water because of their dense fur, which becomes heavy and limits their ability to swim. Their predator instinct also drives them to avoid aquatic environments.
Cats have a unique coat made up of fine, dense, and lightweight hairs. This coat forms a sort of insulating layer that keeps the animal warm. When their fur gets wet, it loses all its protective volume and water comes into direct contact with their skin. The result? An immediate discomfort, due to the sensation of dampness and the sudden chill. Furthermore, their fur takes a long time to dry, prolonging their discomfort. This unpleasant feeling is more than enough for cats to avoid water at all costs.
The ancestors of cats lived mainly in dry and arid environments like the desert regions of Africa or the Middle East. For thousands of years, evolving in these areas with little water gave them no reason to develop an attraction to the aquatic environment. They hunted by staying low to the ground, silent and alert, without needing to cross rivers or dive to catch their prey. Over time, this evolutionary trait became ingrained in their genes, making them naturally resistant to water. Large felines, direct cousins of our domestic cats, show the same distant attitude towards water, with a few rare exceptions like the tiger, which is perfectly comfortable swimming.
Cats have a slightly higher body temperature than we do. Therefore, they quickly feel thermal discomfort when their fur is wet. A wet coat loses its ability to effectively insulate against the cold. As a result, the cat quickly goes from the feeling of cozy comfort to an unpleasant impression of intense cold. It's no wonder they try to avoid water whenever they can.
A cat that has a bad experience with water is likely to remember it for a long time. Sometimes, just one forced shower or an involuntary fall into the bathtub can create a kind of trauma. Since they are very good at associating an event with an unpleasant sensation, this makes approaching water difficult, even stressful, in the future. These negative memories often explain why your cat reacts with anxiety as soon as it sees the open faucet or the bathtub filling up.
Some breeds of cats, such as the Van Turkish, are surprisingly comfortable in water and even enjoy swimming occasionally.
Cats have a naturally higher body temperature than humans (around 38 to 39 °C), which explains why they feel the cold particularly acutely when they are wet.
Water temporarily compromises the protective fur of cats, thereby reducing their thermal insulation capacity until they are dry again.
The olfactory glands located on a cat's body release pheromones, which are essential for marking their territory and communicating. Frequent bathing can disrupt these natural scents and cause them stress.
It is important to proceed gradually and with patience. Start slowly by lightly moistening its paws, rewarding it with a treat or petting. Then, gradually increase the amount of water. Always respect its pace to avoid creating a traumatic association with water.
Cats take care of their own hygiene through their daily natural grooming. Therefore, it is generally not necessary to give them frequent baths. However, in the case of stubborn dirt, parasites, or toxic substances, washing may become essential.
If your cat accidentally falls into the water, take it out immediately, dry it off with a towel, and keep it warm to prevent hypothermia. Monitor its behavior in the following hours to ensure it recovers normally from the incident.
Although the majority of cats instinctively avoid water, there are exceptions, such as certain breeds like the Bengal or the Maine Coon, which enjoy contact with water or at least tolerate it better than others.
Yes, there are various accessories that facilitate cat hygiene, such as dry shampoos in powder or foam form, wipes specifically designed for cats, and gentle washing gloves that allow for quick and non-invasive cleaning.
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