Content
- Why are cats afraid of water?
- feel cornered
- Lack of well-being and calm
- The key: patience
- fear of the unknown
- Bathing in cats: do you have cats that like it?
Cats are known for their hygiene and personal care and love to drink water, but when it comes to bathing, they usually don't like it very much. Is this a trend that happens to all cats? And the most important, why do cats hate water?
This is the question that all cat owners ask when they have to battle their pet to get a bath, or when they see that the cat runs away if it is splashed with a little water.
See in this Animal Expert article if this mystery is real or if this predisposition has any scientific justification, and above all, if all felines suffer from this terrible fear of getting wet. Find out why cats hate water!
Why are cats afraid of water?
Theories of feline conspiracy against bathing are varied. The main one has to do with its origin as a species. Most cats live in desert regions in the Middle East, which means that access to water was not so regular.
Later with evolution and migrations, cats began to experience life in other areas where water was more frequent. This means that some cat breeds have in their genes a tendency to stay away from water, while other breeds are more used to it.
In fact, cats feel a magnetism for water and can get a little silly just watching the water, but at the same time, feel a certain respect. It's similar to the reaction we humans have to the ocean.
feel cornered
Cats, although domesticated, are wild animals at their core. They don't like to feel trapped and like to have a certain independence. When a cat is soaked in water, its fur weighs much more and this compromises its agility and mobility. Wet skin becomes a antonym of freedom.
Lack of well-being and calm
Most cats love the water, and despite being fantastic swimmers, what they really don't like is being immersed in it, much less unexpectedly. Cats love to take things easy and have their own pace.
Our favorite cats are customs animals and they don't like surprises very much, not even on their birthday. That's why it's very important to educate them with a bathing routine since they are puppies, otherwise it can turn into an unpleasant experience for them and will cause water to have a negative connotation in your pet's life.
The key: patience
Cats love to feel that they can control their environment and the things that happen to them. On the other hand, they are extremely curious creatures, but it is a discreet and cautious curiosityTherefore, before trying the water, a cat will first pass to the side and very calmly, in a place where there is water, and only after that, water the stop, smell the liquid, stick its head and so on. Be patient, as always, never force it.
fear of the unknown
The smell of water is essential for the cat to feel interested in it. Cats are animals with a highly developed sense of smell and can differentiate between fresh water that comes from natural sources and water processed with chemicals.
It is not surprising to see cats enjoying a well or natural pond and at the same time desperately running away from a bath in the bathtub or a jet of water from a faucet.
All of the previous theories are based on some studies by specialists in cats, not only on a scientific level, but also on a psychological level. However, there is still a lot to know and experts continue to investigate the deep and interesting world of domestic cats.
Bathing in cats: do you have cats that like it?
Although it is possible to clean a cat without getting it wet, in cases of extreme dirt this will not be possible. If you find yourself in this situation, it will be important to use products such as the dry cleaning shampoo for cats.
A cat who does not want to bathe should not be forced to do so. Only small cats that have followed a socialization process that included water are used to and tolerate this human hygienic routine.
However, if your cat is used to or hasn't tried bathing you yet and you don't know what your reaction will be, we recommend that you visit our article on Bathing your cat at home.
