Most people, without thinking, will answer the question: “What are cats most afraid of?” Of course, water! Can they answer why cats are afraid of water? Genetics, evolution, personal dislike, phobia? What is the reason for the seemingly irrational fear inherent in these brave creatures?
Zoologists at one time paid close attention to this issue. Probably just out of curiosity, but it was worth it: it turned out that the mustachioed hunters are not afraid of water at all, and do not want to get wet for completely rational reasons.
Risk of hypothermia
Between the top layer of fur and the cat’s skin there is a “layer” of air - the so-called air cushion. This is a protective layer that is heated by the warmth of the cat's body and prevents the pet from freezing. When wet, wool loses its insulating properties. But why are cats afraid of water and dogs are not? To understand, you need to remember the lifestyle of these two animals.
A dog is a pack animal; if it gets cold, it will cuddle up to its fellow tribesman and warm up. The dog hunts, chasing prey - it ran and dried up. The dog tracks game, covering long distances - it has walked and dried off. In addition, they also know how to shake themselves off - droplets of water literally slide off the fur covered with sebum. Now it’s obvious why cats don’t like to swim: there’s no one to snuggle up to, they wait for prey almost without moving, they rarely leave the territory (almost never, to be precise), and they don’t know how to shake themselves off. She lay there and froze while the dog frolicked and dried out. Of course, a pet is unlikely to become hypothermic if it dries out in an apartment, but at the genetic level it “remembers” that wet fur will not protect against the cold.
A wet fur coat is taboo
The distant voice of ancestors whispers clues where animals have no experience. One of these instincts explains why cats are afraid of water - they simply sense the troubles emanating from it.
Even if Murka has never swam, genetic memory dictates to retreat before the blue element:
- The need to lick yourself after bathing will take a lot of time and distract you from observing your surroundings, which is life-threatening. And if you have to get wet in a musty swamp, washing your face will also be disgusting.
- Sunstroke due to wet fur is a good reason why cats don't like water. Thanks to the air cushion at the roots, the thick, dry wool perfectly protects against temperature changes. When wet, a fur coat loses this property. In nature, dogs have much less hair, and their thermoregulation is worse. But they can breathe with their tongue hanging out to cool themselves. Cats can’t do that, and therefore they quickly overheat.
- The risk of hypothermia due to a wet fur coat also does not add to the desire to swim. The dog cuddles up to its fellow tribesman or simply runs around to dry out. A cat's thicker coat will not dry out from running around, and he will not make so much noise. Without sentinels and the protection of fellow tribesmen, you have to behave secretly. This means that the wool will take a long time to dry, which is dangerous for health in the cold season.
- The smell of wet wool intensifies many times over. As the moisture evaporates, it spreads the characteristic amber around. Not wanting to give yourself away is a very powerful instinct that explains why cats don't like water. The strong smell will certainly attract predators and betray it to prey.
- Bacteria, fungi and other microflora multiply quickly in a warm, humid environment. In cool weather, thick fur will remain damp at the roots for several days, which can lead to infection.
Can cats swim?
Of course yes. Moreover, felines are excellent swimmers by nature, capable of covering considerable distances, disdainfully stretching out their faces above the water and opening their sparkling eyes in horror (apparently, they are going through the consequences of getting wet in their minds). It is interesting that cats can swim almost from birth - even one-month-old kittens actively work with their paws, scooping up water like a dog.
But why would cats, who hate water, need this skill? It's not hard to guess: cats can swim, like most warm-blooded animals, literally just in case. What if there is a flood? Or will the pursuing enemy drive you straight to the river?
Other reasons
Let's say the cat did survive the bath. He needs 2-3 hours of diligent licking to get his fur in order. Pets do not like the smell of chlorinated tap water, and if the liquid gets into their ears, they are at risk of inflammation. Felines are naturally timid, and an animal that has not seen water will be wary of bathing.
The last reason is a different body temperature in pets. It is significantly lower than that of humans. Warm water, according to the owner, seems like an ice-cold shower to the pet.
Waterfowl
Strange but true: many wild cats have no fear of hypothermia, overheating or germs. They are not even afraid of the smell, which makes the cat more noticeable to prey and potential enemies. Wild cats that love to swim happily frolic in the water, dive and catch splashes, absolutely not thinking about the consequences of getting their fur wet: tigers, servals, jaguarundi, Sumatran cats.
The lifestyle of the speckled cat is remarkable. Viverrina would probably be very surprised to learn that some people doubt whether cats can swim. This savage does not miss a single chance to splash around, diving deeply and swimming several meters underwater. In addition, she hunts fish, preferring river inhabitants to land-based prey.
Domestic swimmers
Domestic cats that are not afraid of water are not that uncommon. Many pets enthusiastically play with the stream running from the tap, catch droplets of rain, and stir up the water poured into the pan with their paws. Some even cool down on hot days by putting their heads under the stream flowing from the tap. Special unique ones jump into the bathtub when the owner is taking a shower: either for company, or out of curiosity, but on their own, voluntarily!
Very roughly, we can name the breeds of smart cats that love water: Bengal, Turkish Van, Sphynx, Rex, Kuril Bobtail, Savannah. However, these are only general trends, since all cats have an individual character.
The attitude towards water is often formed during the first “meeting” with the mysterious element
And here lies another reason why cats don’t like water. A freedom-loving, proud, independent and even sometimes arrogant pet, she does not tolerate violence, rough treatment and coercion. And owners often make a difficult mistake to correct already during the first bath, by forcefully holding the cat in the bath, scolding it for bad behavior and not giving it the opportunity to “get acquainted” with the water in a calm environment. Fear-stress-fear for life.
Alternative washing methods
There is another, less commonly used method of bathing a cat. It passes through a special mesh bag. The device itself is like a bag that is attached to a cat's neck. It can be purchased at a pet store.
The bag is made of thick polyester, and it does not allow the pet to “rage”: it will not be able to escape, scratch, or bite. And the net does not interfere with soaping and washing the animal at all. Both the cat and the owner are calm.
In some cases, you can dry your cat with a hairdryer after bathing, but only if the animal is not afraid of the noise of an electrical appliance. The owners almost always brush the cat after a bath.
Don't despair if you don't succeed on the first try. The cat might not be in the right mood, or the owner himself might not be completely ready for a bath.
How to wash a cat is clearly shown in the video below.
How to teach a cat to love water?
Since Nature herself took it upon herself to teach a cat to swim, the owner only needs to show the pet that water procedures are not only not dangerous, but also fun.
First “meeting”: a shallow bowl, five centimeters of water and floating objects (pieces of polystyrene foam, chocolate egg containers, etc.). We place the bowl on the floor and attract the pet’s attention by throwing toys into the water. The main thing is to do it carefully, without splashing. Sooner or later, a curious cat will not be able to resist and will try to catch the “prey”.
A representative of a breed of smart cats who love water can immediately be subjected to a more difficult test: a shallow wide basin, ten centimeters of water and mechanical floating toys. We proceed as described above.
When the cat gets bored of playing with splashes in the basin, it’s time to go to the bathroom: pour some warm water and throw mechanical toys in there
We place a wide, heavy board across the bathtub (so that it doesn’t rattle and “drive away” when the pet jumps). Some breeders put live fish in the bath, which is even more attractive. We show the cat the “battlefield” and enjoy the spectacle. Having jumped from the board into the bath for the first time, your pet will probably jump out of there with lightning speed. But since no one and nothing is holding her back or forcing her, she will return to the game, because she can always leave.
Preparation for water procedures
Prepare for washing the cat in advance.
Everything necessary for the procedure is laid out nearby, and unnecessary items are removed. Protect your pet's ears with large balls of cotton wool. They should be large enough to cover the ear canal, and after the procedure it will not be difficult to remove them.
To clean the fur, use special shampoos for animals. Detergents for humans are not suitable for them: such products have a different acidity level (PH) and cause irritation on the skin of pets.
Nail trimming
To protect yourself and the animal if it scratches, the cat’s claws are cut before taking a bath. Frightened cats often try to get out of the bathtub by climbing up their owner's arms.
An animal without claws will cause fewer injuries.
Use of special devices
The device will help pacify your pet: he will not scratch or try to get out of the water.
Large mesh cells do not prevent the penetration of water and detergents into the wool, and bathing will take place without problems. The owner will have both hands free, he can easily soap the pet and rinse off the detergent.
Bath equipment
It is important to prepare the bathroom before bathing your cat at home. A soft mat is placed at the bottom of the bath, which fits snugly to the surface. Place 2 buckets with a volume of up to 15 liters nearby, wide but shallow, fill them with warm water
Metal containers create a lot of noise, so it is better to choose plastic. Several caps of concentrated pet detergent are dissolved in one
Place 2 buckets with a volume of up to 15 liters nearby, wide but shallow, and fill them with warm water. Metal containers create a lot of noise, so it is better to choose plastic. Several caps of concentrated pet detergent are dissolved in one.
Detergents are placed on the side of the bathroom so that they are easy to reach.
The shower is turned on at the lowest power so that the noise of the water does not frighten the pet. Place old towels or clean sheets nearby, which absorb liquid well after bathing.
Assistant
If a cat bites or runs away from the bath, and there is no special device to restrain it, the help of another family member is needed.
It is easier to bathe a cat without consequences together: the assistant will hold the pet, and the owner will wash the animal without difficulty.
