I fail to understand why these poor souls so scared of water.Nothing more bothers a cat than if you pour water on its body. Such a trait we
find in other animals also?

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Rabbit Cages

According to our search results on variations of "cats hate water," it seems that not all cats hate water. In fact, some cats love water.
Dr. Universe notes that cat species native to hot areas seem to enjoy water, whereas cat species from cold areas aren't so fond of the wet stuff. Tigers, lions, jaguars, ocelots, and jaguarundi are all from hot savannas, and they enjoy taking dips in cool, refreshing streams and ponds whenever they get the chance.

Snow leopards, lynx, bobcats, and cougars live in cold environments and have little interest in getting wet. One veterinary professor suggests that water damages the ability of a cat's fur to insulate the animal against cold. This would explain why cold-weather cats don't like water -- it only makes them colder. But hot-weather cats don't have this problem.

Many domestic cats don't seem to enjoy water sports. Of course, they may not experience the extreme heat of the African plains, so they have no great impulse to take a dip. Also, no cats enjoy water used against them in an antagonistic manner or getting water in their eyes or ears. Being sprayed or squirted with water isn't fun, nor is being forced into a bath. Cats much prefer to meet new situations on their own terms.

Some housecats enjoy stepping into a shower or playing with a dripping faucet. The tolerance for water varies from cat to cat and may depend on the cat's previous experience. When people regularly enter their cats in cat shows, the cats must be bathed frequently, and those cats do get accustomed to the procedure. Show cats are often raised for the profession and get used to baths as kittens.

Cats are natural swimmers, and in the wild, a cat will swim to cross a stream or lake. Some Asian cat varieties enjoy fishing and regularly dive into water to catch a tasty meal.

The Turkish Van is a breed of domestic cat that loves the water. This cat is found near Lake Van in Turkey and has been a household pet in the area for centuries. Vans will even swim into the harbor to greet fishing boats!

We had a huge long haired black cat, he was my baby boy & with me in the house all the time, and anytime I would take a bath or shower he was in the tub with me We finially had to clip his long hair short because it took for ever to dry out.
I think each cat is different, I've met a few that love swimming in the family pool.

neobux wrote:I fail to understand why these poor souls so scared of water.Nothing more bothers a cat than if you pour water on its body. Such a trait we
find in other animals also?

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Rabbit Cages

Hi Neobux,
This notion may well be part of the false belief that all animals of the same species have the same character, likings and so on. I know a cat who makes himself a nuisance jumping into the children's little garden swimming pool in the home where he lives. It would be interesting to know how this notion started. I do know that some people will throw buckets full of water to wild cats mewing away at night hwhen in heat. Now, I wouldn't like water either if offered to me that way, would I?? Gladys

Biscuit and Crunchie hate water, but they go out in the rain.

I have to leave the water in the shower dripping when I finish so one cat of mine can go in and let the water fall on her. She then licks it off. She will complain bitterly if I do not leave a small drip going when I get out.
I was surprised to see Gladys's response just above yours mpigeon and it took me a long time to figure out this is a very old posting. She certainly contributed nicely to this group and I, for one, miss her.


Hugh

Hugh, this is one of the threads that the recent spammer resurected with a duplication of a previous post. They tend to post in the other pets section mostly from what I've observed in the past as these topics most closely resemble the websites they are advertising.

While we are on the subject of cats and water though, I'd just like to add that my 2 kittens who are almost a year old now still love water. I was told it would be something they would grow out of, but they are still loving it! We've tried non-spill bowls and everything but they still like to splash it everywhere.

Bengals like water, and turkish vans, then there are some that tolerate it more than others but yes the majority hate it, not sure why either.

gnuretiree wrote: I was surprised to see Gladys's response just above yours mpigeon and it took me a long time to figure out this is a very old posting. She certainly contributed nicely to this group and I, for one, miss her.

Hugh

Glad you figured it out Hugh and everyone please look at the dates of posts so you know when they are made. We all miss Gladys, she's a wonderful lady....maybe one day she'll be back.

Brad, I really hope she comes back, she seems very nice.