Why cats are afraid of water and dogs are not

Wet hair threatens:
Severe hypothermia.
Starvation. Wet hair smells strongly and scares off prey.
Risk of attack. The other side of the coin: Smelly wet fur attracts other, stronger hunters.
It's unhygienic. Wet hair is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

WHY is a cat afraid of water, but a dog isn't?

Cats are great swimmers, and a cat that's afraid of water can't swim.
When a cat is bathed there are two negative factors for her: the imposed contact with the owner and the totally meaningless, in her mind, washing procedure. The cat can wash itself perfectly well and the perfume additives in detergents smell disgusting from the cat's point of view. And that is why the cat bursts out, not because it is running away from the water. It may not puke but endure the treatment stoically and sympathize with its owner's whims.
And who would like to be suddenly pelted with water? Skin sensory receptors, both in cats and other warm-blooded creatures, perceive such a fact as a blow. And once knocked, you have to get out of the way.
A wet cat starts to smell stronger, because the wet coat leads to hypothermia of the skin, which immediately becomes as much as 5-7 degrees warmer. A cat, unlike a dog, does not chase its prey, but stalks it. The intensified smell can scare away the prey, and this should not be allowed. If a dog, by virtue of its hunting skills, can run and dry off, a cat can't do that. That's why it takes the poor cat a little longer to dry off. It sits, shivering, smelling, sad and miserable. So the cat is afraid not of water but of the trouble that awaits it in this case.
Cats get along perfectly well with water. There are many evidences that cats are quite adept at catching fish. Siamese cats do not mind going for a swim. It is said that one of the duties of the Siamese in the king's court was to accompany the princesses to the swimming pool for bathing, and to set her tail up so that the princesses could put rings on it that they forgot to take off before bathing.

Fuzzy question. Both do not like water, depending on the breed the fear may be different. A great many cats enjoy bathing.

Why cats are afraid of water

Cats' attitudes toward water are contradictory. On the one hand, it is the main source of quenching thirst. On the other hand – a real torture during bathing. Animals immersed in water become nervous, aggressive, and attack the owner.

Animals act in obedience to their natural instincts. For predators, the primary goals are food and safety. The bias of pets toward water is due to these two postulates.
Wet fur is a direct threat to cats' lives. The fur loses heat because of moisture and the body freezes.

Animals are afraid of getting too cold. Surprisingly, if you wrap a freshly washed cat in a thick blanket, it will still shiver from the cold. More precisely, from fear of freezing.

Wool also serves as protection against overheating. Therefore, cats can easily lie all day in the burning sun. Subconsciously afraid of losing this ability, even in the fierce heat they avoid cool bodies of water.

One more point, concerning safety, is the risk to be infected by pathogens while washing. And animals wash 10 times a day. Street feces and a wet coat are an unfortunate tandem. Wet conditions are a breeding ground for bacteria. Dirt from dry hair is less dangerous. Especially since pets periodically regurgitate hair clumps.

In addition, raw fur smells peculiarly. Such a smell during the hunt will scare away the prey. Moreover, it will become noticeable to enemies. For example, on the outskirts of cities, in villages, animals can be attacked by hungry wild animals – bear, wolf, lynx, fox. In cities it is stray dogs.

So it would be more correct to say that cats avoid getting wet, rather than being afraid of water as such. That said, all of them can swim by nature, but they do so very rarely.

Are sphinxes afraid of water?

Bald cats, on the contrary, veterinarians recommend to bathe regularly. Otherwise they will start to smell unpleasant. Bathing sphynxes accept adequately – without resistance. But still they get cold.

Among other thoroughbreds there are real swimming fans – Bengal cat, Rex, Turkish bath, Kuril Bobtail and others. The love of water is more inherent in pets. They do not fight for survival, but simply enjoy life. Outdoor animals (even those that have a home and an owner) behave more cautiously. They have a stronger instinct for self-preservation.

So why are cats really so afraid of water?

An aversion to water is one of the most well-known characteristics of domestic cats. However, this is not true of all felines. Some big cats, such as tigers, tend to take a dip to cool off or hunt prey, and even some domestic breeds have been known to like to swim when the opportunity arises.

In general, however, domestic cats are willing to go to great lengths to avoid getting wet, and behaviorists have developed a number of theories to explain why. One of them suggests that because the species evolved in an arid climate and had little contact with rivers or lakes, water (except drinking water) is an element they are not familiar with and therefore avoid. However, it is more likely that cats don't like to get wet because of what water does to their fur. Cats are finicky animals who spend most of their day grooming themselves. Wet fur is extremely uncomfortable for a cat and often takes a long time to dry. Wet fur is also heavier than dry fur and therefore makes the cat less nimble and easier to catch by predators. There is also the shock factor. For example, accidentally falling into a full bathtub can frighten a cat and cause a fear of water for the rest of its life.

Nevertheless, many cats like to play with running or dripping water, such as from a faucet. Behaviorists believe that cats are attracted to the movement of water and the sounds it makes, all of which can stimulate the cat's instinctive drive to catch prey. Such play is also acceptable even for a cat that does not otherwise like water, because only the cat's paws get wet. Some domesticated cat breeds, such as the Maine Coon, Bengal and Turkish Van, are less afraid of water and even like to bathe sometimes. What makes these breeds unique is the texture of their fur, which makes them more water resistant than other breeds.

Why cats like fish

Since ancient times, cats have adapted to survive by eating what is left after humans. It is now there is cat food, diets, treats, 5-6 thousand years ago there was a fish tail, and "on holidays" a bone with meat. Of course, cats have always hunted, but the lack of protein in the diet, has always been a pressing problem.

Unlike omnivorous dogs, cats are predators. They are instinctively interested in rodents, fish and birds because their inner voice says "that's okay to eat." Also, to live normally, a cat needs taurine, which is not synthesized in the body, but is found in fish and by-products!

This is interesting! Taurine is an amino acid that helps regulate your cat's heart rate, digestive tract, reproductive function and vision.

Fish is an excellent source of protein for cats. However, fish can sometimes contain large amounts of mercury, toxins, and become a source of helminth infestation. In addition, a diet consisting only of fish can lead to hyperthyroidism and diseases of the urogenital system, including urolithiasis. In rare cases, cats may be allergic to fish, so its introduction to the diet should be gradual and careful.

What are fishing cats

Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) literally translated "fisher cat" is a very real, though very rare representative of the feline family.

The animal lives in East Asia. Fishing cats live in flat and marshy areas near ponds, rivers and streams. These animals are completely silent when hunting, excellent swimmers and divers. Fishing cats lead a solitary, nocturnal and very secretive lifestyle, so seeing them is great luck.

This is interesting! Fishing cats are a national treasure of West Bengal.

Fishing cats have coarse, non-soaking fur, ashy striped coloration and relatively modest size. Unfortunately, due to artificial drainage of water bodies and "progress", we risk seeing these beautiful animals only on the pages of the "book of the extinct".

There are exceptions: some cats like water and dogs hate swimming.

Most dogs love to swim, they enjoy catching a ball in bodies of water, jumping into pools, and sometimes even diving. What can't be said for cats. However, zoologists point out that this is not true for all animals. "Not all cats hate water and not all dogs love it, but in general, domestic cats don't like to swim at all. There are several reasons for this," says Kelly Bollen, director of behavioral programs at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

One of the reasons contributing to this is the fact that their hair takes a very long time to dry, so it is unpleasant and "unprofitable" for cats to be all over wet. In addition, cats are very clean creatures. According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), since these animals spend a lot of time licking their coats, it is simply unacceptable for them to "mess up their hair". You have probably noticed that once you wash your cat, he will still lick himself for a couple of hours, until he is sure that every hair is just right.

Cats native to arid deserts

Another reason for this behavior lies in the evolutionary history of domestic cats. The cat is thought to have evolved in the arid desert climate. Throughout their early history, these animals did not encounter lakes, rivers or rain, so water was something new and unfamiliar to them.

The situation is different with dogs. First, some breeds were specially bred to "work" in the water (Portuguese Wasserhund port, New Scottish Retriever). Second, swimming is a great way for dogs to cool down and move around. Dogs are more agile than cats, so a dip in the water is a good workout for them. Unlike cats, they also enjoy exploring new smells more. While a cat might be frightened away by a pungent scent, a dog might only be spurred on to come closer.

"You've probably noticed that once you wash your cat, he'll still lick himself for a couple of hours." Did the author even study Russian at school? "Driving up to this station and looking out the window at nature, my hat flew off."

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Reasons

Through observation, experts have learned that cats are not afraid of water at all. Of course, among the moustached-striped herd there are probably individuals with phobias, but we are talking about the majority. However, the vast majority of cats are very reluctant to come into contact with water and there are a number of very good reasons for this.

So, cats and cats are afraid of water because it can intensify body odor. In the wild, wild cats bathe very rarely, they do it in order to improve the health of their coat and skin. After getting soaked, the skin glands begin to actively produce sebum, which should cover the entire coat. A few days after bathing, a fairly strong, specific smell may come from the cat, which will negatively affect two aspects:

• Hunting – A wild cat gets its food only by hunting. A strong odor will give the predator away and leave him hungry. Usually in feral cats, the bathing period falls in the extreme heat when the animals' appetite is naturally depressed.

• Danger from larger predators – everything in nature is cyclical, the cat is a hunter, but it too can fall prey to a larger animal. The strong smell from the fur gives away not only the cat, but also its habitat. After bathing, wild cats do not return to their usual habitat, but spend 24 hours (sometimes more) near a body of water.

Pay attention! After bathing cats thoroughly lick up even already dry hair. This behavior is related to the elimination of increased smell from the skin and hair.

The only means of warming the cat is the coat. In the normal state, a cat's coat is dry and lubricated with skin grease that repels water. Regardless of the presence of undercoat, there is a space between the hair and the cat's skin called a chamber. The chamber contains air whose temperature is stable and equal to the cat's body temperature. Once the coat gets wet, the air chamber collapses, which disrupts thermoregulation.

Can cats swim?

All animals by nature know how to swimCats develop this skill by the first month of life. By the way, some zoologists believe that the sharply negative attitude of domestic cats to water is due to the tradition of drowning unwanted kittens. It has long been proven that mothers (even four-legged ones) intuitively sense when their babies are hurt, much less killed. Since drowning kittens has been practiced for centuries, it is likely that domesticated cats have acquired, to some extent, an aquaphobic instinct.

It is known that Some cats are not afraid of water, and such unicums are especially common among kittens. The explanation is very simple: that is how the instinct of self-preservation works. The older the animal, the more cautious it becomes. Adult cats do not want to go out of their so-called comfort zone, so they are reluctant to get into the water. Kittens are just learning the world, they do not yet have a clear framework of safety and comfort. Some babies are happy to bathe in the heat, and several times a day.

It's interesting! Cats are nocturnal animals, and they return from hunting before dawn. One of the reasons for this schedule is the animal's reluctance to return home in the dew.

People know quite a few cases when cats not only climbed into the water, but also overcame solid distances. Particularly striking is the dedication of purrs to save their offspring from the flood. There was a well-known case where a cat swam across the lake on its way home. The owners lost their cat on vacation and had no hope of meeting it, but their four-legged friend came home 3 months later.

All cats are excellent swimmers by nature, though they swim "doggy-style." When swimming, the cat keeps its nose and mouth above water, its ears pressed down and its eyes wide open. At one-month of age, kittens actively paddle with all four paws and confidently hold on the water.

Household "swimmers"

Domestic cats that are not afraid of water are not so rare. Many pets enthusiastically play with the running stream from the faucet, catch raindrops, scamper with their paws to the water poured into the pot. Some even cool off on hot days, sticking his head under the jet pouring from the faucet. Some special uniquenesses jump into the bathtub when the owner takes a shower: either for company, or out of curiosity, but by themselves, voluntarily!

Very conventionally we can name the breeds of intelligent cats that love water: Bengal, Turkish bath, sphynxes, rexes, Kuril bobtail, savannah. However, these are only general trends, as all cats have an individual character. And, more importantly, the attitude to water is often formed during the first "meeting" with the mysterious element. And herein lies another reason why cats do not like water.

Freedom-loving, proud, independent and even somewhere arrogant pet does not tolerate violence, rough treatment and coercion. And owners often make the hard-to-correct mistake already during the first bath, forcing the cat into the tub, scolding it for misbehaving and not allowing it to "get to know" the water in a calm environment. Scare-stress fear for life.

How do you teach a cat to love water?

Since nature itself has taken to teach the cat to swim, the owner only needs to show the pet that water procedures are not only not dangerous, but also fun.

The first "meeting": a shallow bowl, five centimeters of water and floating objects (pieces of Styrofoam, containers from chocolate eggs, etc.). We put the bowl on the floor and attract the pet's attention by throwing toys into the water. The main thing – carefully, without splashing. Sooner or later the curious cat will not hold back and try to catch the "prey".

The representative of a breed of intelligent cats who love water may immediately be subjected to a more difficult test: a shallow wide basin, ten centimeters of water and mechanical floating toys. Proceed as described above.

When the cat gets bored with games with splashing in the basin, it's time to go to the bathroom: pour some warm water and throw mechanical toys in it. Across the tub we put a wide heavy board (so that it doesn't rattle and doesn't "go away" when the pet jumps). Some breeders launch live fish into the tub, which is even more attractive. We show the cat the "battlefield" and enjoy the spectacle. The first time she jumps off the board and into the tub, she's sure to jump out at lightning speed. But since no one and nothing is holding her back or forcing her, she will return to the game, because you can always leave.

The next step is to show the cat that the water sometimes "touches" her by itself, and it's not scary. Try one of the methods how to accustom the cat to bathing without forcing:

• We open the faucet in the bathroom (the comfortable water temperature is about the same as the cat's body temperature);

• We go to our pet, bring her in a good mood;

• we take the cat in our arms so that it has its back turned to the owner's chest and its paws are in front (it is convenient to put one hand under the chest and the other under the croup, as ladies do with small dogs);

• go to the bathroom and with a nonchalant look, as if nothing unusual is happening, put one paw under the stream of water. Do not pull the paw, hold it under water for only a few seconds. Then "shake" the paw with a terry towel and let the cat go. Runs away – let it. We follow her and speak in an affectionate voice, as if nothing happened. Actions are tender, but assured and fast, so that "she did not have time to remember".

Why are cats afraid of water?

Cats have quite a strong instinct of self-preservation, so although they can swim, they never do it in order not to get their fur wet.

Our pets are each interesting in their own way, if dogs are people's best friends, then cats are creatures created for love. They are important participants in our lives and attract even the most avid non-animal lovers. A cat is a cute creature that loves itself and its owners. Cats are peculiar pets that are very mysterious and interesting at the same time. Although cats are excellent swimmers, they will never get into a body of water by themselves for pleasure. A cat is always wary of moisture and it does this not only because it does not like to swim, but because it has an absolutely objective reason. The fact that these creatures have their own structure of hair and because of this they never get cold and do not suffer from heat. Cat undercoat has an air cushion, which retains heat in winter and allows the heat to penetrate to the body of the animal in summer, so on an instinctive level, the cat is wary of any water. When its fur comes into contact with water, it gets wet and consequently the air cushion is lost, so cats freeze quickly and quite often can shiver from the cold.

In any rule there are exceptions, so there are still animals of this genus that like to bathe and play with water, but still a large part of felines do not like to interact with any liquid. There are quite a few breeds of felines in the wildlife world that get their food in water, so they have to be in bodies of water often, but this is not the case for pets. They are used to living in coziness and comfort, so if the cat does not like to bathe it is better not to force it, because you risk being pretty scratched.

1. Cats have quite a strong instinct of self-preservation, so although they know how to swim, they never do it in order not to get their fur wet.
2. These animals have a special structure of hair. For them, fur is more for thermal insulation than for beauty. Due to the fact that air is trapped between the hairs, the fur not only protects the animal's body from overcooling and overheating, but also allows it to keep warm. But as soon as the fur gets wet, it loses its properties at the same minute and the cat freezes in a moment. In addition, they themselves do a great job with their own cleaning, so they kind of need no water procedures.

Cats are afraid of water, but dogs are not. Why not?

Who told you that? My cat loves water, loves it, and even climbs into the tub to bathe herself. The dog, on the contrary, does not like to bathe, much less swim in the river, not for anything agrees.

Well dogs are not cats they have different bodies and different physiology! That's why they quarrel (answering the previous question)

It's not always like that. My dog on pain of death do not get into the water, and the cat just give a splash – it is the first pleasure for him. It's all individual, just like with people.

Not all cats are afraid of water. Only those that are not tigers in nature. And tigers love swimming, swimming, and hunting in water.

My wolfhound loves water, even swims very well, to my surprise. Breed Caucasian-Alabai. And my Siberian cat loved to lie in the bath with all his paws out to the sides, tail propping up the bottom. I think this is purely individual. I like water myself – it's my element. I used to be a swimmer.