Cats are always surprising you. There’s probably a lot that cats can do that we are unaware of… like driving, or playing golf. But let’s start with something simple: Can cats swim? The short answer to your question is yes. If pressed, cats will likely swim to safety if they are allowed to.
If we are being honest, the sight and sound of a cat wet is both saddening and funny. Partly, it’s because you don’t associate cats with water, swimming, or jet skiing, for that matter.
It begs the obvious question: Why does cats avoid water like a plague? Why are cats the most unlikely land mammal ever to be found in water? Rest assured, it’s not because they can’t swim. So, let’s take a closer look at why cats seem to avoid paddling like a golden retriever Hot days.
Can Cats Swim? The Biological Explanation
Simple math shows that domestic cats aren’t the most efficient swimmers. Their paws are relatively small, their coats absorb water, and while their bodies are flexible and explosive, they aren’t really built for power.
Some clues can be found in the cat history. Most domestic cats can be traced back to Arabia. Egypt, lands that are mostly deserted. There are exceptions, of course, as we’ll discover below with breeds like the Maine Coone.
But in general, cats don’t really associate heavily with water-based history. They can even keep themselves clean without using hot tubs or bathing pool.
But big cats can swim quite well
Non-domesticated big Cats are comfortable in the water, even though they may not want to be there. In the wild, cats need to be “flexible” on what they’ll put up with if they want to eat.
The tigers are the most skilled swimmers of all the big cats. They (and other large cats) have large feet that can propel them through water faster.
But Cats Hate Water (Don’t They?)
Well… maybe. We do know that cats may be sensitive to water. Many great cat observers have observed that cats dislike inconvenience. Here are a few reasons cats seem to avoid the deep end.
They could panic
If a cat isn’t used to being in the water, and it suddenly falls into a pool, for example, it may be overwhelmed by panic. This isn’t a reaction exclusive to cats. Humans sometimes are overcome with shock, too, especially if they feel they’re in distress.
This is why it’s never a good idea to toss a cat into the water. It is not only cruel but can also cause serious injury or even death.
Cold Isn’t Nice For a Cat
Generally, cats are warmer than humans, and they don’t like being excessively cold. They can curl up and retain body heat under normal circumstances. But drenched in icy cold water, it’s not that easy.
Most cat coats won’t repel water, so it gets right to the skin, which makes a cat deeply unhappy.
Cats may be triggered by past experiences
Cats may also panic if they have had a bad experience with water in the past. You could take them involuntarily to be bathed. kittens, the idea of being submerged in water may not be your cat’s notion of a good time.
Kitty may also associate being wet with being trapped in a drain or caught in a rainstorm – anything, really, that reminds her of a bad time. Cats’ memories These cases are a strong example of why they are so powerful.
They may not like the smell or taste
Cats are sensitive to odors and there are many things that can cause them to become allergic. smells that cats dislike. Although we might think that tap water is odorless, cats can smell chemicals and additives. foodThey also love water. That’s why they sometimes prefer not to get too involved with baths.
The same applies to pools and outdoor puddles of water. Scientists have found that cats are able to smell 15 times more than humans. If they suddenly don’t smell like themselves to themselves, it would just not be acceptable.
Cats are uncomfortable with wetness
Most cat breeds do not possess coats that do well when they’re wet. Instead, the cat’s coat becomes drab and heavy, making it difficult to move around. A cat will not be happy if it is confined from moving in any way.
Have you ever tried to swim in a heavy, muddy coat? It’s not pleasant. It’s not pleasant for a cat to be dragged to the bottom in a body of water while trying to stay above the water.
A cat’s natural instinct is to react to its environment very precisely. They are either stalking prey or they are afraid of being stalked. They feel stuck and unable to move in the best way possible, and they are often very unhappy.
Do I have to be concerned about my cat?
It’s true that cats are curious to a fault. But it’s not necessarily a reason for panic if you own a pool and a cat. Cats generally do a good job of staying away from things they don’t like.
Remember, also, that just because it doesn’t like to swim, doesn’t mean it can’t in a pinch. With that said, there are a few things you can do to put your own mind slightly more at ease when it comes to your cat’s safety. Here are five tips for cat parents when it comes cats and water.
- Keep it up eye on your pool’s chemical balance. Sometimes cats will drink out of the pool in spite of their better judgment. This should be discouraged. Chemicals can be dangerous. Also, try to keep the chemical balance “normal”.
- Keep an eye out kittens They should be around water. It will be safer to allow them to play in the water once they get used to it. However, curiosity and young cats are a powerful combination.
- Pool cover. Better safe than sorry, and pool cover safety measures also apply to small children, so it’s a good investment.
- If they get accidentally wet, dry their ears with a towel. cat towel. Cats are susceptible to infections in their ears.
- For any injuries or near-drowning, take your cat to the vet immediately. potential after-effectsPotential issues.
4 Cat Breeds Actually Love Water
There are freaks in every crowd, and that’s not a bad thing. Some cats hate water, but there are some breeds who seem to love the idea of swimming. Or, at the very least, don’t mind it so much.
1. The Abyssinian
Abyssinians find it easy to explore bodies of water for some reason. While some associate them with the dry land origins stated above, others suggest that an Indian Ocean background may contribute to the Abys’ love of water.
2. The Bengal
Bengal tigers They are legendary. But what about the domestic version of this Bengali hybrid? As a wild hybrid, people attribute the Bengal’s genetics as a probable reason for its relative comfort around water.
3. The Maine Coon
As we have already mentioned, Maine Coon’s love of water may actually be due to its background. They are the “dogs of the cat world”, according to some. They are large and have thick, thick coats that protect them from cold and wetness.
Their relationship with water is fascinating. One example is that they love to scoop water from the tap with their paws. What kind of cat would do that? They also love to go in the shower with their owners. You can find a puddle in the outdoors and your dog will love it. Maine CoonYou can join the action.
4. The Turkish Van
The legend of this cat is such that it is casually called “the swimming cat”. The legend goes that the cat learned to swim when it was able to fish out from boats. In this instance, necessity is the mother of aquatic reinvention.
Swimming and Cats: Last Word
Chances are you won’t see your cat swimming voluntarily. But it’s good to know that it will more than likely be okay if it does get itself into a situation. It won’t be happy, though.
If you’re still nervous about having your cat around a swimming pool, use a few of the tips listed above. Remember that animals have a remarkable self-preservation instinct and cats can take care themselves.
