Why Cats Hate Water

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why cats hate water so much

To turn a cat dream into an instant nightmare, you only add water. Cats are not water-compatible. Even a little bit of water can quickly make their instincts go haywire. Flicking water on your feline is like spraying holy water on vampires.

We know water can easily make a cat quake in its paws, and they will do whatever they can to get out of the watery situation. But why do cats have such an aversion for simple H2O?

There are several reasons why cats hate water so much. Let us try to discuss a few of them.

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What is it with Cats and Water?

You might not have trouble jumping into a pool or soaking for hours in a bathtub. But try that on your little feline friend, and you may end up with a furious animal that doesn’t like you anymore.

There is no better way to understand Whiskers than to look at things from their perspective. Maybe then, you will see that all of this water hatred has logic behind it – cat logic.

It is Cat Nature

Looking into history, we find most felines lived in dry climates and had little to do with water. They hardly got exposed to lakes and rivers or even rain. It is only natural for the cats to stay away from what they, or their ancestors, had little knowledge about.

Come to think of it, cats fall head over heels for fish. But how many times have you seen a cat jump into an ocean or river to satisfy its salmon cravings?

Water aversion is built into the genetics of your little Whiskers, and this is the reason they like to hate it.

Wet Means Dirty

Cats can spend hours enjoying their self-grooming sessions; they love it. Grooming helps the cat nourish physically and mentally. While making their coats shiny, they also themselves for parasites like fleas or other skin conditions.

In their eyes, getting wet means you have just ruined days’ worth of work, and they will need to start over again, and that too in a worse condition. Ironically, a good bath, which is meant to clean them, makes them dirtier from their perspective.

It Weighs Them Down

Imagine you had to carry around a dripping wet blanket until it gets dry; this is exactly how a cat with wet fur feels. When a cat is drenched, it feels heavy and has difficulty moving. For a species that has agility in its name, this can be quite uncomfortable. A wet cat also feels threatened as it becomes an easier catch for the predators.

Even if you try to dry out a cat well, there are some regions that you cannot reach and can make it uncomfortable for your little feline buddy.

It Smells Bad

Your cat’s sense of smell is very powerful and is vital for its survival. Although debatable, some experts have claimed that cat noses are up to 20 times more sensitive than ours. Your little feline can smell things even in the smallest of quantities.

Water, a tasteless, colorless, and odorless liquid, contains some chemicals hidden from humans. Your cat’s highly sensitive nose, on the other hand, can easily pick the smell of these chemicals.

If you could smell a liquid and you don’t like the smell, you will probably not allow it on yourself. Similarly, for cats, the fear of getting a chemical odor all over their body is enough to make them hate the substance.

Bad Experiences

As a kid, maybe you tried to play a gun battle with your cat. Your gardening hose as your weapon, and Whiskers was the bandit. Or maybe you thought flicking some water on your feline buddy while doing dishes was a good idea.

If your cat has had a bad experience with water before, they will most likely remember it. The sight of a full bathtub or sink can bring back vivid memories, and they will most likely try to jaw and claw their way out of it.

Sense of Loss of Control

Sometimes, you will find your cat playing with a dripping tap or even dipping their paw in some water. But try to get your cat into a bathtub, and you will be asking for trouble. This is because, for the most part, cats need to have a sense of control.

Standing on firm ground with a little water on their noses or paws is no threat. But a slippery floor coupled with drenched and heavy fur can easily mess up their instincts.

One of the reasons why cats hate water is that if it has not been exposed to water from an early age, it will not like to have its body drenched in it. It is better to start exposing kittens to water at an early age, and with time, they will overcome their instincts of hydrophobia.

Some Cats Like Water

Since early childhood, we have grown up to believe that cats have a special hatred for water.  We have seen the aversion in cartoons, movies, and even real-life; cats will cross all limits to avoid getting wet.

Some Cats Like Water
Some Cats Like Water

But are our preconceived notions completely true; do all cats hate water? You might be surprised to know that some cats like to have fun with water, especially running water.

Here are a few of the breeds that don’t mind water too much:

The Turkish Van

These cats are nicknamed “The Swimming Cats”. As the name implies, they are a rare breed that likes water with their naturally water-repellent fur. They can hop into a bathtub full of water and emerge virtually dry. They get their name from Lake Van, located in southern Turkey.

The Turkish Angora

These silky little felines are also from Turkey. At first glance, they look delicate and petite. But in reality, they are very strong. Angoras have been known to paddle around in shallow streams and ponds.

Another noticeable feature of this breed is heterochromia; they can come with different colored eyes.

The Maine Coon

These are some of the largest breeds of housecats. They have long hair that repels water. These cats can swim and are resilient to cold weather.

Maine coons have a special ability; they can learn to turn faucets on. They can also develop a not-so-wanted habit of scooping water from toilets. Many Maine Coon owners claim that they have to keep water bowls in contained spaces to control splatter.

The Bengal

This exotic-looking, intelligent and highly active breed has an affinity for water. They love to play in the water and will often paw-punch anything that floats. Bengal owners will often have tubs filled with water and topped up with floating toys to keep their kitties entertained.

The Norwegian Forest

These cats have thick and water-resistant fur, which makes them suitable for cold and rainy climates. They are aggressive hunters and will strike at rodents, birds and even fish. If you are looking to get one, make sure to keep it away from your aquarium.

The Abyssinian

This is a breed that finds it hard to stay still. They will spend most of their day chasing, swatting, jumping and climbing. This breed are very social but do not like to sit in your lap for long. They enjoy splashing in water bowls and fountains and also love running faucets.

The American Bobtail

If you are looking for a dog in a cat’s skin, you can opt for this breed. They are the easiest to train and will even walk on a leash with you. They also love to play in the water and turn faucets on when they are in the mood to play.

The Manx

This is a breed that originated from the Isle of Man. Living on islands is probably the reason that these cats are comfortable with water. They are playful and intelligent. If trained, they will be happy to join you in a game of fetch.

Do Cats Like Drinking Water

As we now know, cats have originated from arid climates. It is natural for them to get a lot of their water intake through food. But this does not mean that cats do not drink water.

Water is as important to cats as any other living creature; they cannot survive without it. Like us, all cats will need different amounts of water depending on what they eat. As an owner, you need to make sure that your feline buddy stays well hydrated.

Cats are very picky when it comes to water. You can have fresh water lying around in a bowl for the whole day, and they will not touch it. But the moment you open the faucet in your kitchen, they will jump onto the counter and start lapping at the stream.

You can also have a cat that loves to splish-splash in a water bowl and then drink from the spills on the floor – how convenient. Other cats might prefer to use their balancing skills on the seat to drink from the toilet; yes, we know, eww!

Why Choose the Hard Way?

It is difficult to understand why cats are so demanding when it comes to drinking water. In the wild, moving water is usually considered cleaner than stagnant water.

Maybe their survival instinct triggers them to opt for tap water or rain over water bowls. Then again, it could be simply because your cat loves cooler water from the tap.

Some believe that running water is like a toy for your cat. Your feline approaches the faucet not to drink but to play with the running stream. Playing catch with water can be an interesting game; if you are a cat, that is.

Getting Your Cat to Drink From the Bowl

You can try a few techniques to persuade your feline buddy to drink from the bowl you got. Let us look at a few of them.

Location should be correct

One of the common reasons cats do not drink from a bowl is because they do not like where it is placed – yes, cats are that finicky! Try moving the bowl to a location where her majesty, the feline, can easily access the bowl and enjoy the drink. Placing it right next to the food bowl might be a good idea.

Temperature of the water should be correct

Who likes to drink water sitting out of the refrigerator? Certainly not your picky lapper. Try to add a few ice cubes to the water bowl to cool it down, and your feline might start to enjoy it.

Correct Source

Cats have powerful senses. To them, water in a plastic bowl will taste different to one in a ceramic bowl. You can experiment with different materials and find out which material works best for your little buddy.

If you want to spoil your feline buddy, try getting an automatic water fountain. There are ones that turn on as your cat approaches them. Your cat can play and stay hydrated at the same time.

Most fountains come with a built-in filter, which cleans the water every cycle, keeping it fresh. Remember to clean the filter at regular intervals to avoid giving your cat some extra bacteria.

A Few Tips

In addition to direct sources, let us look at some more tips you can use to keep your cat topped up on water.

Wet Food

You are already in luck if your cat likes wet food, which is a good water source. If your cat requires more water, you can easily add it directly to the food. Some cats like the change in consistency and will happily slurp the cat food mixed with water.

But if your cat refuses to eat the watered food, do not force it to eat. The cat will develop a distaste for that food type or, in worse cases, go on a hunger strike! Yes, they do that!

If your cat has not been introduced to wet food, ask your vet before picking a random brand of wet food off the shelf. They will be able to recommend one that best meets your cat’s nutrition requirements.

You can then slowly try to add the new type to your cat’s diet. It is important to try various flavors and textures to see which one your cat develops a taste for.

Dry Food

If your cat does not want to switch to wet food, you can add some water to the kibble. It will change the kibble’s texture and fluffiness, and your cat might develop a taste for it.

The trick here is to add water slowly, increasing only a little every day. But if your cat does not eat it, make sure to provide it with dry food rather than being mean and starving it as punishment.

Add Broth

Broths can be a good source of water for cats that need it. But some broths have extra nutrients and salt, which can be harmful. Make sure to speak to your vet before introducing anything new to your feline’s diet.

More Water Bowls

Increasing the number of water bowls in different locations around your house will let your cat have access to water 24/7. If you live in a multilevel house, make sure you have at least one bowl on every floor.

Just like us, cats might find it difficult to go down or up the stairs to fetch a gulp of water.

Cleanliness is Key

As discussed, cats are very sensitive to taste and smell. They can very easily develop an aversion towards dirty containers. Cleaning and refilling water bowls replenish the water’s temperature and freshness, and your little picky feline might start to drink.

Top it Up

Cat whiskers are very sensitive, and cats do not like it when they touch bowl edges. Try to keep the water bowls filled to the brim, and cats are more likely to take a drink.

Other Alternatives

Many other products provide hydration; these include flavored or bottled water. But be sure to confirm with your vet before trying any new products on your little feline.

Signs of Dehydration

If your cat has been neglecting the water bowl for a while, it can become dehydrated. Here are a few signs to look out for on a dehydrated cat:

  • Depression and Lethargy
  • Dry gums
  • Loss of appetite
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Decrease in skin elasticity

If you notice any of the above signs in your cat, discuss them with your vet. If required, they may ask you to bring the cat to provide your cat with necessary fluids and rule out any illnesses.

In the End

Not only do cats like drinking water, but it is also crucial for their survival. It is important to keep your cat well hydrated. A hydrated cat is a healthy cat, and a healthy cat is a happy cat.

With all the methods discussed above, you should be well on your way to keeping your cat hydrated. Remember, trial and error may be required to get your cat used to anything new. But with the right amount of dedication, time and patience, you will have a healthier and happier cat. Happy Drinking!

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