Aversion to water is one of the most well-known characteristics of domestic cats. However, this is not the case for all felines. Some big cats, such as tigers, typically bathe to cool off or hunt prey, and even some domesticated breeds have been known to bathe when the opportunity arises.
In general, however, house cats will go to great lengths to avoid getting wet, and behaviorists have developed a number of theories as to why. One suggests that because the species evolved in dry climates and had little exposure to rivers or lakes, water (except for drinking) is something they don’t know and therefore avoid. .
More likely, however, cats don’t like getting wet because of what the water does to their fur. Cats are demanding animals that spend a large part of their day grooming themselves. Wet fur is extremely uncomfortable for a cat and often takes a long time to dry out. Wet fur is also heavier than dry and thus makes a cat less agile and easier for predators to catch.
There is also the shock factor. Accidentally falling into a full bathtub, for example, can be a frightening experience for a cat and may make it fear water for the rest of its life.
However, many cats seem to enjoy playing with running or dripping water, such as a tap. Behaviorists believe that cats are attracted to the movements of water and the sounds it makes, all of which can stimulate a cat’s instinctual drive to grab prey. Such play is also acceptable even for an otherwise water-averse cat, since only the cat’s paws are wet.
Some domestic cat breeds, such as the Maine Coon, Bengal, and Turkish Van, are less afraid of water and enjoy the occasional swim. What makes these breeds unique is the texture of their fur, which makes them more water resistant than other breeds.
