Three reasons why most cats don’t like the water 1. Your cat just might not be used to the wet stuff. Well it turns out the reality is not so straight forward. Animal Planet describes the Turkish Van as a cat with a swimmer’s body. And with some innate understanding of how to do so. Graceful, competent swimming won’t come easily to a cat who’s gone their whole life without being submerged in water. Or why the question came up. So I think this is actually a case of Bengals’ daring temperament winning the day! Unlike the fishing cat, the Turkish Van doesn’t have an undercoat. Yes, cats happen to be good swimmers – when the need arises. First off, the Norwegian Forest Cat is adept at fishing and might swipe fish right out of your aquarium. Funny Cats and cute kittens in Water and Love Swimming. Perhaps because it’s so active, this cat is also quite independent. Stagnant bodies of water can contain bacteria that are dangerous for dogs and cats. Abyssinian. For example, tigers have no fear of the water, another example; the Fishing Cat. Some cat breeds are more prone to enjoying the water, but most prefer not to take a dip or plunge. However, webbed feet help it move faster in the water. Please tell us about them in the comments section! Drowning is something you just don’t want to risk. When human babies are submerged in water, they automatically hold their breath. Cats are … This could be a bath tub or a pool. The Cheetoh cat is a relatively new cat breed … More... How well do you know your cat? You must admit that Bengal cats are definitely one of the more fascinating and entertaining cats in the domestic cat kingdom. All cats can swim, some enjoy it while others will not. If a cat without much water experience falls into a pool, they are more likely to panic and flail and wear themselves out before they can make it to dry land. The fishing cat has a strong, stocky build. Johnson says that Maine Coonsare especially known to like water, but she says it really depends on the cat. Pets can only teleport to land, so if you cross a large enough body of water and they can't keep up by swimming, they will be unloaded and will be unable to teleport to you when you come to land. You might be surprised by the answer. In my case, Sassy was swimming very strongly and … I accidentally kicked a cat into a canal from a bridge, it was struggling to swim, I didn't check to see if it made it to the other side. A pet cat in Pennsylvania is disproving the notion that all felines hate water: Not only does Tissy, a 5-year-old Maine Coon, love the water, she goes swimming at least once a week in the family pool. Just like some cats prefer tuna and others like chicken, some cats like water and some don’t. Bobcats can swim quite well. One way around this is to swim or boat slowly so that they keep up. No time to read them all? The surprise can affect their ability to swim. Most Manx cats like water as they were originally bred on the Isle of Man in the UK. Seeing a cat swimming is very rare because most cats simply hate the water and everybody knows this. In the 1950s, two British women called Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday visited Turkey. If your cat doesn’t love the water, you might still ask the question, “Can I teach my cat to swim?” If you start early and encourage your kitty enough, you might be able to get him accustomed to water. Finally if a cat never has never had to go in water, they can simply lose their confidence. Like the Turkish Van, Maine Coons have a dense undercoat that makes it harder for water to penetrate all the way to the skin. Discover the secret world of cats. All Rights Reserved. The wild cats in the dry Middle East are the closest relatives to the domestic cat. All of us on land are descended from ancestors who lived in the sea. house cats can't swim and big cats like lions can swim but hate water any way i think a tiger can swim you should go to your the local libary and ask for a big cats … If you look at big cats in the wild, you’ll notice that many are strong swimmers. However, it’s entirely possible your cat just isn’t too keen on the idea of water. Whatever breed of cat you have, and whatever their age, it’s never too late to try using water to widen their repertoire of fun games. Some cats swim for pleasure, for example the Turkish Van is also known as the swimming cat. Read on to find out more about where the myths surrounding cats and water come from. The IHC Group. Did you know that thousands of research papers have been published on cat behavior and health? I had to make sure the water was lukewarm. Krieger has seen many cats that like water, but most of them enjoy playing with water from faucets or fountains. Other breeds noted for their fondness of water include the American Shorthair. Some cat lovers I know say that you can train your cat to have regular baths, especially if you start when they're just kittens. It all depends on the individual cat, their breed, the situation and their previous experiences. Don’t actually make it deep enough to swim in, just a centimeter or so to float some slippery toys on. Meanwhile certain types of cats, like the tiger, can swim for longer distances if necessary. Some cat breeds that are known to love water are: Turkish Vans, Bengal Cats, and Maine Coon cats. Your email address will not be published. That may be more to do with the way we tend to exclude cats from water based activities, rather than  any instinctive aversion to water in cats. That may be more to do with the way we tend to exclude cats from water based activities, rather than any instinctive aversion to water in cats. Wild cats hunted for their food. The Turkish Van is a fluffy white cat with a rusty color on the tail and ears which originated in the Lake Van region of Turkey. Cats can be exposed to water gradually, but it’s important to take safety precautions. They weren’t really exposed to water besides drinking; however, all cats do instinctively have the ability to swim. Like their big cat cousins, all domestic cats are born physically able to swim. All you need to find a kitten and raise a happy, healthy cat, June 11, 2020 By Sarah Holloway Leave a Comment. Two layers of fur protect the fishing cat’s skin from wetness and cold. This is likely to be partly because they get lots of opportunities to try playing in water. The chemicals in pools and the bacteria in other bodies of water can be harmful to your pet. ©Copyright 1999 - 2020. To make her swim stronger. And also because of some helpful physical attributes. They also have powerful hind legs ideal for swimming. Whales, seals and otters have evolved to move effortlessly through the water. Virtually all animals can swim or at least know how to handle being in water (some animals can't float so they walk along the bottom of the lake, like hippos). Their love of water has also been attributed to their heritage as ships’ cats. Cats seem to be able to escape water faster than they fall into it. my point is that puppies and kittens shouldn't be drowning when they can actually swim and it puts less worry on the player. The Turkish Van breed has since become noted for loving water. Also, the American and Japanese Bobtails, the Turkish Angora and Norwegian Forest cats. Some types of algae and chemicals are also harmful for your pet to consume. She is obsessed with “catching” the spot where the water hits the ground, and chases it round like a loon. Although most domestic cats don't like water, their wild cousins, such as tigers, happily use it to cool off or hunt their next meal. Secondly, some cats might have been bred for characteristics that make them somehow less suited to life in the water. Although most outdoor cats will avoid swimming pools, ponds, and lakes, they can be shocked if they fall into a body of water accidentally. If someone told you that you could teach your cat how to swim next summer, would you die laughing? Can cats swim? Let your cat approach the tray in their own time and try to catch the toys from the side. According to Pawesome Cats, several other feline breeds like water. All cats have the potential to enjoy playing with water. Cat hunting behaviors are also innate, but some cats still struggle to catch so much as a fly. If your cat does end up in the swimming pool, make sure to rinse him off well after he takes a dip. The common confusion between Van cats and Turkish Van cats is a perfect illustration of how cat swimming is often a product of our own expectations: In east Turkey there is a lake called Lake Van. The short, dense underlayer keeps water out, and the longer outer layer provides the cat’s markings and camouflage. Most of the big cats tend to avoid water as they are adapted to hunt on land. The internet teems with silly memes of cats swimming, surfing and even scuba diving. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool, keeping your pet cat safe around it will be top priority when you bring them home. They can fit through holes the size of a quarter. Don’t expect to hold it down for a cuddle. Have you ever seen your kitty play with a dripping faucet? these little tricksters might turn on the tap just to play in the running water. The athletic feline is one of the oldest known domesticated cats. How to Introduce a Cat to Another Aggressive Cat – Our Vet Answers. Looking back, I can’t even remember who told me that cats don’t like water. They might have only experienced water as a drenching rainstorm that left them cold and wet. But there are certainly some breeds of cat which have temperaments or physical characteristics that make them well suited to water. Well, there are a few factors at play here. Our cat care articles, tips and fun facts, delivered to your inbox. Here are a few pointers for making sure your feline pet stays out of danger. It would be a huge shock to your cat if the first time they had to swim with the life jacket on, was when they accidentally fell off the boat. You just won't see them hanging around the pool getting ready for a quick dip. Those that stalked their prey on dry land never had to learn to swim. The Japanese Bobtail is another tailless cat that’s notorious for stalking koi ponds and turning on faucets. They will often bat at dripping water, while some fully immerse themselves. Some say that the first Manx swam to the island from a wrecked Spanish Armada ship, creating an instant love of water. A cat will swim similar to the way a dog paddles as opposed to a human type of swimming. However, wild cats that had to hunt for fish may have developed the ability to swim well. Their heart rate slows, and circulation to their hands and feet decreases to stop them losing heat. Can some reassure me that cats can swim? Molly’s absolute favourite game is when someone fills a watering can and uses it to make sweeping, arcing patterns in the lawn. Is It Safe for Cats? Over the course of a decade they took home four cats, which became the founding cats of what they called the Turkish Van breed. If your cat does end up in the swimming pool, make sure to rinse him off well after he takes a dip. Can Cats Eat Kale? Bengal cats are descended from asian leopard cats, which prefer to hunt in trees than in water. Turkish Van cats have a dense, water repellent coat to keep them warm in the water. Cats can swim and if required so they will swim. We tend to take it for granted that our pet cats don’t like water. It doesn’t seem like it would be very streamlined in the water. Which means that yes, all cats can (in theory) swim! If you have a Turkish Van or fishing cat, you might want to provide it with a kiddie pool to cool off in during the summer. The Happy Cat Site is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, The Happy Cat Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. And surely you can’t learn to swim if you won’t go in the water? Required fields are marked *. naturally the cat will want to leave the pool. Let’s look at the way that cats that love water are built. Amazing! Written by the founders of this website including the author of the hugely successful Happy Puppy Handbook, it's packed with cat care information and fascinating cat facts. The fishing cat is an Asian wildcat that prefers to live near water, where it can find its favorite food. (Incidentally, Molly is also one of those terrible hunters we touched on earlier, the only thing she ever captures are our camelia flowers.). They also act like snowshoes in the mud of the wetlands, preventing the cat from sinking as it hunts. They are white and fluffy, and great swimmers! All cats are capable of swimming, but compared with dogs for example, most cats prefer not to. While swimming only really occurs in warmer climates as a way of cooling down, you may see your cat playing in water. 2. She may shake her paw once it gets wet, but that’s just because it’s a new sensation. Water safety for pets goes beyond drowning prevention. All cats have the potential to enjoy playing with water, and even swimming, if they have lots of opportunities to have fun with water while they are young. All cats have the potential to enjoy playing with water, and even swimming, if they have lots of opportunities to have fun with water while they are young. Broad shoulders and a rounded ribcage change the cat’s center of gravity, creating an ideal posture for swimming. What breed are they, and how do you encourage their love of water? Whether they actually like the water is a different story, and most find it pretty uncomfortable. To encourag… My mother has a beautiful but daft Maine Coon called Molly. 8 DIY Cat House Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures) Male vs Female Cats – What are the Pros & Cons? Being able to swim is quite different from being able to swim well though. And yet, modern cats don’t necessarily hate water. Although most outdoor cats will avoid swimming pools, ponds, and lakes, they can be shocked if they fall into a body of water accidentally. Most mammals can swim, including lions, leopards and cheetahs. Those cats would never have developed the urge to go for a dip. Point her towards the edge, but lightly hold on so she can swim, but not get away. 10 Cat Breeds That Actually Like Swimming (As Told in GIFs) But here’s the thing… none of the cats Lushington and Halliday brought back were Van cats. And picked out the best bits! Swim Test. But the two breeds have become confused, and people regularly attribute the Van cat’s love of water to Turkish Van cats instead. So what happens is that people bring home Turkish Van cats expecting them to like water. To my knowledge, cats don't swim cuz i saw 2 drown cats before in the ditch. Perhaps for some animals today the instinct for swimming has somehow been kept more “alive” since then. How do cats swim if they’ve never been taught? Cats that love water. They give them lots of enriching play experiences with water, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Following the Japanese Bobtail is the Maine Coon; Maine Coons like to play with water and If you own a Maine Coon, you may have to keep the lids to your toilets down to prevent kitty from scooping water out onto the floor. As you can see Bengal cats not only have a wonderful curiosity about water but tend to enjoy it enough to even swim in natural bodies of water. All cats are capable of swimming, but compared with dogs for example, most cats prefer not to. The Turkish Van is also fascinated by water. All around Lake Van live a traditional local breed of cats called Van cats. I haven't tried so I don't know if it works. Poodle Cat – Everything You Need To Know About This Curly Kitten, Havana Brown Cat – A Complete Guide To An Unforgettable Cat, Spotted Tabby Cats – Which Breeds To Look For And What To Expect, Cheetoh Cat – An Exciting, Enormous, Spotted Cat. Both Bengal and Savannah cats are more directly related to wild cats than many other breeds. Lastly, is the Abyssinian. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its fur is smooth, silky, and water repellant. Some breeds are known to like water more than others. They might love the way they bob about, and you may eventually see them climb in to try and snag their prey! The Abyssinian are lithe, regal cats that still closely resemble their Ethiopian wildcat … While the surprise factor plays a role here, most cats don´t like to be wet afterward. Be calm and encourage your cat. Try to discourage your pet from drinking water outdoors. The bobcat is an adaptable animal. If your cat is like most felines, it probably turns into a chaotic mess of screeching fur when it gets near water. The confident and playful Bengal cat is one of the few shorthaired breeds noted for their love of water. However, although they can swim instinctively if they fall in, cats that are unaccustomed to water may be poor swimmers. Remember to keep a close eye on your cat whenever they are playing with water, to keep them safe. This reaffirms our belief that they don’t like it. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re running from a feline though, don’t expect water to be your escape. Cats can swim quite well although not every one enjoys it. Krieger says that cat breeds that like water include Bengals, Turkish Van cats and someSavannahs are partial to water, though it’s not a guarantee. Even if you have an outdoor cat you probably kept them indoors for the first few months of their life. Some people even recommend using a spray bottle filled with water to train a cat that some things are not allowed. Some additional, semi-aquatic cat breeds include Norwegian Forest Cats, Manxes, Japanese Bobtails, Maine Coons, and Abyssinians. 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