Do cats swim?
Start small - taking a bath. I often hear from friends that even the most harmless bathing of a clawed friend causes a lot of trouble. The whole secret is in the water temperature. The water must be equal to the cat's body temperature. Too cold or too hot water causes unimaginable discomfort to the cat.
Measure the cat's temperature and pour the same water into the basin. From the very first time, you will notice how much less problems there will be with bathing. Then, pour a larger container for bathing so that the animal has room to turn around. Afterwards, you can move on to bathing in a full bath. Gradually, having accustomed the animal to such water procedures, take it with you to the pool or to the river (lake). Just don’t forget that there are currents in the river and you need to control the swimming process so that, God forbid, your pet doesn’t get washed away!
Increased smell
As written above, the cat lies in wait for its prey, frozen in a shelter. But everything will go down the drain if the victim smells the hunter. Wet wool smells much stronger because when it dries, the body temperature rises. Hunger is a real threat to life and a perfectly reasonable explanation for why cats don't like water.
Domestic cats are not always happy that their owners want to bathe them. There are, of course, exceptions when the pet rushes into the water itself, but there are only a few of them. You may be wondering whether cats can swim. Yes, they can, but they are not always happy about such a pastime.
You've probably noticed that cats get very nervous when they're near water. And in an emergency situation, even a person who cannot swim will swim.
Bathing a cat in a bath is also an unpleasant procedure for a pet. Almost everyone has encountered a situation where this became an impossible task - the cat was trying to escape from their hands with all their might. But to solve this problem, it is enough to fill the water treatment container with water, the temperature of which will correspond to the cat’s body temperature. Otherwise, hot or cold liquid will cause some discomfort to the pet.
When bathing properly for the first time, do the following:
- Measure the animal's body temperature.
- Prepare water that corresponds to the obtained values.
- After the pet feels comfortable in the container with water, add a little more so that the cat has room to turn around.
- As a result, you can gradually reach the point of bathing in a full bath.
With this approach, you will notice that there will be significantly fewer problems with washing your cat. After your pet gets accustomed to such procedures and swims in a full bath, you can safely take it with you to the pool or to the river.
But it is important to monitor how your cat splashes in the water, because there are currents in rivers that can easily wash away your furry pet.
Let's take a closer look at ways to teach your pet to swim calmly.
A few more ways
Lessons should begin at shallow depths. Pour water into the bath, literally just a little bit, so that the water only covers the cat’s paws. Throw your cat's favorite toy into the water to get her interested. Let her frolic a little in the bath, and then be sure to treat her with a treat. After finishing the water treatment, dry the cat's fur thoroughly so that it does not feel any discomfort. Every day you need to increase the depth until the cat can swim in the bath.
On a hot summer day, bring the cat to a pond and let it walk near the shore so that it wets its paws. Cats don't like to be wet, but when it feels cool in the heat, it will be nice. When the cat gets used to walking along the shore, you can take it to shallow depths, making sure to take a toy with you. You can attract the cat's attention with a long twig, one end of which must be dipped into the water not far from the shore so that your pet will accept this game. When she starts playing with the twig, carefully move her to a depth that will force the animal to swim.
Be careful that the cat does not go underwater with its head. If this happens, further training will simply be impossible! Also, make sure that the cat is not frightened by insects flying over the water. After swimming, be sure to treat the animal with something tasty. Do not skimp on rewards, even for the smallest victories. When your cat gets used to swimming and splashes happily in the water, don’t let her out of your sight for even a minute. Always be there to help the animal immediately if a difficult situation arises.
Water is stress
The cat begins to experience stress even before the bathing begins - when it is brought into the bathroom. The animal, with its excellent olfactory abilities, detects the smell of shampoo, with which it has had unpleasant sensations since the last bath; the murmur of water also does not cause delight in the cat - it understands what is about to happen to it and is frightened.
Advice! To at least partially calm the animal, wash it with special shampoos for cats without fragrance.
Owners are not very good at holding their pets under running water for the time necessary for a quality wash - some cats start hysterical even before the bath begins, others hold out for 2-5 minutes, and only a few patiently wait for the end of the unpleasant procedure.
The cat begins to feel stressed even before the bath begins.
But this does not mean that the most seasoned of animals are calm about bathing and water in general. Monitor the condition of your pet during washing: if he is pinched, his heart is pounding, calm the cat down, distract him with his favorite toy or favorite treat, so that the animal develops pleasant associations associated with bathing: after plunging into the water, something will definitely happen something interesting (game), or something tasty (meat).
"Waterfowl" cats
Do cats that live in the wild swim? As for large wild cats, they all take part in water procedures with pleasure. Most often it depends on the environment and lifestyle of the furry hunters. Tigers, leopards, cheetahs, pumas and lions - the entire cat family knows and loves to swim. And some even manage to hunt in water. There is such a breed of cat - viverrina (from the Latin felis viverrina), which in translation means Asian fish, and in common people a fishing cat. This cat lives in damp, swampy areas, lives near rivers and streams, loves to walk in shallow water and swim in deeper water. Its main occupation is fishing.
So why are domestic cats afraid of water? The answer is banally simple! Wet cat fur loses its heat-insulating qualities and the animal freezes. A wet cat freezes twice as quickly and cannot warm up for a long time. The instinct of self-preservation tells the animal that it needs to stay away from water! But despite this, cats remain excellent swimmers!
And they are not afraid of her. Scientists have studied this issue in detail and came to the conclusion that furry pets are not eager to take a bath for completely rational reasons. From their point of view, washing is a completely useless procedure. The animal can perfectly clean itself.
How do cats perceive being washed?
Cosmetics, which are often used during the washing process, greatly irritate the charm of your pet. Copious pouring of water is perceived as a blow, and the sensory system reacts accordingly - you need to escape.
- There are more than 40 breeds of the cat family in the world.
- It is generally accepted that the animal was domesticated by the Egyptians. It's a delusion. The first cats were discovered in Cyprus.
- During the Spanish Inquisition, cats were recognized as servants of the devil, and tens of thousands of pets were destroyed by order of the bishop. This led to the rapid reproduction of rats, and as a result, the spread of plague.
Cat breeds that are comfortable with water
It is somewhat strange that fish lovers cannot stand water - the element in which their food floats. Even an ordinary yard cat can sometimes take a risk and catch a careless fish that has washed up on the shore, and there are animals from the cat family that, due to their breed, are not afraid of water and are constantly engaged in fishing.
Siamese cats perceive water absolutely calmly
One of these is the Kurilian Bobtail. Cats of this breed not only boldly enter the water, not only swim, but also dive and hunt underwater.
Siamese cats also take water absolutely calmly. These pets do not fish, but they allow themselves to be washed and even enjoy the procedure. This reserved behavior is explained by a legend - in ancient times, Siamese cats were allowed into the baths where royalty washed. Animals close to the august ones watched the bathing and allowed their tails to be used as temporary storage for precious rings. Felinologists have a more prosaic explanation - Siamese cats have a love of water at the genetic level.
The Kurilian Bobtail calmly swims and dives in the water
What are the dangers of bathing cats?
- Severe hypothermia. Cats know that wet fur does not retain heat, so it will be cold. If, for example, dogs run and hunt, and because of this they dry out quickly, cats do not do this. Fluffy pets guard their prey without moving, and they also do not know how to shake themselves off like dogs. There is a risk of getting very cold and catching a cold. Why take the risk? It’s better to use your claws and the owner will leave him alone.
- Hunger. Wet fur has a strong smell and repels prey. An animal that has just taken a bath risks being left without prey: the mouse will simply hear its smell and run away.
- Risk of attack. The other side of the coin: the smell of wet wool attracts other, stronger hunters. Cats can be attacked and injured or even lose their lives due to the owner's stupid whim.
- It's unhygienic. Wet wool is an ideal environment for the rapid growth of bacteria. In addition, cats ingest dirt and dust while washing themselves, which greatly irritates their stomach.
Most people, without thinking, will answer the question: “What are cats most afraid of?” Of course, water! Can they answer why cats are afraid of water? Genetics, evolution, personal dislike, phobia? What is the reason for the seemingly irrational fear inherent in these brave creatures?
Zoologists at one time paid close attention to this issue. Probably just out of curiosity, but it was worth it: it turned out that the mustachioed hunters are not afraid of water at all, and do not want to get wet for completely rational reasons.
Risk of hypothermia
Between the top layer of fur and the cat’s skin there is a “layer” of air - the so-called air cushion. This is a protective layer that is heated by the warmth of the cat's body and prevents the pet from freezing. When wet, wool loses its insulating properties. But why are cats afraid of water and dogs are not? To understand, you need to remember the lifestyle of these two animals.
A dog is a pack animal; if it gets cold, it will cuddle up to its fellow tribesman and warm up. The dog hunts, chasing prey - it ran and dried up. The dog tracks game, covering long distances - it has walked and dried off. In addition, they also know how to shake themselves off - droplets of water literally slide off the fur covered with sebum. Now it’s obvious why cats don’t like to swim: there’s no one to snuggle up to, they wait for prey almost without moving, they rarely leave the territory (almost never, to be precise), and they don’t know how to shake themselves off. She lay there and froze while the dog frolicked and dried out. Of course, a pet is unlikely to become hypothermic if it dries out in an apartment, but at the genetic level it “remembers” that wet fur will not protect against the cold.
Can cats swim?
Of course yes. Moreover, felines are excellent swimmers by nature, capable of covering considerable distances, disdainfully stretching out their faces above the water and opening their sparkling eyes in horror (apparently, they are going through the consequences of getting wet in their minds). It is interesting that cats can swim almost from birth - even one-month-old kittens actively work with their paws, scooping up water like a dog.
But why would cats, who hate water, need this skill? It's not hard to guess: cats can swim, like most warm-blooded animals, literally just in case. What if there is a flood? Or will the pursuing enemy drive you straight to the river?
Why are cats afraid of water?
Many people are concerned about the question: why do dogs rush to the river at the first opportunity, while cats diligently avoid contact with water? There are several reasons for this phenomenon:
- Loss of protection. Domestic cats are much smaller than other felines. This makes it more difficult for them to regulate their body temperature. Only thick fur saves pets from hypothermia, but if it gets wet, the animal can die. Dogs live in packs and can help each other stay warm. But cats, due to their solitary existence, do not have this opportunity. In hot weather, a wet cat lacks natural insulation to prevent overheating. Therefore, animals do not want to risk their health unless absolutely necessary.
- The smell of wet wool. Dogs catch up with their prey, and cats sit in ambush. The pungent aroma of raw fur will easily give away a cat, so instincts tell him that it is better to beware of water so as not to remain hungry. In addition, the animal itself does not like this smell, because of this it becomes irritable.
- Deterioration of skin condition. After washing, the animal's skin becomes dry and susceptible to infection. The cat remembers on an emotional level under what circumstances it feels worse and tries to avoid bathing in the future.
- Risk of enemy attack. The same telltale smell of wet fur can provoke an attack by a large predator. The animal is afraid to disturb a pack of dogs, but a cat walking alone is an easier prey.
- Discomfort. The cat considers bathing a useless procedure. And if the owner washes his pet with hot water and scented soap, the bath day becomes a real test for the animal. It is better not to wet your pet unless absolutely necessary, and if the fur is really dirty, you should use only special shampoos that are sold at the pet store.
Cats are excellent swimmers, but you should not force them to do this activity. If the need to wash the cat does arise, you need to dry the wet animal well with a towel and leave it to dry in a warm room, protected from drafts.
Waterfowl
Strange but true: many wild cats have no fear of hypothermia, overheating or germs. They are not even afraid of the smell, which makes the cat more noticeable to prey and potential enemies. Wild cats that love to swim happily frolic in the water, dive and catch splashes, absolutely not thinking about the consequences of getting their fur wet: tigers, servals, jaguarundi, Sumatran cats.
The lifestyle of the speckled cat is remarkable. Viverrina would probably be very surprised to learn that some people doubt whether cats can swim. This savage does not miss a single chance to splash around, diving deeply and swimming several meters underwater. In addition, she hunts fish, preferring river inhabitants to land-based prey.
Domestic swimmers
Domestic cats that are not afraid of water are not that uncommon. Many pets enthusiastically play with the stream running from the tap, catch droplets of rain, and stir up the water poured into the pan with their paws. Some even cool down on hot days by putting their heads under the stream flowing from the tap. Special unique ones jump into the bathtub when the owner is taking a shower: either for company, or out of curiosity, but on their own, voluntarily!
Very roughly, we can name the breeds of smart cats that love water: Bengal, Turkish Van, Sphynx, Rex, Kuril Bobtail, Savannah. However, these are only general trends, since all cats have an individual character.
The attitude towards water is often formed during the first “meeting” with the mysterious element
And here lies another reason why cats don’t like water. A freedom-loving, proud, independent and even sometimes arrogant pet, she does not tolerate violence, rough treatment and coercion. And owners often make a difficult mistake to correct already during the first bath, by forcefully holding the cat in the bath, scolding it for bad behavior and not giving it the opportunity to “get acquainted” with the water in a calm environment. Fear-stress-fear for life.
American Bobtail
The Bobtail is a unique cat with the personality of a dog that will require not only your attention, but also training in tricks and occasional short walks. In fact, the American Bobtail has even been called the retriever of the cat world!
In addition to the bobtail's many unique characteristics, it also has another remarkable trait: its love of water. Therefore, keep in mind that he will happily drown his and your toys in any body of water available to him.
How to teach a cat to love water?
Since Nature herself took it upon herself to teach a cat to swim, the owner only needs to show the pet that water procedures are not only not dangerous, but also fun.
First “meeting”: a shallow bowl, five centimeters of water and floating objects (pieces of polystyrene foam, chocolate egg containers, etc.). We place the bowl on the floor and attract the pet’s attention by throwing toys into the water. The main thing is to do it carefully, without splashing. Sooner or later, a curious cat will not be able to resist and will try to catch the “prey”.
A representative of a breed of smart cats who love water can immediately be subjected to a more difficult test: a shallow wide basin, ten centimeters of water and mechanical floating toys. We proceed as described above.
When the cat gets bored of playing with splashes in the basin, it’s time to go to the bathroom: pour some warm water and throw mechanical toys in there
We place a wide, heavy board across the bathtub (so that it doesn’t rattle and “drive away” when the pet jumps). Some breeders put live fish in the bath, which is even more attractive. We show the cat the “battlefield” and enjoy the spectacle. Having jumped from the board into the bath for the first time, your pet will probably jump out of there with lightning speed. But since no one and nothing is holding her back or forcing her, she will return to the game, because she can always leave.
