One of the most persistent stereotypes about pet cats is that they are absolutely sloppy to get wet. From desperately scrambling out of the tub to recoiling from the fog from the spray bottle, it seems that cats and water are constantly at odds. And while some cats may not mind swimming, certain breeds, including Turkish vans and main coons, tend to worship water – many cat owners know that this stereotype is still true for furry babies.
But why do cats hate water so much?
There is no scientific study on the relationship between cats and water. However, there are some potential clues in the history of cat biology and evolution, experts say that due to their individual upbringing.
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Animal behaviorist and founder of Maueyes Cat Science and Education, Kristyn Vitale suspects that African wildcats (Felis Silvestris lybica), the ancestor of domestic cats, could play a major role in why modern domestic cats avoid water.
Wild cats such as tigers, fishing cats, and jaguars like to swim to escape bugs, cool them down, and ambush their prey. However, wild African cats live mostly in desert environments, where they rarely encounter large bodies of water or swims.
“They are not particularly known for hunting near or underwater,” Vitale told Live Science via email. “The majority of African wildcat diets are made up of terrestrial animals, such as rodents, and given this, it is not surprising that domestic cats are not actually looking for water.
But Jonathan Rossos, a professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis and author of “The Cat Moo: How Cats Evolved from Savanna to Your Sofa” (Viking, 2023), told Live Science in an email that he was not entirely convinced of the theory. He pointed out that just because animals come from the desert doesn’t mean they’re afraid of water, and that the range of wildcats in Africa also extends to non-dry habitats.
Jennifer Fonk, an animal cognition expert at Auckland University, brought up another potential reason why cats in the house don’t like water.
Related: Why do cats make strange faces after smelling something?
“Their fur will be flooded, making movements more troublesome and perhaps making them feel vulnerable,” Vonk told Live Science via email.
Water can also hide cats’ natural odors and bring new sensitive odors. Cats may be able to detect chemical cues in tap water that feel uncomfortable, Vonk says, and Vitale says that wet can obscure the cat’s natural pheromones, which can cause pain.
Ultimately, cats’ hatred of water may not arise from a single source. It’s probably a blend of multiple factors.
“It’s probably a combination of natural dislike and what you’ve learned,” Vitale said.
In that note, the early experiences of a kitten can play a major role in how you feel about the water for the rest of your life. There is no direct research into whether exposure to kittens in water will become more like that, but cat experts know that they expose kittens to a variety of sights, sounds, scents, textures and experiences. This process is called socialization, and he said Vitale can also be applied to water.
“If your kitten grows up around the water, you’re more likely to be more comfortable around the water as an adult,” she explained. “That being said, all cats are individuals. Even if they are exposed to water, other kittens who have never been exposed to water may enjoy it, but some kittens may still hate water.”
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