Cats that love water. While swimming only really occurs in warmer climates as a way of cooling down, you may see your cat playing in water. They might love the way they bob about, and you may eventually see them climb in to try and snag their prey! Even if you have an outdoor cat you probably kept them indoors for the first few months of their life. However, wild cats that had to hunt for fish may have developed the ability to swim well. If someone told you that you could teach your cat how to swim next summer, would you die laughing? Cats can be exposed to water gradually, but it’s important to take safety precautions. 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. Without experience of water, cats become wary of it. She is obsessed with “catching” the spot where the water hits the ground, and chases it round like a loon. The bobcat is an adaptable animal. A cat will swim similar to the way a dog paddles as opposed to a human type of swimming. The short, dense underlayer keeps water out, and the longer outer layer provides the cat’s markings and camouflage. And with some innate understanding of how to do so. 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. However, webbed feet help it move faster in the water. First off, the Norwegian Forest Cat is adept at fishing and might swipe fish right out of your aquarium. However, whether he really enjoys it is a secret that he might keep forever just to maintain the illusion that cats hate water alive. 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. Graceful, competent swimming won’t come easily to a cat who’s gone their whole life without being submerged in water. 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. Such as a less muscular physique, or a particular type of coat. Rats’ superpowers are near-mythical: They can swim for three days. Swimming is a survival instinct that will kick in when a cat is in the water. This affinity is often attributed to their wild cat ancestry, but this is yet another myth! You might be surprised by the answer. The confident and playful Bengal cat is one of the few shorthaired breeds noted for their love of water. But there are certainly some breeds of cat which have temperaments or physical characteristics that make them well suited to water. According to the San Diego Zoo, the fishing cat is one of the best swimmers in the animal kingdom. Lastly, is the Abyssinian. Well, there are a few factors at play here. No time to read them all? 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. All cats are capable of swimming, but compared with dogs for example, most cats prefer not to. And picked out the best bits! 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. Some cat breeds are more prone to enjoying the water, but most prefer not to take a dip or plunge. Finally if a cat never has never had to go in water, they can simply lose their confidence. Cats can swim and if required so they will swim. The chemicals in pools and the bacteria in other bodies of water can be harmful to your pet. We tend to take it for granted that our pet cats don’t like water. Just because cats have some innate swimming ability doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take precautions. And yet, modern cats don’t necessarily hate water. If you look at big cats in the wild, you’ll notice that many are strong swimmers. 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. They are white and fluffy, and great swimmers! I had a cat who as a kitten, decided that playing with a ping pong ball in the tub was fun. these little tricksters might turn on the tap just to play in the running water. Cats are … Their love of water has also been attributed to their heritage as ships’ cats. Don’t expect to hold it down for a cuddle. In the 1950s, two British women called Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday visited Turkey. You just won't see them hanging around the pool getting ready for a quick dip. It doesn’t seem like it would be very streamlined in the water. Perhaps because it’s so active, this cat is also quite independent. In my case, Sassy was swimming very strongly and … 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. Their heart rate slows, and circulation to their hands and feet decreases to stop them losing heat. Or why the question came up. All Rights Reserved. Yes, cats happen to be good swimmers – when the need arises. Don’t worry - we’ve done it for you! Swim Test. To help prevent the potential stress, encourage your cat to swim in a shallow calm area. Although most outdoor cats will avoid swimming pools, ponds, and lakes, they can be shocked if they fall into a body of water accidentally. Point her towards the edge, but lightly hold on so she can swim, but not get away. Two layers of fur protect the fishing cat’s skin from wetness and cold. This could be a bath tub or a pool. Turkish Van cats have a dense, water repellent coat to keep them warm in the water. Amazing! Cats seem to be able to escape water faster than they fall into it. If they could speak your language, they’d probably tell you that water makes them miserable. Felines simply stopped being exposed to water. Which means that yes, all cats can (in theory) swim! This is likely to be partly because they get lots of opportunities to try playing in water. Molly’s absolute favourite game is when someone fills a watering can and uses it to make sweeping, arcing patterns in the lawn. 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. How to Introduce a Cat to Another Aggressive Cat – Our Vet Answers. Just like some cats prefer tuna and others like chicken, some cats like water and some don’t. Both Bengal and Savannah cats are more directly related to wild cats than many other breeds. 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 … Bengal cats for example have been known to join their owners in the bathtub. If your cat is like most felines, it probably turns into a chaotic mess of screeching fur when it gets near water. Firstly, being born knowing how to do something doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be good at it. They will often bat at dripping water, while some fully immerse themselves. Discover the secret world of cats. Those that stalked their prey on dry land never had to learn to swim. 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. 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. Watch these adorable cats swim! 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. The surprise can affect their ability to swim. For example, tigers have no fear of the water, another example; the Fishing Cat. If your cat does end up in the swimming pool, make sure to rinse him off well after he takes a dip. However, it’s entirely possible your cat just isn’t too keen on the idea of water. Can cats swim? I had to make sure the water was lukewarm. Perhaps for some animals today the instinct for swimming has somehow been kept more “alive” since then. Also, the American and Japanese Bobtails, the Turkish Angora and Norwegian Forest cats. To review: yes – cats can swim. Can Cats Eat Kale? Some additional, semi-aquatic cat breeds include Norwegian Forest Cats, Manxes, Japanese Bobtails, Maine Coons, and Abyssinians. Like their big cat cousins, all domestic cats are born physically able to swim. Some breeds are known to like water more than others. 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 fishing cat is an Asian wildcat that prefers to live near water, where it can find its favorite food. 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. To my knowledge, cats don't swim cuz i saw 2 drown cats before in the ditch. Most mammals can swim, including lions, leopards and cheetahs. Being able to swim is quite different from being able to swim well though. Some people even recommend using a spray bottle filled with water to train a cat that some things are not allowed. Our cat care articles, tips and fun facts, delivered to your inbox. The wild cats in the dry Middle East are the closest relatives to the domestic cat. Try fashioning a cat swimming pool from a shallow tray with a small amount of water in the bottom. Unlike the fishing cat, the Turkish Van doesn’t have an undercoat. They can fit through holes the size of a quarter. It all depends on the individual cat, their breed, the situation and their previous experiences. (Incidentally, Molly is also one of those terrible hunters we touched on earlier, the only thing she ever captures are our camelia flowers.). Call him salmon and ask him to bring you a fresh catch. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. Swimming Cats. One way around this is to swim or boat slowly so that they keep up. Try to discourage your pet from drinking water outdoors. Read on to find out more about where the myths surrounding cats and water come from. Some say that the first Manx swam to the island from a wrecked Spanish Armada ship, creating an instant love of water. The Cheetoh cat is a relatively new cat breed … More... How well do you know your cat? Although most cats don’t like water, pool safety is still an important part of keeping your kitty safe. Many terrestrial mammals are capable swimmers too; dogs of course, but … Required fields are marked *. Whales, seals and otters have evolved to move effortlessly through the water. But it’s hard to tell how much this has actually influenced their enthusiasm for water. Visitors describe them swimming out to meet fishing boats in the hope of some lunch. Also, because we think our cats don’t like water, we keep them out of the way of the bath and the pool, etc. Behaviorally cats are generally less tolerant of … Have you ever seen your kitty play with a dripping faucet? Abyssinian. Broad shoulders and a rounded ribcage change the cat’s center of gravity, creating an ideal posture for swimming. When human babies are submerged in water, they automatically hold their breath. They weren’t really exposed to water besides drinking; however, all cats do instinctively have the ability to swim. They give them lots of enriching play experiences with water, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your email address will not be published. Johnson says that Maine Coonsare especially known to like water, but she says it really depends on the cat. 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