It is a notorious rumor that cats don’t know how to swim, or don’t like swimming at all. While this is partially true, the rumor that cats don’t know how to swim is dead wrong. Actually, cats do know how to swim, but most choose to avoid water whenever and wherever possible. This is because cats have an instinctive aversion to water and nothing else. So of course, cats can swim. They can swim very well in fact. The instinct probably comes into play with not wanting to get their fur wet, which can cause them to become heavy and not as mobile.
Do Cats Have Water Resistant Fur?
Some cats actually hate the water because most of the time, their fur is not water-resistant. There are only a select few breeds of cat that actually do have water-resistant fur, that don’t mind being in the water.
One cat in particular, is the Maine Coon cat. This cat has a thick coat of fur that is very much resistant to water. Their fur coat can keep them warm in freezing temperatures, even water, since the fur is both water resistant and doesn’t cause the cat to freeze from the water or get heavier from being in the water.
So, because of this, these Maine Coon cats can go into the water as much as they please. They are also one of the very few cats that don’t have an instinctual aversion to water as well. In fact, these cats love being in the water. They are known to play around in the water as a way to check if the water is fresh or not.
Do Cats Like to Swim in Water?
As mentioned before, it is a notorious rumor that cats don’t like swimming in water or don’t know how to swim in the water. Of course, they do indeed know how to swim in the water, but most breeds of cat prefer not to because of instinctual reasons, unless it is a specific breed of cat that doesn’t have an aversion to water.
One big reason for the aversion to water is that it causes their fur coats to become extremely heavy after being in the water. In the wild, this isn’t a practical thing to have when hunting. It can cause them to have a hard time catching prey, which could be a reason as to why they don’t like it when their coats get heavy.
Another good reason is that, while yes, it causes their fur coat to be very heavy – it also causes their coat to be very damp and cold. This can lead to cold temperatures throughout the body which isn’t good for any animal, especially a cat.
So yes, most cats do not like water because of the reasons mentioned above. If you have a cat that doesn’t like water, don’t force it into water.
What Breed of Domestic Cat Likes Water?
There are some domestic cats that do like water – like the one mentioned before, the Maine Coon cat; most cats don’t like water and most have that instinctual natural aversion to water.
The Abyssinian cat is a very smart cat and is a very curious cat. It would seem obvious that it would love investigating sources of water – since it is a very curious cat. Sometimes while shedding, this cat also may take baths in water as well.
Bengal cats are another breed of cat that loves water – they actually love taking baths in water as well. Some of them may even take a shower with you if they manage to follow you into the bathroom.
Manx cats are another cat that loves water. They come from the Isle of Man, and they actually instinctually love water since they are always near beaches and shores. They are always willing to go for a swim if need be!
The Siberian cats are also another fun breed to have if you want a cat that likes water. Their fur Is pretty thick and can get tangled, so actually taking a bath in water every so often is beneficial for them.
See Also: Do Domestic Cats Need Baths?
And: How Soon Can a Domestic Cat Start Breeding?
What Breed of Cat Is a Good Swimmer?
As mentioned before, just because a cat doesn’t like water doesn’t mean they can’t be good swimmers. But we will show some of the breeds of cat that are better at swimming here.
The Turkish Angora is a cat that both loves swimming but is also very good at swimming. Of course, not all of these cats will like to be in water, but most of them can and will go into water, without much of a problem. They are also very good at swimming, having a natural instinct for it.
The Turkish Van is the cousin of the Turkish Angora. So it is natural to assume that since the cat breeds are very closely related, that both like water and are good swimmers. This is very true for the Turkish Van. They like water so much so that they earned the nickname of ‘swimming cat’.
The Egyptian Mau is another interesting breed that loves water. These cats are also seen throughout Egyptian lore and mythology. But besides that, it is very well known these cats used to be brought along on duck hunts, which can be the reason as to why they love water so much.
Conclusion
Of course, it is well-known that cats don’t like water. So much so that it is rumored they don’t even know how to swim. But this has been proven false which, this article helped debunk. Cats can actually swim pretty well.
Some cats as we mentioned before have a natural affinity towards water, such as the Bengal cat or Manx. Some cats love water so much so that they are naturally better swimmers than other breeds of cats, like the Turkish Angora or Turkish Van.
We hope we helped you learn something new here, as we sure did learn something as well!
Featured image: Siberian Cat Swimming in a Pool
