H2...No! Why cats really hate getting wet

It’s a face that says ‘you’ll pay for this’. But have you ever wondered why cats (and some dogs) despise water so much? Well, there is a reason that almost makes this face seem…reasonable. And it has a lot to do with their relatives…

The biggest factor? Their genes!
Your cat’s relatives came from the deserts of North Africa. Think Morocco and Algeria. There’s next to no water there. So when it came to everyday life, getting caught in the rain or leaping into a pond in search of food just didn’t happen. As a result, these rain storms or baths feel incredibly foreign.

Did you know? This desert background is also why cats don’t drink much water. They evolved to have incredibly efficient kidneys that save every drop. Drinking more water is still good for their health though!

And also…security!
Cats are incredibly instinctive. So they know that being weighed down with water makes them…
1. Heavy and slow. Which makes hunting and escaping from predators incredibly hard.
2. Vulnerable to hypothermia. When that sun goes down, being wet on a cold night can be life threatening.
Naturally, they know to avoid this by staying dry and nimble…

But not all cats despise water…
That’s right. The Bengal, Abyssinian and Maine Coon are quite happy with the H20 and will jump in showers and baths. But take a look at their names. They’re from Asia and Norway (in the case of the Maine Coon - via Maine of course). Places where it does rain.

The work around with water?

Often a damp cloth, that more resembles their natural grooming style, is the best way to clean a water despising feline. But that tongue of theirs does a pretty good job!