If you’re wondering why cats hate water, you’re not alone. There are many reasons, including evolution, self-grooming, sense of smell, and long-term memory. Read on to discover the most likely culprits. And, as a bonus, find out why cats are so afraid of water. Read on to discover some surprising facts. This article will help you decide whether or not your cat is allergic to water.
Evolution
It is no secret that cats hate water. But what exactly makes them dislike water? According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, this is due to their evolutionary past, where they lived in dry climates and never had to deal with rivers and lakes. Because of this, they learned how to conserve water during times of drought and did not rely on bodies of water for survival. Here are some of the theories explaining why cats dislike water.
Self-grooming
Most cats hate water when self-grooming. However, this does not mean they will never bathe. Instead, you can introduce bathing to your cat in an early age. The smell, feel and taste of water will help you teach your feline friend that bathing is something they need to do regularly. If water is unpleasant for them, they will try to lick off the scent, but that won’t work.
Long-term memory
If you want to know why cats hate water, you must first understand that their sense of smell is different from that of humans. Cats are able to sniff out poisons, bombs, and even medical odors. While most mammals have the same basic scent receptors as humans, cats have more, allowing them to differentiate different scents. VC1 is a protein that controls scent discrimination. Humans only have two variants of this protein, whereas dogs and cats have nine and thirty. Whether your cat has a strong dislike of water is a matter of personal preference and will be affected by the type of water and smells you choose for it.
Sense of smell
There are several possible reasons for the aversion of cats to water. For starters, cats were originally wildcats with fur that originated in the Fertile Crescent, located in the Middle East. As a result, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs show a common theme with cats. Moreover, cats may be afraid of the water, as they associate it with fresh streams and safe drinking water. Still, there are domestic cats who enjoy water.
Evolutionary tendencies
Why do cats hate water? The answer is complex, but it is based on the fact that cats did not evolve in an environment with water. Water restricts movement, disrupts temperature regulation, and causes stress. Cats also tend to avoid water like the plague, and they often seek shelter from rain and thunderstorms in order to avoid the discomfort. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome cats’ hatred of water.
