Cats, adorable furry companions, always make heartbreaking screams when they need to take a bath. This has sparked the curiosity of many cat lovers: why are cats so afraid of water?Is there a real fear of water, or is there another reason?
The screams made by cats made people mistakenly think that they were really afraid of water. In fact, cats are not really afraid of water, but they just don't like it very much. This is closely related to the ancestral living environment of cats.
The ancestors of domestic cats lived mainly in deserts, Gobi or steppes where water was scarce. In such places, they have little contact with water. Therefore, cats' lack of understanding of water, and even a little fear, are affected by the environment in which they live.
Cats' hair is fluffier than dogs, but it is not waterproof. Once soaked in water, the cat's body can become heavy, increasing the risk of drowning. In contrast, the dog's hair structure is more suitable for moving around in water, which makes cats more sensitive to water.
Although most cats are not very fond of water, there are exceptions. The Turkish Van Cat and the Bengal Tiger are two breeds that can be described as "playing cards out of common sense". The ancestors of the Turkish Van cat lived in the Van Lake area of Turkey, and they loved to jump into the lake for a swim during the summer months. Big cats like Bengal tigers also enjoy playing and swimming in the water.
The bathing preferences of the Turkish Van cat and the Bengal tiger may have something to do with the geography in which they live. This has also led to reflection on the cultural differences in cats' behaviour towards water.
Based on the above factors, the psychological reasons why cats are afraid of water or do not like water are mainly affected by the living environment, hair structure and other factors. Aversion to water behavior is not shared by all cats, but it is one of the unique psychological traits of cats.