Why do cats hate water?

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If you’ve ever tried to give kitty a bath then you’ll know cats aren’t fond of swimming – or are they?

Asked by: Susie Allen, Bournemouth

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Cats groom themselves with constant regular licking, and this stops skin oils from building up on their fur. As a result a cat’s coat is fluffier and less waterproof than a dog’s, so they get colder and their fur feels heavier if they get wet. But not all cats hate water – the Turkish Van and Bengal are two breeds that like swimming.

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Authors

luis villazon
Luis VillazonQ&A expert

Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.

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