Why do cats hate water?

Asked by: Susie Allen, Bournemouth

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.

Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.