Do Cats Like Water?

Do cats like water?

By: Zara W.

Do Cats Like Water? The answer is surprising! The perceived answer is that they don’t. However, most cats are fascinated by running water and will swat at it. For some, the idea of being soaking wet or going for a swim is not ideal. There are many different breeds of cats. Each breed has its own unique characteristics. Several breeds are known to like water for more than just drinking. They include  Maine Coon, Turkish Angora, Japanese Bobtail, American Bobtail, Manx, Norwegian Forest Cat, American Shorthair, Turkish Van, and Bengal cats. That’s not to say that only these breeds like water, every cat is different. Cat’s are natural swimmers (this can be seen by looking at their ancestral links like tigers).

Should I bathe my cat?

Unlike dogs, cats don’t require regular baths. Cats are natural groomers and tend to do all the necessary cleaning themselves.  Some cats with long fur may require extra help with grooming to avoid getting their fur matted. Grooming kits designed for long-haired cats can be found at your local pet store. If you bathe your cat make sure to spend time working out any knots in the fur to avoid more matting. No matter how they avoid it, sometimes cats will get into something and have their fur covered in it and require a little help with cleaning. Luckily pet stores stock wonderful products to help, from Rinseless soap to cleaning cloths. Bathing a cat can be stressful, however with some patience and a reward for your fur baby it can be successful

How much water should my cat drink?

Cat’s like any mammal, require water in their diets. You should offer your cat fresh water daily. A nice way to do this is with a shallow bowl, cats don’t tend to like dishes where their whiskers touch the sides, or you can also use an automated fountain. Cat’s who are particularly interested in flowing water would do well with an automated fountain. The average cat needs between 3.5–4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight per day. If your cat doesn’t seem to be drinking a lot, this doesn’t mean you should worry. Cats “consume” water not only by drinking but also by the moisture in their diet.  If your cat has a mostly wet food diet it may not need to drink as much.

It may take time to find your cat’s favourite way to drink (bowl or fountain) and to discover if your cat is a lover of baths or would prefer if you left the bulk of the grooming to them. The important thing to remember is that like us every cat is different. Listen to your cat and you will find the best way to incorporate water into their daily lives and they will thank you for it!

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission