Because swimming is a portion of a cat’s instinct, cats can undoubtedly swim in the water. They won’t drown if they accidentally fall into the water.
All felines have this instinct naturally, and the majority of them will begin to paddle when they are submerged.
The safety instinct is not unique to cats because it is also present in dogs, horses, and other mammals.
This safety consciousness suggests that cats may swim out of necessity rather than as a calming, relaxing, and enjoyable activity.
Jaguars, lions, panthers, and tigers, and other huge, wild breeds of cats are frequently observed swimming proficiently and quickly.
Because a large cat breed like a fishing cat prefers to live near water, where they can find their favorite food, these wild animals have no fear of the water.
However, certain domestic cats, particularly young kittens, may have poorer dexterity than adult cats and have trouble swimming.
They will naturally steer clear of the water to prevent unintentional drowning.
In addition, because water makes domestic cats’ fur feel heavy and uncomfortable, many of them will avoid it.
However, domestic breeds still have the innate ability to swim and get better at it as they age.
Even when domestic cats find themselves in swimming pools or other large bodies of water, their ability to maneuver is sparked.
And you might be perplexed by the abilities they use to paddle to safety, given their demonstration of swimming prowess.
It is thought that cats’ strong webbed feet, which enable them to hunt in 9-mile-long sections of water, have made them excellent swimmers.
Therefore, big cat breeds, in particular, frequently hunt and unwind at the water’s edge.
Can Cats Drown?
Pet cats drown in bodies of water both inside the home and in the outside world, just like people do.
When a cat falls into the water and is unable to discover a way to climb out, it frequently drowns or comes dangerously close to doing so.
Cats may accidentally fall into a body of water from which they cannot recover or swim too far and tire themselves.
Cats can drown if any liquid blocks their airways and prevents them from breathing.
Aspirating fresh water causes the respiratory cells to collapse and may result in infectious pneumonia, but it does not work that way in seawater as aspirating hypertonic seawater causes water to diffuse into the lungs and alveoli.
The effect of these two different water on a cat’s respiratory organs implies that atypical fluid build-up is possible in the pleural area around the lungs.
The cat can only partially expand its lungs due to the fluid build-up, which forces it to breathe quickly and shallowly.
This illness can occasionally result in respiratory failure and death.
The exposure suggests that some types of drowning threats to our furry friends can be present in backyard swimming pools, ponds, bathtubs, and even buckets of water.
Cats are excellent swimmers, but they can still drown. Therefore, they don’t necessarily have to be found near a body of water. If their airways have been sufficiently affected by fluids; they could perish on land.
Even though large cats in the wild cool off with water after heated activities, they still do not stick their heads underneath the water to avoid drowning.
Follow the safety advice and keep an eye on your cat if it has a medical issue whenever it is near a body of water to prevent any potentially fatal near-drowning symptoms.
The feline’s ability to exit the water and reach safety could be hampered by its previous medical issues.
Aside from cats with health difficulties, very young kittens and elderly cats should also be watched around water because they could easily lose strength there.
Cats frequently experience weariness, choking, gagging, and vomiting after experiencing a near-drowning.
The following are typical near-drowning signs and symptoms in cats with water-obstructed airways:
- Exhaustion
- overly colored fur
- Spit that is bright crimson and foamy.
- Respiration that is either incredibly fast or incredibly sluggish, or heart rate.
- Choking
- Increased breathing exertion in the abdomen
- Gagging
- Blue or pale gums
- Coughing
- Sound of gurgling in the chest
- Vomiting
- A fall or being unconscious
If you observe any of these signs, please contact your veterinarian.
How Do Cats Swim?
Cats swim by keeping their heads above water and paddling their legs.
Cats adopt locomotory patterns that are extremely similar to those used when walking when they are swimming.
Both the left forelimb and the right hindlimb of the cat move forward in a symmetrical pattern, while the left hindlimb moves first, then the right forelimb.
On the cat’s right and left sides, the movement patterns are paired asymmetrically.
They can maintain their balance and drag more water with each movement thanks to the diagonal design.
Their natural movement patterns are also used when cats try to wade through water. This system enables cats to exert the least amount of energy while moving as quickly as possible.
Even more useful when paddling to safety in the water is the diagonal forward movement pattern of the cat.
Cats can move as quickly as possible while using the least amount of energy possible.
Even though it might appear simple, your cat cannot swim underwater.
It won’t know how and instead runs the risk of going under the water and drowning due to extreme stress.
How Well Can A Cat Swim?
A cat’s swimming ability can be evaluated by its depth and speed.
The size of the water (depth and length to cover), the breed of the cat (if it is a species that like being near water), age, and health of the cat are all factors that affect how far a cat can travel.
Another aspect that affects how far and quickly (swimming speed) a cat will go in the water is its body size.
One common finding is that a cat’s running speed on land is substantially faster than its swimming speed.
Large wild cat species (such as the tiger, jaguar, and lion) can swim for up to 9 miles because they rely on water to help them thermoregulate, or maintain a healthy body temperature.
In their natural habitat, these predators are also known to hunt for animals near the edges of bodies of water.
For domestic cat breeds, it is not the same, as domestication procedures over the years may have altered your cat’s capacity for greater swimming distances.
Except for a very small number of breeds that exhibit outstanding swimming ability, domestic cats have almost completely lost the necessity to swim to find their survival, which has led to a kind of disinterest in swimming.
Cats can run as fast as 30 miles per hour on average. As a result, you can anticipate cats to swim at half this rate or roughly 15 miles per hour.
When examining the swimming speed and limit of cats, additional aspects, such as body size, breed, age, and health issues, will always be taken into consideration.
A combination of the factors implies that even if healthy adult furry friends have trouble picking up the pace on land, they may still be able to swim at a faster speed.
Breeds of cats that thrive in water, such as Turkish Angora and Maine Coon, may perform better and move more quickly.
What Happens If A Cat Falls Into Water?
You could believe you are safe if you quickly remove your cat from the pool after it falls in and submerges for a while.
However, even 24 hours after the initial incident, cats might suffer from asphyxiation or a close call to drowning.
It’s safe to claim that cats can swim if they have to.
However, that does not imply that they desire to. However, several domestic species truly enjoy being in the water, including the Maine Coon, Turkish Van, Bengal, Manx, and others.
Although the majority of outdoor cats will stay away from lakes, ponds, and swimming pools; if they accidentally fall into one, they may be startled.
Their swimming prowess may be hampered by surprise.
If your cat does accidentally fall into the pool, make sure to thoroughly clean it off afterward.
Furthermore, it’s important to understand that not all pool chemicals are beneficial to cats’ health because some of them might irritate them and mess with their hormonal balance.
Your pet may suffer injury from the chemicals in swimming pools and the microorganisms in other bodies of water.
Your cat’s skin may become irritated by prolonged contact with typical pool chemicals like chlorine and common microorganisms in water bodies.
If they become thirsty and attempt to drink from the pool, they may also cause internal damage to your cat.
Therefore, if your cat falls into a body of water, please start rescue efforts right away rather than waiting until the cat exhibits any near-drowning symptoms.
Do not hesitate to call the veterinarian to prevent lung collapse from water penetration since it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Breeds of Cats That Are Excellent Swimmers
It is undeniable that the majority of huge wild cats can swim well enough to fend for themselves.
Additionally, they move across bodies of water to regulate their body temperature.
Tigers, jaguars, lions, and panthers are among the cat families that belong to this category since they frequently hunt and unwind along the water’s edge.
Due to their water tolerance relative to other domestic cat breeds, certain domestic cat breeds are equally adept swimmers.
However, just because a breed is listed as a super swimmer cat based on physical characteristics and generational origin, it doesn’t mean that all cats from that breed will swim well when submerged.
Ironically, cats’ avoidance of water has led to the misconception that cats, especially domestic breeds, detest water.
Unwanted water splashes on cats can make their fur heavy, which may cause it to take longer to dry.
A cat’s mobility may be distorted as a result of having wet fur and its propensity for predatory exploration may suffer.
This explanation of how cats react to dampness makes it clear that cats do not detest water in general, simply the effects of wetness on their fur.
Cat fur expands when submerged in water. More than 30% of the weight of healthy cat fur can be absorbed by water. In fur that has been injured, this percentage may substantially rise.
Other elements that affect how much cats fear the water include their age, body type, history of contact with water, and medical issues.
Breeds of domestic cats that enjoy swimming include but are not limited to:
- Manx cats.
- Japanese Bobtail.
- Little pranksters from Abyssinia might open the faucet only to play in the flowing water.
- If you have a Maine Coon, you might need to keep the toilet lids down to stop your cat from scooping water out onto the floor because Maine Coons enjoy playing with water.
- The fishing cats.
- Bengal cats.
- Russian Van.
- The Savannah cat is more of a wild cat than a domestic cat.
- Norwegian Forest Cats
- American Bobtail
- Turkish Angora.
Common Factors in Cat Breeds with Swimming Capacity
1. strong and muscular build. In the water, it doesn’t appear to be especially streamlined.
2. Webbed feet make it swim more quickly and also function as snowshoes in the mud of the wetlands, keeping the cat from sinking while it hunts.
3. The skin of cats is shielded by two layers of fur against cold and moisture. The short, thick underlayer keeps water out, and the extended upper layer gives the cat patterns and camouflage.
- Athletic feline with a rusty color on the tail and ears.
- High energy and activity level, independence, and low level of domestication.
- The ones without an undercoat have fur that is smooth, silky and water-repellent in nature.
- Broad shoulders and a rounded ribcage change the cat’s center of gravity, creating an ideal posture for swimming.
- Strong back legs and large paws help it move quite easily in the water.
Why Are Cats Afraid Of Water?
Cats can encounter water by splashing around in their master’s home or getting wet. Likewise, cats can unintentionally fall into the water.
Cats’ fear of water is typically caused by how the liquid affects their fur. Some cats may develop colds that lead to eventual illness.
The following other explanations for cats’ dislike of water:
- Prior unpleasant experiences may adequately explain some felines’ dislike of water. Some cats, particularly domestic breeds have a fear of water, which is thought to be a survival tactic to keep them out of peril.
- Distaste for the way water makes their fur feel: One theory is that certain cats dislike getting wet: a wet fur coat makes it difficult to move about and makes predators easier to spot. In other words, they feel more exposed when they’re wet.
- Another explanation for certain cats’ aversion to water is that most of their generations were not taught to swim and were not exposed to aquatic bodies. Therefore, their fear of anything unfamiliar is justified and real.
- The cat’s previous experience could have been so stressful that it resulted in the common cold and other unpleasant health disorders. Past traumas commonly cause anxiety about a similar event in humans as well.
Do not attempt to compel these cats to drink water unless you have a good cause to do that; their aversion to it is difficult to overcome.
If you want to help your cat overcome its phobia of water, take it slow, and perhaps enlist the services of a trainer or animal behaviorist.
Cat Swimming And Water Safety Tips
For cats that enjoy swimming, be sure that they only get into the water when supervised.
If there is a pool within your premises, you need to factor the safety of your four-legged buddy into consideration the same way you have it for kids around.
They can still get trapped beneath pool covers and not be able to find their way out.
And you will agree they deserve it. After all, kitties are parts of our household and form parts of our joy.
Even if your cat is a strictly indoor cat, a well-timed escape and slip into the pool can quickly result in an undesirable occurrence.
We also know how much cats love exploration and the manner in an adventurous sense may instigate them to take a dip into the water body.
The safety tips below can be helpful for cats in an environment with a pool as humans may not be aware when a cat takes a dive into the pool
- Invest in a pool alarm system: Set up a barrier to prevent entry or an alarm that sounds when there is movement in the pool. When a large object, such as a youngster, enters the pool, or if anything disturbs the surface and creates waves, some pool alarms will sound off once.
However, some are capable of detecting small creatures and pets like cats.
These must often be installed next to or at the side of the pool. These alarms typically sound.
- Watch out for dangerous chemicals that might injure your cat. For added safety, ensure the chlorine concentration is less than 4 milligrams per liter. Chlorine management reduces the likelihood that the smell will scare off your cat.
- Pet water safety extends beyond swimming and drowning avoidance. Encourage the cat not to drink any outdoor water.
Indiscriminate consumption of water is a health risk since animals like dogs and cats can get sick from bacteria found in stagnant water.
Your cat and other pets should not consume some types of algae or pollutants.
How To Teach Cats To Swim
One quality that parents love about their furry children is their trainability.
Similar to most things in a cat’s life, if something isn’t pleasantly presented to them at a young age, they might never fully accept it.
The majority of kittens take a bath at some point in their young lives, but bathing may not always be a soothing, joyful, and peaceful experience.
Instead, due to need, kittens are swiftly cleaned and dried to reduce any stress or terror.
Yes, it is feasible to educate your kitty friend to swim.
- However, it is best to start exposing the cat to water when it is still a kitten to avail it of the best opportunity to successfully adjust and learn.
- Additionally, it would help if you had a lot of patience while observing the cat’s body language, which includes scratching and wriggling.
Keep in mind that you are training the cats to overcome any potential water aversions and to develop the drive to skilfully and freely navigate the water.
- Gently acclimate your cat to the water without coercion. The gradual process gives the cat a sense of security.
Even better would be to begin at home with a bathtub, water feature, and faucet before exposing yourself to larger bodies of water like a pool.
Even better, if you have unrestricted access to a small pool, check if you can coax the cat to approach you while you’re submerged.
- Treats can help your cat learn to drink water, which is a good reinforcement technique. Who doesn’t enjoy a gift?
- However, never push the cat into the water, force it to float, or spray water on her body. Such an act might lead to mistrust that the cat will not forget quickly.
- Keep in mind that cats might be affected by dangerous chemicals in any water, therefore you should always check the water’s cleanliness level.
- Dip the cat’s tail and foot tips into the water gradually. If the cat accepts the water, you may expand it to the lower part of the belly.
Don’t forget to maintain a secure and comfortable grip on the cat.
- If you don’t calm it down, it will react negatively, so keep an eye on its behavior.
Sit in the water while holding it if it looks comfortable, making sure its head is still above the waterline.
- Gradually let go of the cat and loosen your grip on it, but do not let go completely. The gradual release of grip on the cat will allow the cat to swim.
Instead, gently relax your hold and give it time to become used to being alone in the water and away from you.