Does anyone have a good explanation as to why cats do not like to get in the water?

Some breeds of cats get more excited about water, and actually seem to like it. My theory about cats and water is that in the wild, cats are generally muscular creatures, with little body fat. Muscular animals don't float easily. Cats can swim, they "dog paddle" (boy, they would hate that term, too) but they always look a little pissed off while they are doing it. Cats are also finicky about their coats, and they don't have a high subcutaneous body fat region, so they would get cold in water quickly. Their little bodies aren't really designed for sustaining them in the water. But they will go into it if they absolutely have to.

Some housecats enjoy stepping into a shower or playing with a dripping faucet. The tolerance for water varies from cat to cat and may depend on the cat's previous experience. When people regularly enter their cats in cat shows, the cats must be bathed frequently, and those cats do get accustomed to the procedure. Show cats are often raised for the profession and get used to baths as kittens.

Cats are natural swimmers, and in the wild, a cat will swim to cross a stream or lake. Some Asian cat varieties enjoy fishing and regularly dive into water to catch a tasty meal.

The Turkish Van is a breed of domestic cat that loves the water. This cat is found near Lake Van in Turkey and has been a household pet in the area for centuries. Vans will even swim into the harbor to greet fishing boats!

I personally think that it's the fear of not being able to get a footing on something. Their feet get wet and their claws can't get traction.

I once put a screen (like the kind on a door) in the sink that I was bathing my cat in and I had no problem at all. She could dig her claws into something and she was fine.

Mine cat has never had a problem with water. I don't know if that is the reason or not, but it was advise given to me so I'll pass that along.

Thats just a popular misconception, some cats like water, som dont, and some dont care.

I had a cat once who LOVED getting a bath, but my friend's cat jumps and scratches at the sight of water lol, so I guess it depends on the cat :)

Actually some cats do like water. I had one that would sit on the edge of the bath tub, waiting for the water to reach a certain level. Then she would jump in and wade around. Then, jump back out and sit on the edge again. Some also like to play in a stream of water from the faucet. Many like that.

They are individuals just like people. One of my other cats would really jump in the tub with me and swim around for a bit.

not all cats hate water.

my cat loves water and loves to get

in the tub after a shower and play in

the water that leaks from the showerhead.

she even has learned how to pull the knob

down to get the water out.

she also plays with the water in the water

dispenser.

My cat's [2 tabby's] Love to get in water. We put their water bowl in the shower and they drink out of it put their paws in it, etc. My one runt cat even lays in the sink. I find it funny. And the other cat like to get vaccumed all the excess hair off him. My cats are very weird. Lol Good luck! It must just be how their born.

Cats like to be in control ALL THE TIME. Water scares them and makes them feel out of control since water has different physical laws than air, so cats avoid it.

Actually as odd as it sounds there are some whom love water......i know crazy huh. Yup it'strue my ex kitty loved water she would play forever when she found a puddle.

Cats are very particular in everything they have, they eat, and do. Cats have natural bathing instinct, and my kitty now can not stand to be wiped with a wipey (you know those kitty wipes, instant bath thingys) She hates it, she spends like 30 minutes licking every inch of fur she has.

So maybe this is some kind of " ugghh I can clean myself just fine without water, so there." kinda attitude, as crazy as that sounds.

By nature's design, cats don't like to get wet. Unless you have a kitten, that is used to being in water, then when it grows up, it will not like the water. A cat will get into water, if it believes it has no other options.