Cats have a reputation for being afraid of water, but why is this? There are a few reasons that could explain a cat's aversion to H2O. For one, cats are generally very clean animals, and they don't like getting dirty. Water can also be a bit of a shock to a cat's system since they're not used to being wet. And finally, some cats may simply be afraid of the unknown - after all, water is a pretty strange substance! Whatever the reason, it doesn't have to be this way. With a little bit of patience and some helpful tips, you can teach your cat how to swim!
Here are 4 ways to get your cat swimming like a pro:
1) Introduce Your Cat to the Pool - First things first, if you're going to get into the water with your cat, it's important that you both feel comfortable in the pool. The best way to do this is by having your cat get used to its surroundings before you get in the water. Put a towel down by the pool and let your cat climb on it, pet it, rub its head and ears with the towel - whatever feels comfortable for both of you.
2) Get Your Cat Wet - The next step is to get your cat wet. This can be done by gently pouring water over its head or giving your cat a bath. Once this process has started, don't stop - continue until your cat gets used to the feeling of being wet.
3) Teach Your Cat How to Swim - Once you've got your cat comfortable around water, it's time to start teaching it some basics of swimming. To do this, take a big bowl or plate and put it in the middle of the pool. Move the plate around so that it floats on top of the water. Now that your cat is used to being near water, it should be able to jump into the pool and grab onto its floating device. Once it does this, give it plenty of praise and treats.
4) Get Your Cat Used to a Life Jacket - Now that your cat has learned how to swim around in circles, the next step is to get comfortable wearing life jackets. This can easily be done by putting one on your cat and then gently pushing yourself through the water while holding onto your cat's jacket at all times.
5) Practice Makes Perfect - By this point you should have taught your cat everything it needs to know about swimming, but don't stop there. Keep practicing and your cat will become a pro at dog paddling in no time!