These Cat Breeds Actually Like Swimming in Water

Most cats avoid water. The first time that you try to give one of them a bath in the tub involves a lot of screeching and flailing claws. If you, too, live with cats and struggle to give yours an occasional bath, then you may be surprised to learn that there are some breeds that enjoy water. "Cats groom themselves with constant regular licking, which stops oils from building up on their fur," explains Lambert Wang, co-founder of Cat Person and the foster parent of over a dozen cats throughout years of volunteer work with the Animal Care Centers of New York City. "As a result, their coats are not very waterproof so they can get very cold and feel heavy when wet, which is why many of them don't like it!"

This harkens to their origins: In nature you'll see many of the wild cats, like lions and tigers, drinking and swimming in the water. Primal cats experience water on a daily basis—it cools them off and nourishes them in the heat of the savannah. But most of our domesticated cats are not exposed to water in the same natural way. There are, however, some breeds that are closer to their primal cousins. "Cats that do like water may be those with more water-resistant fur, or those that had early exposure to water as kittens," says Wang. Those cats like the Savannah and the Bengal are known to enjoy a leisurely swim or, at least, seek a splash of fresh water from the faucet at home. Here, more breeds that will splish-splash to their hearts' content.