Cat and water

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a wonderful nuetered male that is 7 years old. He is very smart and loving, but when anyone in the family gets into water (bath tub or shower) he grabs our leg and bites us, then sits there and howls the whole time you are bathing or showering. He gets bathed a few times a year and doesn't seem to mind it at all so I don't feel like he is afraid of us being in the water. I have also invited him into the bath or shower but he doesn't seem to want to do this either. Any idea of what may be going through his head?

ANSWER: Cyndi,

I have found that there is no 'normal' behavior when it comes to cats. I don't think Freud would be able to tell you why your cat does that. Sometimes you have NO idea what may be going through their minds!

Cats do not have reasoning ability. They learn by association, smells, and habit so it might have something to do with HIS bathing (cats shouldn't be bathed though unless they roll in something nasty). Or, he does NOT associate your showers and bathing with his and thinks something awful is happening to you or going to happen to you if you get into the shower.

Talk to him gently and reassure him. Let him know you are not drowning or suffering, or whatever he thinks is happening to you. Maybe get another family member to take him and give him some special kitty treats to distract him.

Tabbi


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I wanted to ask why I shouldn't bathe my cat. He has the "fat cat syndrome" and does not clean himself. He has had UTI's and the vet said since he is so big that I needed to keep him clean. Is there some reasoning as to why I shouldn't bathe him or is this just reasoning for "normal" size cats that clean themselves?

Answer
Cyndi,

Poor kitty. I'm sorry, you didn't mention that.

Some people when they get cats are under the assumption that (regular) cats need baths. Most cats hate water and it stresses them unnessarily. Cats are clean animals and baths aren't needed unless, as I said, they roll or fall in something unpleasant. Naturally there are exceptions, such as yours.

Tabbi