I like fish too, but you won’t catch me on a trawler, let alone in the water. For one thing, like most cats, I simply cannot swim well enough to catch any meal that swims away from me. While otters, seals and other aquatic mammals and reptiles swim after the fish they hunt, there are comparatively few of them. Some cats fish actively, but they do so from the bank, or leap on fish in shallow water. Whether cats in a particular region catch fish depends on their having learned the skill. Where fishing is good, cats of all sizes from wildcats to jaguars may snatch fish, and the south-east Asian fishing cat apparently does so frequently.

As for being unwilling to swim, cats vary. Some actually like it. I have seen the hilarious sight of a moggie lowering itself into a swimming pool tail-first to avoid getting a nose full of water, swim around to cool off, then head for the steps. The breed commonly called the Turkish Van is well known for enjoying the occasional summer dip.

Jon Richfield, Somerset West, South Africa

Cats are quite capable of swimming if they have to but may dislike it because of its effects on their fur. A cat’s fur is effective insulation both from the cold and the heat, thanks to the way it lies on the cat. If a cat gets soaked, the fur becomes waterlogged and the cat can lose body heat to the extent that it becomes hypothermic. However, while a cat will seek shelter in the rain, a little damp does no harm because the top layer of fur is water repellent and rain just bounces off. For this reason, it’s not a good idea to dry a moderately wet cat with a towel because water will get through the water-repellent layer to the more absorbent hairs below. If a cat is really wet, it’s best to dry it with a hairdryer on a very low setting. However, most cats are frightened of this, so letting it sit in front of a fire is probably better.

Cats can also fish. About 20 years ago my family had a cat that regularly brought back bullhead fish. Cats sit on the river bank and when a fish comes into range the cat hoicks it out with extended claws and throws it over its head and clear of the water. The fish is then helpless and the cat has its meal or trophy.

Charles Stuart, Bath, Somerset, UK

Snow leopards, lynx and other species from cold environments avoid getting wet because water compromises the ability of their fur coats to keep them warm. On the other hand, lions, tigers, jaguars and other species that live in hot habitats often take a dip to cool off. It is thought that the Turkish Van, which hails from the region around Lake Van in eastern Turkey, took to swimming to escape the scorching heat. This swimming cat has dispensed with the undercoat that most cats have and its fur has a cashmere-like texture that makes it water-resistant. The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) from south-east Asia has gone one step further and dives into water to catch fish. Fishing cats have been reported to attack ducks from under the water.

While a Turkish Van can go for a dip and come out relatively dry, most domestic cats hate getting wet, possibly because they must spend hours putting their fur back in order. However, some domestic cats will happily join their owners in the shower or play with a dripping tap.

On one occasion my cat swam out to my fishing boat, a distance of about 100 metres, presumably for company and a feed of pilchards. Her swimming style is similar to a doggy-paddle. She only breached the surface when taking a breath (in a similar manner to a seal). On another occasion, we were netting for bait, and she swam behind the net, attacking fish that were caught in it.

I guess some cats swim and some cats don’t like fish.

Richard

From issue 2545 of New Scientist magazine, 01 April 2006, page 97