Do Tonkinese Cats Like Water – What You Should Know

Your Tonkinese cat is your best buddy, with its shining personality and playful attitude, especially when it comes to water. One thing that seems to vary greatly from cat to cat is an affinity for playing with, and in, water! Your Tonkinese cat could likely be a big fan of water, but being domesticated, they may hate it! So the question remains, do Tonkinese cats like water?

Most Tonkinese like water. They have a curiosity about water more than other breeds. Tonkinese cats are comfortable with baths and will use the water to cool off or for play.  There are essential steps to making sure your cat is as safe and comfortable as possible when near water. 

Seeing a cat fall in love with water or coping with a cat who detests it can both be exciting challenges! In this article, we’ll look at types of cats that love their H20 and those who want to keep as far away from it as possible, even the Tonkinese. 

What Kinds Of Cats Love Water

While Tonkinese cats love water, it’s not always the same for other cat breeds. 

When we think of domestic cats, we don’t necessarily think of them looking forward to baths or wanting to jump in the pool. But we have to remember that our little furry friends are descended from great beasts like tigers, cheetahs, lions, and jaguars. These big cats love taking a dip to stay cool in their warm home climates, and they also are used to fishing and drinking from large bodies of water. Some domesticated cats are not that far distanced from their ancestors when it comes to these habits. 

When looking at the cats that most love water, the vast majority are breeds descended from Asia, such as the Siamese, Burmese, Abyssinian, and Bengal. These felines are more in touch with their original roots. A cat like the Tonkinese is a cross between two Asian breeds, and so they may or may not be water fans. Liking water is not limited to Asian breeds, however. The Maine Coon, Angora, and Norwegian Forest Cats are also lovers of swimming. 

Cats that love the water can be big fans of swimming pools, natural bodies of water, hoses, rain, baths, or lounging in the sink and waiting for you to turn on the faucet. It’s essential to practice safety with your water-loving cat, but as long as you exercise caution, your cat can enjoy a relaxing splash!

How Do I Make My Cat Like Water

Most Tonkinese cats love water, but every cat has it’s own unique personality. For that reason, you may come across a Tonkinese cat that simply hates water. If you want your cat to get used to water or have a cat breed that tends to like water, it’s best to get them used to it at an early age. It is also crucial to supervise your cat and never allow them to play in the water unattended! 

Below are a few key things to consider when introducing your cat to water and making the experience as comfortable and enjoyable for them as possible.

Temperature: Make sure the water your cat will be playing in is a pleasantly warm temperature. If you live in a cold climate for part of the year, it’s probably best to limit your cat’s water fun to the indoors.

Low-key water fun: An excellent way to let your cat play without getting soaking wet is to leave a garden hose or sprinkler on in the yard and let your cat paw at it. 

Pools, tubs, and sinks: You can fill a kiddie pool, bathtub, or sink with warm, shallow water and allow your cat to splash. This is a great way to introduce your cat to water without them getting too cold. 

Lakes, streams, etc.: Some cats may want to swim in bigger areas of water, which is possible if you oversee them. Make sure your cat can identify the exit point, and block off a small space for them, so they don’t end up in water that’s too deep.

 Swimming pools: If your cat is bold about swimming and goes for a dip in your pool, make sure to check that the chemical levels are safe. Too much chlorine or other types of additives to pool water can be dangerous for cats. 

Drying: When you’re drying your cat off from their adventure, make sure to carefully dry their ears. Cats have very deep ear canals that can become easily infected by water or other debris. Dry the rest of their bodies thoroughly to keep them from getting cold or feeling weighed down. 

Why Do Some Cats Hate Water

Just to keep us on our toes, many cats; even the occasional Tonkinese cat detest water. These reasons could, ironically, also be tied to their ancestry. Cats instinctively groom for many hours a day, a habit also practiced by their big cat relatives. This grooming helps them stay cool and makes them feel clean, which can be why water doesn’t attract them. Water also temporarily washes away natural scents and pheromones.

We, humans, get cold when wet, and the same is true of cats. Their usual body temperature is around 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and so jumping in a cold body of water could seem very unappealing, particularly if there isn’t a warm sun spot nearby to go dry off in. Many cats dislike being wet because soaking wet fur gives the uncomfortable feeling of being weighed down and, therefore, not as agile as they’re used to being.

Many cats don’t like water because they simply aren’t used to it. We know cats take time to settle into routines. If you only occasionally give your cat a bath, or they unexpectedly run outside in the rain without knowing what’s in store for them, they can be very displeased. 

How Do I Give My Cat A Bath

With some cats, including the adventurous Tonkinese, it will be inevitable: They’ll get into some dirt, mud, or something else that doesn’t easily come off, and they’ll need a bath! Some cats will also require you to bathe them as they get older or come down with diseases that limit their ability to groom themselves. 

There are cat wipes on the market for minor messes, so if your cat hates water (or if you assume they do), you can try those first to see if you can clean them up without subjecting them to a bath. If that doesn’t work, time for the tub! 

If your cat isn’t used to the water, they will likely be scared. Here are steps to bathing your cat safely and efficiently. 

1) Have your supplies ready. Make sure you have a cup or detachable showerhead, warm towel (or several), and some dish soap or animal shampoo handy. If you think your cat might scratch you, some rubber dish or cleaning gloves might be a useful tool. 

 2) Pre-fill the tub. Put warm water in the bathtub ahead of time. Keep the water running on a slow stream. This will keep your cat from getting cold right away, and will also save them a scare when you turn the faucet on later.

 3) Bring your cat in. Use calm vocal tones to tell them it will be okay. Place them in the water gently. If you have someone who can help hold your cat in place while you clean them, that can prevent messes and scratches! 

4) Bathe your cat gently: Either fill your cup or use your detachable showerhead to gently get your cat wet. The cat will likely resist, so be prepared. Squirt a small bit of dish soap or shampoo into your hands and work it through the cat’s fur in a lather. Watch out for their eyes. 

5) Rinse thoroughly. Make sure the shampoo or soap is thoroughly rinsed before letting the cat out of the bath. 

6) Dry, dry, dry! Cats’ body temperatures can drop quickly, so you must use several towels to get as much moisture as you can out of your cat’s fur. 

 Your cat may be mad at you for a while after you do this. They may also try to groom their wet fur. This is normal. Make sure your feline has a warm place to go after their bath. If you can, give them a treat and some praise. You both survived! 

Final Things To Consider

It might be a little easier to predict whether your cat will like water based on their breed and ancestry, but the truth is, you won’t know how your cat feels about water until they try it! If you have a cat that likes to play with water, just make sure to keep them supervised and safe. Your cat may hate the water, and if they do, then hopefully you can steer clear of it unless they need to be bathed. Your feline’s opinion about water is just one of the many wonderful quirks about these funny, furry creatures.