Can cats swim? Logically they must be able to, but of all the sites I’ve searched there seems to be no conclusive proof. Perhaps a picture, video, or hell, just a reputable link would do it.
I’ve finished my laps with the chickens and I was considering moving on to cats… but I ask you… is it possible?
yes, all cats can swim… this breed actually enjoys it:
My plain old no breed moggy enjoyed swimming. She used to sit on the side of the bath, and paddle around when I’d gotten out. Of course, since the time my ex-hubby was in the bath, and she saw his willy just floating there and thought “FISH, gonna get it” we had to keep the bathroom door shut. Hehehe, ex-hubby screamed like a girl, but that’s neither here nor there.
When we needed to wash the dog, we’d put a couple inches in the bath and then try to grab the dog (he always knew it was bath time). We’d finally get the dog into the bathroom, and there was the cat, paddling around, having the time of her life.
The cat liked water, loved paddling around and having a swim.
Dino, while I appreciate the specific breed you pointed out, generalizing from the particular to the general isn’t what I’m looking for. I’d like to see a site or some evidence that “all cats can swim” and not my cat or a particular breed enjoys swimming.
I don’t mean to sound harsh (written media isn’t my best suit) I’m just frusterated by the lack of websites which support my initial assumptions…
My wife still doesn’t believe me…
From here.
Some cats enjoy water and can swim. Other cats hate water and can levitate.
Thanks QED, but I’m looking for something more concrete. The ultimate link would lead me to actual studiest that were conducted or something similar. Hell, a video of a domestic tabby swimming around would probably do it… My wife is close to claiming victory by default. It’s not fair I tell you…
From here. Aside from the banner ads, this source certainly seems credible.
You want to win an argument? Why didn’t you say so! (What did you bet? I’d make the wager **Bigger{/B] right now, go ahead, I’ll wait…)
Hmmm, more concrete evidence from the internet? (I dare say that in school we were not even allowed to use web sites as a source because of their inability to be easily verifiable - anyone can host a web site). However, though my word (and zoology degree) is not good enough to convince you outright, I am not going to be bitter (well maybe a little bitter :mad: - there, I feel better now).
Ok, here is your photo of a swimming tiger (scroll down about halfway):
You’re welcome.
Tell your wife that the cat-swimming thing is a silly wives-tale (and that I’m now your new zoological information source). Next time we talk up-front about my percentage of the winnings… 
… Drat, it seems I was beaten to the punch.
Haaah !
Of course, your tiger cite is more interesting than my tiger cite. 
We used to take our kitties up to the Santa Ynez river near Santa Barbara and chuck 'em in. They swimmed OK.
Of course, we were just trying to wash off the marker ink with which we had decorated them but it’s the thought that counts.
No Kitties were harmed in this experiment
When I was very young, I lived on my grandfathers farm in Ohio. There was a creek that ran by his barn. Near the barn the creek had dug out under the roots of a very large tree causing a sort of cave. One day I saw a cat swimming at the mouth of that cave. A farm hand was with me and I asked him what the cat was doing. He said “Your grandfather told me to get rid of the cat, so I tied a string around its neck and the other end around one of the roots of that tree.” I asked if the cat was going to just keep swimming. He said “No, not much longer”. That was almost 60 years ago and it made an impression I’ll never forget. It also answers your question.
Once, many years ago I was told to “get rid of” some cats which had decided to live in my mother’s yard. I didn’t want to hurt them, so I threw them off the pier. They all swam back to shore. The next time I saw them, I threw them off the pier again and they all swam back in. After a few more times of the same thing happening, they moved.
I believe that it’s unusual for a mammal to be unable to swim.
Even animals that often just walk across the bottom of a body of water, such as the noble armored diller, are able to swim.
Additionally, I, too, have owned swimming cats who would get into the tub and be cute and not yellow and fuzzy.
If - and your user name prompts this question - you worry that there is a secret military project involving feline aquatic creatures, fear not.
Film of a swimming Himalayan. Scroll down to the bottom.
SwimmingwithChickens, I too saw a cat swim. I was in college. My roomate tossed a cat into the swimming pool. The cat very quickly swam to the edge and pulled itself out. Cats are better able to escape swimming pools than dogs, who aren’t able to climb well.
I suggest an empirical test. Find yourself a cat. Pick it up and toss it into a swimming pool. If karma is equitable to the cat, he will claw you up a bit. If the cat sinks, jump in and rescue him (more clawing). More likely, the cat will swim to the side and pull himself out.
Back in the 80’s, when water babies (teaching infants to hold their breath underwater and sort-of swim) were popular, I saw a book with pictures of cats swimming underwater. If you get a kitten used to water, it may grow up liking an occasional swim, supposedly.