Published:
08/08/2012 02:24pm
Swimming Cats
Yes, cats can swim.
I first learned of cats swimming skills from my parents, during their visit with friends on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
They went out fishing, and my parents watched, in wonder, as they rounded into the bay.
One of their friend’s cats swam out to greet the fishing boat. Apparently, this amazing cat, recognized their boat, and swam out to meet them, every day, as they returned home!
Their friend lifted the salt water drenched cat out of the bay, motored to the beach, docked, and all happily stepped on land together.
Knowing that cats can indeed swim, and because, our new home has a large back yard swimming pool, and we have four cats it was necessity to teach them how to swim.
Cats are not in love with swimming. Neither would you be, if you had to towel off by using a tiny pink tongue, and you were covered from nose to toes with fur!
Our concern, was that our four Silver Persians might not know what to do, if they inadvertently fell into the pool, while concentrating, looking up, chasing butterflies.
We were worried about two things; if they fell in, could they swim? And, if they swam to the edge, could they pull themselves safety out of the pool? More pets drown, not because they can’t swim, but there is not way for them to get out of a pool.
Our Persians were born into my hands, they have only known a soft and gentle touch. They trust us not to be anything but be kind. Most people think our cats are declawed, but they are not, because they are equally as gentle with us.
We were concerned about being clawed by them, in the water, but were holding to the fact that they were mild mannered cats...so far!
Our daughter, Ariel, is a life guard, swim instructor and Paramedic. We took the task/job of teaching the cats how to swim seriously, and with loving care and patience.
We wanted the cats to know that if they fell into the pool, not to panic, that they would be safe. Wet, but safe, and they could climb out of the pool.
Ariel held Sabrina, her 12-year-old Humane Society Rescue cat, firmly and calmly, until Sabrina felt relaxed in the warm pool water.
We watched Sabrina’s reactions, and when her face became calm, Ariel released her...and Sabrina “ran” in the water, for all she was worth to the pool's edge.
Swimming came naturally to Sabrina. We swam after her, held and released her three more times. Each time her strokes became stronger, and the expression on her face was more confident. Not once did she get her face wet!
We let Sabrina pull herself up out of the pool, so she knew she could do it, and we could see she could do it. We were building her confidence.
We then walked one of the four Persians into the water, gently the same way, talking to them with love.
These cats were raised with kindness and they trust us. As you know, not all cats will react this way in water!
Our neighbor, Cindy’s cat, is a humorous short haired grey alley cat. He loves water. Misubishi loves to chase the garden hose water, and demands the bathroom sink be turned on, so he can play in its stream. It just seemed natural to let Mitsubishi have a swim too, because he comes into our back yard, when he follows her grandchildren over for their swim lessons.
Cindy held him securely in a towel, as she walked him into the pool. He wailed the entire time. And when she let him go, he swam as fast as he could to the edge, pulled himself up, out of the water, turned around, gave her a dirty look, and bolted back home, with water spraying off his body. It was hard not to laugh...even now we still giggle at the memory! He has not been back in our back yard since! But he did what he was supposed to, he swam and learned that he could safely climb out.
Our method, to teach cats how to swim, is to hold the cat in our arms, until their legs and paws begin to move in the water. They are trying to run away. The more they move, the more familiar the feel of the water is on their limbs, and with the motion of swimming.
You gently caress
