Skip to main content

Funny cat behavior: This confused kitty’s reaction to a running bath is hilarious

Here are the 3 reasons cats might hate water

Cats are well known for being bossy, aloof, and independent. They’re also famous for having a sworn enemy: water. That’s why it’s particularly funny to see kitties interact with the dreaded liquid, especially as it usually ends in hissing, running, and hiding. This little lady, however, has a different approach, and we get to watch as her endless curiosity about the sink blossoms into a hilarious encounter. It’s just another example of weird cat behavior that makes us enjoy our pets so much.

@marcelinethecatqu33n

She gets weirder ever day ? #cat #kittensoftiktok #hemmingwaycat #animalsoftiktok #funny #cute #cutecats #fyp

♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

The video takes a few watchings cause there’s a blink and you’ll miss it intro of the tub filling with water. Then we pan to our beloved star, the cat. Captioned “She gets weirder every day,” it follows the black and white feline as she stands on her hind legs and walks around trying to get a better look into the tub, possibly studying the water. Finally, she approaches and determines that this isn’t what she signed up for. The clip ends with the cat backing away and then scampering from the room. But don’t worry, she turns at the final second to give one last look.

Recommended Videos

The top comment tried to get into this pretty kitty’s head with, “She wants to save you, but that’s a lot of water.” We agree, Circe’s Protégé, no cat could be expected to brave a running sink.

Other commenters praised the starlet for what was deemed “the meerkat stance.”  blackkeye wrote the animal’s inner monologue: “It’s not stopping, the water isn’t stopping. Time to evacuate!!!” She certainly makes a run for it at the end but sticks around to make sure the humans will be OK.

Lastly, russian_lil_mami said what we were really all thinking: “Cats’ paws look like mittens.” Yup, that tracks.

Helena Jankovičová Kováčová / Pexels

Why do cats hate water?

The truth is, not all cats hate water, and you may stumble upon the occasional mouser who even enjoys a good bath or swim. But most cats truly despise getting wet, in part because their coats take so long to dry. A soaked kitty will feel really uncomfortable when their fur gets heavy from the extra liquid and can struggle to stay warm. When a cat falls into a tub or pool, they also deal with the shock of wet and often cold that comes with it. You probably wouldn’t enjoy being unsuspectingly dunked, either. One other theory: domestic cats hail from the Ancient Middle East, including Egypt. They may have evolved in dry, desert-like climates and so are naturally waterphobic.

Regardless of the real reason, it’s best to keep your cat away from water as much as possible. If they do get wet or you find that your kitty needs a bath, be sure to crank the heat and find some good towels for drying so they don’t feel too heavy afterward. Unless your pet decides to check out the sink or tub herself, try your best to keep your feline away from her nemesis.

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Can cats and pet birds coexist? 7 tips for keeping pets safe and happy
It's not unheard of to see these two species be friends
A white tabby cat with green eyes stands looking out a window

If you're familiar with Looney Tunes, you know the famous duo comprised of Tweety Bird and Sylvester the Cat. They were popular cartoon characters until recently, though they may have also helped spread the stereotype of a vindictive cat-and-bird relationship that we know and love today.

But can cats and birds live together? It's only normal to speculate. While it seems like birds and cats could easily occupy different spaces and avoid each other's presence, the reality of cat and bird households can look very different. You'll want to know this about cats and pet birds living together and what you can do to make it as peaceful of an experience as possible for everyone involved.
Can birds and cats live together?

Read more
Why do cats rub themselves against you? It’s not because they love you
You should still take this behavior as a compliment though
Tiger cat rubbing against a person's legs

If you've ever sat down on the couch after being at work all day, you've probably noticed that your cat comes over and rubs against your legs or even hops up and rubs against your sides and arms. At first glance, this behavior might seem to be a display of affection, and you could think that your cat is cuddling up with you because they love you.

In fact, the real reason behind your pet's behavior isn't quite as flattering. So why do cats rub against you? It all has to do with your kitty's instincts and how they relate to other cats.
What cats are doing when they rub against you

Read more
Why do cats kill small animals? A chemical analysis of their whiskers has the answer
What to do about this natural yet unsettling behavior
A gray tabby cat hunting in grass

While there's no doubt that your cat is a cuddly little fur ball, he’s also a natural-born predator. In fact, domestic cats are considered a globally invasive species, and one 2013 report found that cats kill 1.4 to 3.7 million birds yearly. Unfortunately, the news about your little sofa lion’s capabilities only gets grimmer from there. Cats kill more than 20 billion mammals each year, including rats, squirrels, and rabbits. However, this surprises many cat owners, especially if their sweet kitty happily purrs all day and snuggles with you each night.
A study of cat whiskers provides more insight into why cats kill animals. Here’s what researchers found and what it teaches us about our feline friends. You may be surprised at what you learn!

Why do cats kill? About the study

Read more