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Grandma with curly grey hair and glasses wipes an old silver car as a fluffy orange cat swats at water spraying from a hose. 8 / 27

They Say Cats Hate Water. Nobody Told Opal's Orange Longhair.

AI imageorange longhair catcar washdriveway

Opal is crouched in the driveway with a blue sponge, scrubbing the bumper of her old silver sedan, when she notices she has company. The garden hose lies on the wet pavement, spraying a fan of water across the concrete, and Butterscotch has decided to take it on. The big orange longhair stretches out one paw to bat at the spray, his whiskers back and eyes wide with excitement, the tip of his plumed tail flicked high. His fur is starting to get damp. Opal, in her olive cardigan and khakis, glasses perched low, watches with a look of amused patience. A laundry basket and potted plants sit by the side of the house.

It's a myth that all cats hate water. Many are simply fascinated by moving water, like a dripping faucet or a spraying hose, even if they don't want to be soaked. Batting at water lets them practice their hunting reflexes. If your cat likes to play near a hose, keep the pressure gentle and never spray them directly, which can frighten them. Car-washing soaps and wax shouldn't be licked off fur, so keep the cat away from sudsy puddles and rinse their paws if they wander through. A long, thick coat like Butterscotch's takes a while to dry, so a towel and a warm spot afterward are helpful.

The car might take longer to clean today, but Opal doesn't mind. A splashing orange cat is far better entertainment than an empty driveway.

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