Why are cats afraid of water?
Cats generally dislike water. They dislike water because they fear getting their fur wet, as this rapidly lowers their body temperature, making it difficult for them to control. Cats also dislike water because of the smell; losing their scent makes them feel insecure. This dislike is also related to their ancestors, who generally had limited contact with water, instilling in them a fear of the unknown. 
Cats dislike water because they are afraid of getting their fur wet.
It's important to clarify here that when we say cats don't like water, we mean they don't like getting their fur wet, because their fur helps them maintain body temperature. Once a cat gets wet, its fur absorbs moisture and retains it for a period of time. This increased moisture loss draws heat away from the cat, making it difficult for them to maintain their body temperature, especially in cold and dry seasons.
Cats don't like getting wet because of the smell.
Cats are so afraid of water because they fear that water will wash away their scent. Cats have many pores on their bodies that secrete a unique feline scent. When cats smell this scent, they feel safe and secure. However, after a bath or contact with water, this scent disappears, and when cats realize their scent is gone, they definitely feel less safe than before.
Cats' fear of water is related to their ancestors.
The reason cats are afraid of water can be traced back to their ancestors. Research has revealed that long ago, these cats weren't the pets we have today. The cats we keep today are descended from African wildcats and Asian desert cats. These cats lived in very arid regions and rarely had access to water. It is precisely because of this environmental constraint and influence that cats have developed a deep fear of water, as it is something outside their understanding and they feel powerless to control it.
