Cats Can Conquer Their Fear of Water and Thrive with Aquatic Therapy

Innovative training protocols now enable even injured or disabled cats to experience underwater treadmill therapy and pools without fear.

This adaptive approach lowers stress levels, ensuring cats feel secure and can reap the benefits of the same water-based rehabilitation that aids dogs, horses, and humans. Stefania Uccedu from San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Research Institute in Padua, Italy.

“This is quite unexpected, as it boils down to habituation,” she explains. “Cats, like humans seeing the beach for the first time, have no concept of water. However, once they acclimate to the therapy setting, water becomes less of a concern.”

Underwater treadmills and pool therapies allow both animals and humans to exercise with less strain, making them excellent for rehabilitation and strength training for orthopedic issues like joint and tendon injuries, neurological problems, and senior care.

However, due to their evolution in arid environments, cats often feel extreme stress when encountering water or unfamiliar spaces, leading many owners and therapists to skip aquatic therapy altogether. The rare rehabilitation centers that include cats in water programs often adapt methods originally designed for dogs, according to Uccedu.

To address this, she and her team created a cat-specific protocol. Initially, the cat explores the room to dry off the equipment, then feels a damp towel on its paws. Next, the cat stands in a warm 5-centimeter deep water, familiarizes itself with the treadmill’s sound, and gradually is introduced to deeper water, always with the owner close by. Rewards such as food, petting, and toys are given based on the cats’ preferences.

“Notably, younger cats seem distracted by moving objects, allowing them to forget about the motion itself,” Uccedu notes.

The team tested the protocol with 12 cats of various ages, breeds, and conditions drawn from the clinic’s feline patients with neurological and orthopedic issues.

During the program, each cat was observed for specific stress behaviors such as excessive meowing, licking their nose, and signs of fear. If a cat displayed these behaviors five or more times within a minute, the session was halted.

Uccedu reported that all 12 cats successfully completed rehabilitation programs of varying lengths, from a few weeks to a year, depending on their specific conditions. The cats exhibited remarkable physical progress, with some fully recovering and even climbing trees once again.

Encouraged by the favorable outcomes, the team began applying the protocol in swimming pools, integrating different lighting and music to create a more soothing environment. “Ultimately, the choice is up to the cat,” Uccedu emphasizes. “Some may prefer classical music, while others might enjoy Madonna.”

She stresses that these findings show that cats should not be dismissed from aquatic therapy based solely on their supposed aversion to water. “The encouraging news is that any clinic can apply this protocol and achieve similar outcomes.”