Cats are very clean animals and spend several hours a day grooming themselves, which eliminates the need for water, as their saliva acts as a natural deodorant.
However, cats possess a highly developed sense of smell. When a cat’s fur gets wet, water can dilute the natural oils and secretions on their body, altering the scent of their fur and making them unfamiliar with their own smell. It takes a long time for their fur to regain its original scent if it becomes wet.
This is one of the reasons why many cats dislike baths or being forcefully immersed in water.
However, not all cat species share this aversion. The level of water aversion or acceptance can vary among individual cats and may also depend on their breed, personality, and previous experiences with water.