How I Discovered My Cat Likes to Swim: The Story of Flounder the Purrmaid

Most people think cats and water don’t mix. In fact, I used to think the same — until Flounder proved me completely wrong. Flounder, my adventurous little cat, has always been full of surprises, but nothing could have prepared me for the day I realized she was a true

It All Started with a Bath

When Flounder was just a tiny 3-pound kitten, she had this strange fascination with the bathtub. Every time I took a bath, she would sit beside the tub and cry as if she desperately wanted to join me. One day, while trying to console her, I picked her up. To my shock, she reached toward the water with both paws.

At first, I assumed it was just curiosity. I let her tap the water with her paw, expecting her to pull back like most cats do. But instead, she leaned in further. My curiosity got the better of me, so I placed her gently on my knee so she could get a better look. Before I could react, she leapt straight into the water — and started swimming!

From that day forward, I realized this little cat wasn’t afraid of water at all. She loved it.

Early Signs of a Water-Loving Cat

Looking back, I shouldn’t have been so surprised. Even as a kitten, Flounder had a thing for water. She’d splash in her water bowl and bat at the surface as though it were her personal play toy. I began to suspect she might be a little different from your average cat.

It's a common assumption that breed plays a role in which cats love water, and it may, however I know for a fact all kinds of different cats are capable of loving water and it should be looked at on an individual basis. Flounder is commonly assumed to be a bengal, ocelot, savannah, leopard cat, you name it! All are wrong. There isn't a name for whatever she is, which is why I've taken to calling her a purrmaid, however I have been tagged in videos of tuxedo cats, fluffy cats with obvious double coats, calicos, and even sphinx (hairless) cats enjoying a good swim!

Testing the Waters — Literally

I work on the water, so one day, when Flounder was a bit older, I decided to take her on the boat. I thought she’d be content to lounge and watch the waves. Oh, how wrong I was. As soon as the boat started moving, she tried to jump out! She wasn’t scared — she just wanted to swim. That’s the exact moment I realized I had a true purrmaid on my hands.

The Scariest Adventure: Paddle Boarding

The next big leap (no pun intended) was trying paddle boarding with her. I was terrified. My mind ran through every possible scenario:

• What if she falls in?

• What if the current takes her away?

• What if she panics when we’re already far from shore?

The “what ifs” were endless, but I also knew I couldn’t let fear hold us back. So, I took a deep breath, ignored that little voice in my head, and gave it a try.

Good thing I did — because Flounder LOVED it!

A True Purrmaid

Now, paddle boarding has become our favorite activity together. We paddle out to her own “private beach,” where she dives in to swim, hunt for shrimp, chase fish, and even investigate crabs. She’s made a few surprising encounters too — greeting “stranger shark” and “stranger dolphin” as if they were old friends.

But no matter what we’re doing, nothing brings her more joy than being in the water. Watching her glide through the waves, I can’t help but smile. Flounder isn’t just a cat who likes water — she’s a fish at heart.