Do Cats Play Fetch? Trainable Breeds & Useful Tips
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Fetch has long been associated with dogs. This active game is so pleasing to dogs, as they've spent centuries domesticated to work with and for humans, many for retrieving purposes.
Cats have also been domesticated for a long time, not as workers like dogs but as companions. Although cats and dogs were domesticated for different historical roles, some cats can also learn to play games like fetch through positive reinforcement and repeated play. So, can cats be trained to play the same games as dogs, like fetch?
Do Cats Play Fetch?
Yes, cats can be trained to play fetch just like dogs. The game is slightly different for them, but the concept is the same. You'll need to have a lot of patience and use positive reinforcement techniques, but it is possible to teach some cats to fetch.
How to Teach Your Cat to Play Fetch
Before you start, it's important to understand how fetch works for dogs. Dogs are natural retrievers, and they love to please their owners. For a dog, fetch is all about bringing the ball back to you so you can throw it again.
Cats aren't natural retrievers, and they don't have the same instinct to please their owners that dogs do. This means that you'll have to be a little more creative when teaching your cat to play fetch.
- Choose a toy that your cat loves and is small enough to carry. A ping pong ball or crumpled-up piece of paper works well.
- Start by playing with the toy yourself and making a game of it. Show your cat how much fun you're having and encourage them to join in.
- Allow them time to play with the toy independently, show interest in it, and get used to it.
- Once they're comfortable with the toy, you can start introducing the game of fetch. Begin by rolling or throwing the toy a short distance away from your cat.
- Decide on a cue word or phrase that you will use to signal to your cat that it's time to play fetch. "Fetch" or "go get it" are good options.
- If they go to retrieve it, praise them and give them a treat.
- Once they catch on, you can begin throwing it further distances. Reinforce the behavior with a treat or gentle praise each time.
- Keep practicing this until they start showing signs of wanting to fetch the toy back to you or voluntarily returning toward you with the toy.
- Then mark that behavior as good, give them a treat, and praise.
If your cat becomes frustrated or uninterested at any point, take a break and try again later. Like all training, progress will be made at different rates for each cat. Some may learn quickly, while others may need more time and patience. The most important thing is not to force your cat to do anything they don't want to do and to make sure the experience is positive for both of you. Do this, and before you know it, your cat may begin engaging in fetch games similarly to some dogs.
Cats are much smarter than we give them credit for and can be trained to do all sorts of things, including playing fetch. So, if you want to play this fun game with your cat, have patience, use positive reinforcement, and enjoy spending some quality time with your feline friend.
Cat Breeds That Play Fetch
Let's face it—a cat won't do anything it doesn't want to do. However, some cats are more likely to take to fetch than others, and these breeds are usually those that tend to be highly social, playful, or interactive with people.
Here are a few breeds that may be more inclined to play fetch:
While any cat can be trained to play fetch, these breeds tend to be more intelligent and seek out human companionship; therefore, they may be more motivated to engage in interactive games and training. So, if you're looking for a feline friend with whom you can play this fun game, consider one of these breeds. Who knows? You might just have the next world's greatest feline fetcher on your hands.
Games to Play With Your Cat
Interactive play, like fetch, is an excellent way to bond with your cat. It also provides much-needed mental and physical stimulation.
- Treasure hunt: Hide small treats around the house and let your cat find them. This is a great way to keep their minds active and encourage natural foraging behaviors.
- Hide and seek: A game for all species! You can even make it more difficult by hiding in smaller spaces as your cat gets better at finding you.
- Laser pointer: A classic game that never gets old. Just be sure not to point the laser in their eyes and end the game by redirecting your cat to a physical toy or treat they can catch.
- Fishing pole toy: This is a great way to get your cat moving. Just dangle the toy in front of them and watch them go crazy.
There are endless games you can play with your cat to keep them entertained and engaged. So get creative, have fun, and bond with your feline friend.
Looking for toys that will cater to the many needs of your cat? The Hepper Hi-lo Cat Scratcher is one of our favorite cat products, and it will encourage your cat to get active. Its clever three-angle design offers multiple ways for your cat to climb, stretch, and exercise. Made of a sturdy plywood base and a replacement cardboard insert, this scratcher is an option that cats can enjoy for years to come. If your cat requires a little encouragement for self-play, the Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set is a fantastic choice for their instinctual needs. Made with natural, bite-resistant hessian fabric and filled with organic catnip. Cats can satisfy their natural prey instincts while getting the physical activity they need to thrive.
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Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher |
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Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set |
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At Catster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Conclusion
Whether your cat plays fetch really depends on their personality. Some breeds are more likely to take to the game than others, and even then, it's not a guarantee. However, with patience, positive reinforcement, and some quality time spent together, you may just be able to teach your cat this fun trick.
Related Read: How to Make Your Cat Smarter: 5 Tips for a Brainier Pet
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
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With an early start in the veterinary industry and as a conservation educator at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, Sophie has since been a successful Zookeeper and Conservationist, specializing in native New Zealand species. When she’s not bird watching in native forests or crawling through the underbrush at midnight searching for rare frog species, she can be found with her farmer husband on their sheep and beef station, far from civilization. Alongside them, they have 2 cats, 9 chickens, and 11 dogs (most notably, her sidekick, a black Labrador aptly named Jellybean). Sophie enjoys her writing career as it provides opportunities to help and support pet owners of all kinds to give animals the best welfare possible. The only downside is the long list of strange searches in her internet history!
