Can Cats Play Fetch?

It’s National Fetch Day and one of the biggest questions we get from cat parents is: can cats play fetch?

With a handful of similarities between dogs and cats, people often wonder if cats can learn how to play fetch like dogs can, and more importantly, if they would even enjoy it. Here, we’ll cover how to train your cat to play fetch and whether or not they’d like it!

How to teach a cat to play fetch

Many cats can learn to play fetch. If they are open to learning, it will just take you time, patience, and lots of paw-sitive reinforcement (Applaws treats are great for this). Oh, and just the right cat toy!

Some top tips to train your cat to fetch

•  Start early, if possible. As the adage goes, “you can’t teach an old [cat] new tricks.” It’s not impossible to teach a full-grown cat who wants to learn, but it’s easier to teach a kitten.
• Use a toy your cat already loves. Throw it short distances to get your cat interested in retrieving it.
• Start small. Have your cat start with 1 or 2 successful fetches in one session, then slowly build to more.
• Use a word cue. Use a word like “fetch” so that, with repetition, your cat understands what is expected of them.
• Lots of treats! Cats can respond well to positive reinforcement, so be sure to keep their favourite treats on hand for when they successfully fetch. (Bonus: if your pet is retrieving the toy but doesn’t want to drop it for you, offering a treat may get them to drop the toy in favour of the treat).
• Be patient with your cat. Fetch training may take some time.

If they seem to get bored or agitated during training, stop and try again another day. If they seem uninterested or irritated every time you try fetch training, they may not enjoy fetching. So instead, why not try another activity you and your cat can do together!

Do cats like to play fetch?

Like anything else, your furry friend has their own unique personality and their own likes and dislikes. If you’ve had your cat for a while, you probably already have a good idea about which activities they enjoy and which they don’t. They may not enjoy playing fetch. If this is the case, don’t force it!

Whether or not your cat wants to play fetch, giving them attention and adequate playtime is great for keeping your cat happy and healthy. So make sure you’re giving them stimulation that they like.

Do you play fetch with your cat?

We’d love to see your cat playing fetch on social media. Post a video of them fetching and be sure to tag our Instagram!