Cats have a reputation for being lazy and nonchalant, with an "I do whatever I want" attitude. But cats need exercise and stimulation, too, including being played with regularly. Especially cat breeds that naturally have more energy, like Bengals, Siamese, and Sphynx cats.
Although cats won't play with you like dogs will, many of them do like to play and are smart enough to learn new tricks. Fetch is usually associated with dogs, but you can teach your cat to play fetch, too. Not only is it a great way to get your cat some exercise, but you can also brag to your friends and family that you have a cat that plays fetch.
Here's how to teach your cat to play fetch in just a few simple steps.
How to teach a cat to fetch
1. Find a toy your cat likes
A cat is more likely to play fetch if they're going after a toy that they like. But cats can be very particular about the types of toys they prefer to play with. Some like those stuffed mice that are filled with catnip, others like balls, and some like pom-poms or things with feathers.
If you know what type of toy your cat likes, you're already off to a good start. If not, try out different toys to find your cat's favorite. Just make sure it's small enough to fit in their mouth and easy for them to carry if you're going to be playing fetch with it!
2. Use the toy to get your cat's attention
Some cats will play just fine by themselves. But other cats don't realize the appeal of a toy until it gets their attention in some way. You can attract your cat to a certain toy by playing with it in front of them. Toss it around, roll it towards your cat, or play tug of war with it, especially if it's a toy mouse.
You just have to make the toy interesting for your cat. Sometimes, that toy will become your cat's favorite if they associate it with you playing with them. Most cats love attention, after all, and they'll do whatever it takes to get it. If that means bringing you a toy to play with, then so be it.
3. Toss the toy away from you
Once your cat is interested in the toy, you can throw the toy a short distance away from. If your cat is really interested, they will run after the toy and pick it up. If they do this, praise them, pet them, or give them a treat. That way, they associate the action with something positive.
It may take a few times of doing this for your cat to actually pick up the toy, but they'll get it eventually. You may have to reward them several times before they will pick up the toy consistently. If they just don't seem to want to, try again later or try different toys until you find one your cat is interested in.
4. Encourage your cat to bring it back to you
Once your cat is picking up the toy consistently when you throw it, encourage them to bring it back to you. Make sure you stay in one place after you throw it. Call your cat's name and pat the floor or your lap to get them to come back to you. Or, use whatever cue you normally use to get your cat to come to you.
With any luck, they'll bring the toy with them. Make sure to give them a treat or reward if they do. But you may still have to do this several times before they bring it back.
5. Practice, practice, practice
They say practice makes perfect, so make sure you continue to practice any of the steps above until your cat gets the hang of it. It may happen quickly, or it may take several months. Eventually, your cat will be playing fetch and most will turn out to love it.
Don't practice too much at one time, though. Your cat may get bored if you try for too long, which can make them not want to play in the future. A few minutes every day is good. Just make sure to practice consistently. The more consistent you are, the faster your cat will learn.
Hopefully, these tips will help you teach your cat to play fetch in no time and you'll have a cool new trick for you and your cat to show off at parties!