Cats can play fetch like dogs but probably not for the same reasons

Researchers studied fetching behavior in over 1,000 cats. Many pets seem to like to play the game with toys and other objects but only on their terms.

• Researchers surveyed hundreds of people who have cats that play fetch.
• Though the game is typically associated with dogs, some cats enjoy it, too.
• They seem to like to play with toys, crumpled balls, and other light, carry-able objects.

Some cats might drop a dead animal at their owners' feet, but others bring their favorite toy in hopes the person will throw it. Much like dogs, some cats enjoy a game of fetch.

But cats' motivation may be different from dogs, who are mainly focused on the social bond with their owner rather than the object, Jemma Forman, an animal psychologist at the University of Sussex, told Business Insider via email.

"In cats, we are not so sure whether fetching is a social bonding activity for them or whether they are trying to get us to simply throw an object for their entertainment or perhaps both," Forman said.

Forman and other researchers recently published a paper in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports on cats that play fetch. They surveyed hundreds of owners to learn more about the playful behavior in over 1,000 cats.

Some cats like to fetch toys, hair ties, and tinfoil

In the survey, the researchers asked cat owners what objects their pets like to fetch. Toys topped the list, including plushies, catnip toys, and fake mice, Forman said. Cats also seemed to like to play with crumpled paper or tinfoil, hair ties, cotton pads, and bobby pins, Forman added.

"I think overall it's objects that cats can opportunistically play with," Forman said, so small, light-weight items they can carry in their mouths without swallowing. (Rubber bands and hair ties can be especially dangerous for cats to swallow.)

For Forman, the most surprising thing the survey revealed was that almost all the respondents, about 94%, said their cat wasn't trained to play the game. "It shows that more cats have the capability to play fetch than perhaps previously thought," she said.

In fact, some owners found out their cat enjoys fetch simply by accident. Like if their cat retrieved a piece of paper that missed the trash can.

For cats, playing is similar to hunting

While exactly why cats enjoy playing fetch will take further research, Froman said most cats play similarly to how they hunt: chasing, leaping, biting, stalking, and so on.

Some owners said their cats would play with their toys for a bit before bringing them back. "So throwing the object could be mimicking the motion of fast-moving prey that motivates the cat to chase after it and play with it," Forman said.

In a finding that likely won't surprise many cat owners, the felines were generally the ones setting the rules of the game.

"More owners reported that their cats are in control of initiating their fetching sessions than they are," Forman said. Cats were also more enthusiastic or played longer when they initiated, she said.

In other words, don't be offended if your cat doesn't chase its toy when you decide to toss it.

Forman said playing with cats could help owners understand their pets' behaviors. "Understanding the needs of your cat and improving owner understanding of cat communication is key to engaging in a positive play session and ensuring future positive play sessions, too," she said.

Because the survey targeted people with cats who play fetch, it's not clear how common the behavior is. That could be an area of future research, Forman said.

Owners with fetching cats can sign up to participate in the researchers' next survey, which plans to focus on whether the game is socially motivated.