How To Teach a Cat to Fetch

Many people believe that only dogs can be taught to fetch, but actually you can teach a cat to fetch, too. Cats are intelligent but stubborn; they may understand what you want from them, but the difficulty is in getting them to follow your directions. Here’s how to teach a cat to fetch:

1. Understand cat training basics. Most cats are not as trainable as dogs because they will ignore their owners, even if they understand what you want them to do. They aren’t as eager to please as most dogs. It is useless to try to teach a cat to fetch with loud commands and other methods that may work with dogs.
2. Find your cat’s favorite toy. To teach a cat to fetch, you need an object that they will want to retrieve. Watch your cat to determine their favorite plaything; it may be a catnip mouse or even just a crumpled-up ball of paper. Notice that when playing with this object, your cat will bat it around, letting it go intentionally so that he can stalk and capture it again. This is the key to successfully teaching a cat to fetch. Whatever toy you choose, make sure that it is not small enough to be swallowed, since you want the cat to return it using their mouth. Pick a lightweight toy that will be easy for them to carry in this manner.
3. Throw your cat’s toy. Wait until your cat is not distracted by food or a nap. Take your cat’s favorite toy, and toss it over your cat’s head. Cats are very attentive, and will notice their favorite toy flying through the air. Your cat may or may not chase after it. A cat will only chase after a toy if it’s in their own interests; they won’t bring back the toy to gain your approval, as some dogs might.
4. Keep trying. It may take several throws before your cat understands. Your cat may first run to the toy and bat it around. Eventually they will learn to retrieve the toy with their teeth and bring it to your feet, much like they would bring a dead mouse to your doorstep as a token of love. You may want to start by throwing the toy short distances, gradually increasing the distance.
5. Make sure your cat sees you. If your cat doesn’t seem interested in the toy sailing over their head, make sure that they saw you throw it. Some cats won’t chase after the toy if they didn’t know it was being thrown beforehand. By letting them watch you throw it, perhaps even with exaggerated motions, they will be able to react quickly and chase after it. Try throwing the toy onto a slippery surface, such as hardwood floors, so that it continues to move a little after it lands. This may entice your cat to go check it out.
6. Give praise. When your cat successfully fetches the toy, shower them with praise, pet their head, and feed them a small treat.

Cats are intelligent creatures that can certainly be taught to fetch, although it does require patience. It is best to begin teaching a cat tricks when it is still a young kitten, but this doesn’t mean that older pets cannot learn to fetch.