NEARLY HALF OF ALL CATS WANT YOU TO PLAY FETCH WITH THEM

Although some pet owners might argue otherwise, it’s generally accepted that around 80% of dogs will play fetch with their humans. Interestingly, scientists have discovered that nearly half of domesticated cats will also engage in chasing and returning objects to their owners.

In a comprehensive study involving over 8,000 cat owners, Purdue University researchers examined whether cats would display behaviors typically associated with dogs. While 78% of nearly 74,000 dog owners reported that their pets enjoyed playing fetch, the surprising finding was that 41% of cats also participated in this activity.

The researchers noted in their new paper, “Fetching was observed in 40.9% of cats and 77.8% of dogs. For cats, fetching was associated with playfulness and activity levels, while in dogs, it correlated with overall trainability. Additionally, in both cats and dogs, being female, older, living with other dogs, and having health issues were linked to a reduced likelihood of engaging in fetching.”

This study builds on a December 2023 paper in Nature which discovered that cats (Felis catus) displayed fetching behaviors even without specific training. This has led researchers to question whether fetching is an inherent part of feline behavior rather than a learned one through repetition and rewards.

Data collected from 2015 to 2023 revealed that indoor cats were more likely to engage in fetching, with breeds such as Burmese, Siamese, and Tonkinese showing a higher prevalence of this behavior. Despite these findings, researchers, led by Purdue’s Mikel Delgado, still consider the origins of this dog-like behavior to be a mystery.

“The increased incidence of fetching in this population may be attributed to a founder effect, genetic drift, or local selection pressures favoring fetching behavior in this region,” the researchers explained.

While age, breed, and personality factors influence this behavior, the finding that 40.9% of cats participate in fetching significantly surpasses previous estimates of cats occasionally, frequently, or always chasing and returning toys or objects.

Interestingly, the researchers suggest that this fetching behavior is more related to play than to predation or hunting, which are typically associated with cats. However, fetching does have its roots in primal hunting instincts and is now more common among active and playful cats.

“Although cats and dogs differ significantly in their behaviors and the roles they play as companion animals, it’s fascinating to see that so many share this intriguing behavior—fetching!” the researchers remarked. “We hope our study will inspire further investigation into how fetching relates to play, hunting, and social interactions in both cats and dogs.”

An earlier study explored the nuances of cat vocalizations and how humans often struggle to understand what their pets are trying to communicate. It’s no surprise to cat enthusiasts that much more research is needed to accurately interpret the specific communications and behaviors of domesticated cats and dogs. (Though pet owners whose cats or dogs eagerly gather around the treat cupboard might have their own opinions on this!)