Playing Fetch with Your Feline: A Simple 6-Step Training Method

Six Steps to Get Your Cat Playing Fetch

Fetch is not exclusively a dog activity; cats can pick it up as well. I have been told that cats will not chase a ball, but in my experience, some cats enjoy it nearly as much as dogs do. Cats are smart creatures with individual personalities, and they can be every bit as demanding as a needy dog—in my experience, even more so.

Before I tried training my cat, I had not given tricks much thought. Then I began and saw real reactions. My first move was crumpling paper into small balls. The sound of crumpling seemed to appeal to them; they would come running from wherever they were, and once I tossed the balls, they chased after them excitedly. That told me I was on to something, and the games started.

What surprised me was how much simpler it is to teach a cat to fetch than people assume. The more often you repeat the activity, the better your cat responds, because animals thrive on repetition. When my cats were kittens, I began throwing crumpled paper balls and, now and then, little cloth mice for them to retrieve. With some guidance, they would carry them back to me each time.

Pooped out from fetching

Let’s Play Fetch

Repetition is the key to successfully getting your cat to play fetch.

— Boo McCourt

1. Find a Toy Your Cat Likes

The first thing to do is figure out which toy your cat favors. Choose something light and soft, so your cat can pick it up and return it without trouble. For me, that has meant a small felt mouse and crumpled paper balls, though a small plastic ball or another small cat toy can work. Whatever your particular cat likes will make the process smoothest.

Both the two older cats I had and the younger ones went for the paper balls. Because paper balls are very light, the cats can carry them back with no problem.

2. Rub Catnip Onto the Toy

Rubbing catnip into the paper balls makes the activity a lot of fun for the cats. Which cat does not enjoy a bit of catnip? Allow your cat to take a good sniff of the paper ball. After a good sniff of catnip, my cats go wild, rolling around and pouncing everywhere. I toss the toy a few feet away from me—not too far, just enough to tease the cat. Ideally, this gets your cats excited enough to focus on the catnip-covered toy.

3. Praise Your Cat as It Plays

Approach your cat while it is playing with the toy and work in some praise and plenty of attention. Pick up the toy and call your cat by name. Say “Good kitty,” or whatever affectionate name you use. Continue petting and praising your cat, making clear that fetching the toy was a great job.

I also give my cat a treat each time they bring the toy back to me, which proved very effective; they get excited once they realize a treat is coming just for fetching a paper ball.

4. Throw the Toy Further

Draw your cat’s attention back to the cat toy and throw it a bit farther this time. Go to your cat, pick up the ball, and return to where you started. Throw it again and repeat the same sequence several times, letting your cat know it is doing well. Praise, praise, praise. Pets respond to praise for a job well done, and a treat on top of that helps too.

5. Keep a Consistent Routine

Each day, try to follow the same routine at roughly the same time if you can. Your cat will come to expect this routine on a regular basis. Before long, your cat will pick up the toy on its own to signal that it wants to play fetch.

6. Let Your Cats Initiate

Within a few weeks or less, your cat should be picking up the toy and carrying it back to you without being prompted. Take the toy and throw it again. Day by day, your cat will bring the toy closer and closer until it understands that it is playing a game of fetch. My cats love this game of fetch. With practice, yours might too.

Training them was fun and easy. The catnip and treats are very helpful in getting them to bring the paper ball back to me. Crumpling the paper really seems to work best for my cats. Each time I crumpled the paper, they became excited and wanted to play. Follow these few easy steps, and you, too, will have your cat playing fetch in no time.

Featured Gallery

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_My cats love fetching the ball so much that they tire themselves out.

Boo McCourt_

_Fetching is not just for dogs

crazybeanrider_

The many faces of paper balls

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.