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Scientists offer feline-friendly advice on how to get your cat to play fetch more
Scientists found that cats want to be in control of playtime, have a favorite human playmate, and have a preferred location for fetch.
Playing, more specifically playing fetch, is a common and adorable trait in our domesticated companions. Whilst almost all pet owners would admit that their feline friend is the one in charge of when and where they play, new research is offering some helpful advice on how you can encourage your cat to play fetch more.
Researchers explain how to encourage your cat to play fetch more
A team of researchers from the University of Sussex has found that cats played for longer when they started games of fetch themselves, had a favorite human playmate, and preferred playing locations in the house.
The researchers surveyed 1,154 cats from 924 owners, noting that whilst cats are famous for the ease with which they accommodate us humans, how they can actually manipulate us for their own personal gain is less well-known. Especially when it comes to playing games like fetch.
They found several interesting results that could help you play fetch with your cat more:
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Firstly, cats played fetch for longer when they started playing themselves compared to when their owners started first but also played for longer when their owners ended the game.
This suggests that cats want to be in control of when these playing sessions start, are more likely to play fetch when they are already showing playful behavior (such as zoomies), and are more than willing to play fetch for as long as you show interest.
Secondly, cats also have a favorite toy for playing fetch – which might be why your feline friend frustratingly ignores the expensive toys in favor of more robust, cheap bits of plastic.
The researchers state that those favorite toys are typically those similar to the size of a mouse that are moved erratically instead of being stationary and can break or pull apart while the cat interacts with them to maintain engagement.
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If they cant find a toy that they want to play with, cats will typically then move onto household objects with the participating owners citing everything from elastic bands to pompoms.
They also have a preferred household member to play fetch with. So, if it seems that a family member or spouse is getting more playful attention than you are, dont be upset they just might have already been chosen as the preferred playmate.
In terms of locations around the house, the bedroom and staircase were reportedly the most optimum places for playing fetch.
Bedrooms can often be one of the warmer rooms in a house, whilst stairs offer unique verticality that cats tend to prefer height differences make it more interesting for the cat said lead researcher Jemma Forman.
Mixed-breed cats are also more likely to play fetch than purebreds, with the Siamese breed being amongst the most likely purebreds to play.
In terms of age, the majority of the cats studied started expressing fetching behavior when they were under one year old, with a median age of just 7 months. This means that if your cat is getting on a bit in age and hasnt yet started playing fetch, its probably never going to happen.
On the flip side, if your kitten or young cat has shown a desire to play fetch with you by the time they have their first birthday, be prepared for a lifetime of buying wands and other toys.
I think the main takeaway message would be for owners to be open and receptive to their cat’s needs and behaviors. Their cat may already be communicating that they want to play at certain times but it can be difficult to tell!
The entire research paper is available to read via Nature, and we hope this information helps to encourage some more delightful playtime between you and your cat in 2024.
