How To Teach A Cat To Play Fetch

past Jill Fanslau

Pet behaviorist Arden Moore'south i-year-erstwhile kitten, Casey, sits on command and walks on a ternion. But his favorite matter to do is play fetch.

Moore just has to open a drawer and pull out a toy, and Casey comes running, excited to play.

"Information technology'south important to enrich your true cat physically and mentally," says Moore, founder of the site Four Legged Life and the author ofFit True cat: Tips and Tricks to Give Your Pet a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life.

"When you play with a purpose — like y'all do with fetch — yous reach both."

Besides, why should dogs take all the fun? Here are Moore'due south 8 tips for educational activity your cat how to fetch.

1. Discover the Perfect Space

Pick a small, confined area. You want somewhere that has no interruptions and few obstacles to impede your toss. Every bit your cat gets ameliorate at the game, y'all can move to a larger space.

ii. Choose the Best "Fetch" Toy

No cat is the aforementioned every bit another. That means i cat may love chasing crunchy wadded up paper while another cat likes a lightweight stuffed beast that jingles. Figure out what your true cat's favoriteobject is and use it every time you play fetch, Moore says.

3. Pick the Right Time

Begin your play session when your cat is fully awake and alert. Moore recommends starting before a mealtime.

4. Reward the Behavior

And if you do play before a mealtime, you can use edible treats as a reward.

"It'southward called operate workout," says Moore. "When your cat does what you enquire her to practise, she go's rewarded. You don't punish the behavior if they don't do it."

5. Marking the Behavior

When Moore first taught Casey to fetch, she would phone call his name and have a small treat in one mitt. Then she would toss Casey's toy and say "fetch." When Casey brought the toy back to her, Moore would say "good fetch" out loud and requite her kitten the treat."I'thou reinforcing the desired behavior with words," says Moore. "Cats are smart, and they recognize the discussion 'fetch' subsequently awhile."

6. Outfox Your Cat

If your cat gets the toy but won't driblet it, show him the treat, says Moore. He'll drop the toy to get the treat. When he does that, give him the treat, say "skilful fetch," and grab the toy with your other mitt.

7. Increase the Toy'due south Value

It's important non to leave the fetch object laying effectually the house. Otherwise the object will lose it'southward value, says Moore. Find a special identify for the toy — similar a drawer or a chiffonier — and always put it away there.

"You have to increase the real-estate value of the toy," she explains. "Make it their grade-A favorite toy." That makes it more enticing for the cat.

If your true cat is within earshot when you lot open up the drawer or the cabinet, she'll know it's fetch time and she'll come running in.

viii. Advance the Game

One time your cat gets the hang of fetch, y'all can progress the game. Grab a friend and sit at opposite ends of a hallway. Put your true cat in the middle, and then toss the toy over her head similar "Monkey in the Center," suggests Moore.It's a fun mode to teach your cat to play with your friends, she says. And when Moore takes Casey places with her, the kitten volition play fetch anywhere and with anyone.

nine. Have Fun

"Your true cat doesn't need to play fetch 14 hours a day," says Moore. "Do information technology for iii to 5 minutes at a time."

Build on little steps of success. Your true cat may only fetch once or twice earlier they don't desire to do it anymore. When that happens, end the session. Remember, this should be a fun experience for both yous and your cat. Never force your true cat to do something she doesn't want to do.

Paradigm:Tony Harrison / Flickr

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