Is it possible to teach my cat how to fetch?

Question

My cat puffer, He is about 5 likes to chase after my hair bands. I hold one up to his face them i throw it, He runs after it but he doesnt bring it back. Is it possible to teach him how to bring it back or is that just a trick for dogs?

Answer 1

YEP  YES  %100  sure

Answer 2

My Maine Coon (Jynx) fetches all the time.  Tho, I'd be careful using hairbands.  Jynx likes those puff balls you get a PetSmart. I taught her to fetch by scratching her back (she's a bit OCD about being scratched) and she realized whenever she brought the puff to me, she got a "good girl!!!" and a big old itchy scratch.  Try it with yours by using a little treat (Temptations are great) or a small itty bit of catnip.  You can teach him how to do almost any trick a dog does.  Cats are smarter than dogs, they just choose not to let thier owners know.

Answer 3

I have found that fetching depends on the cat. My parents have a 16 year old that fetches, He has always fetched.  When he was younger he would steal hair bands in order to get you to play.  While he fetched, he was very picky about it. He would bring it back if you "ignored" him coming back.  If you pretended to be busy with something else he would come trotting back with the band.  If you praised him as soon as you saw him with the band he would drop it right there and walk away.  

Try being repetitive and praise with a treat when he brings it back.  But don't make it as obvious as you would with a dog.  You may be "insulting" his catlike independence.  Some kitties are strange like that.

Good luck

Answer 4

It depends on your cat. Even if you can train him to retrieve it, he'll never be a Labrador or anything though.

Answer 5

It is possible, you'd teach him just like you would a dog, through repetition and positive re enforcement.

Answer 6

I think its possible,I have heard of fetching cats before,but I think it was instinct not taught,but you probably can teach him to though I don't know how you would,wanna see the tricks I taught my Cat? here it is if your interested.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiKArXwwC...