Source: Ars Technica
A study published in PLoS ONE reveals that cats play fetch with their owners more often than previously believed, with 40.9% of cats engaging in this behavior compared to 77.8% of dogs. While conventional wisdom suggests only dogs play fetch, the research indicates that some cats, especially active breeds like Siamese, Burmese, Tonkinese, and Bengals, frequently fetch without explicit training. Male and active cats, as well as those that initiate the game, are more likely to play fetch.
In contrast, 12% of dogs do not engage in fetch, and those that do are often from trainable breeds like Labradors and Golden Retrievers. The study, based on data from over 8,000 cat owners and nearly 74,000 dog owners, highlights how dogs were domesticated for specific tasks, such as retrieving, while cats were not. This research challenges stereotypes about cats’ independence and social behavior, showing they can be interactive with humans.
Read the full story HERE: https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/09/cats-play-fetch-more-often-than-previously-believed-though-still-less-than-dogs/