# Is this normal cat behavior? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 9, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602 "2019-12-09T17:56:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/1 "2019-12-09T17:56:50Z")
My Moki is going on 2 years old, and she loves to play fetch. She’ll put something next to me on the recliner, then sit on the floor waiting for me to throw it. Rarely one of her many toys- usually something like a wadded up twist tie or rubber band. She’ll run and get it, and then bring it back. I haven’t had a cat for decades, and don’t remember them playing fetch. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/2 "2019-12-09T18:00:19Z")
It’s certainly not common that a cat would “play fetch,” but I believe it’s well within the _extremely wide range_ of what is considered “normal” cat behavior. Cats are very strange little creatures. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/3 "2019-12-09T18:11:02Z")
Had a cat that did that. I would argue, though, that no cat behavior is normal. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/4 "2019-12-09T18:11:25Z")
I had a ginger cat who liked to play fetch. We used foam golf-ball sized balls we got from the pet store. There was a cat on the label so I assume fetch isn’t too rare among cats (although, I suppose most cats might use the balls to just bat around the floor.) ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/5 "2019-12-09T18:33:26Z")
some cats will fetch because its part of how mom teaches them to hunt Mom will catch something bring it to them let iy go and there supposed to catch it and bring it to her… some cats enjoy that part especially when their owner affirms they did something good … Now if my cat ever catches that darned red dot … ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/6 "2019-12-09T18:40:59Z")
No, it’s not normal at my house. They’re good at hiding things from me, tho’ ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/7 "2019-12-09T18:44:15Z")
Cats love to chase moving objects, the only thing that is needed to change this into a game of fetch is the realization on the cats part that if he brings it to you, you will throw it again. Some cats work this out, other don’t. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/8 "2019-12-09T19:08:14Z")
I’ve had cats\* all my life, and playing fetch, for as long as maybe 5 minutes non-stop, has happened occasionally with different cats (always young adults). \*Domestic Shorthair American Pussy Cats ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/9 "2019-12-09T19:14:28Z")
Yeah, unusual but not “abby-normal”. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/10 "2019-12-09T19:16:09Z")
One of the cats we had when I was a child would fetch, but only little hollow plastic grapes we’d pluck from Mom’s fake bunch. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/11 "2019-12-09T19:20:44Z")
My sister had a cat who loved playing fetch. We would throw the ball down the basement stairs and he’d face after it,retrieve it and bring it back to you. He wanted to do this for a half-hour or so straight. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/12 "2019-12-09T19:29:08Z")
I disagree it even falls into the category of unusual. Energetic kittens and young cats especially enjoy this game. It has to be something that catches their attention ([this](https://www.amazon.com/Nargos-Colorful-Sponge-Feathers-Christmas-Version/dp/B01MCUS53B) is a canonical example, but it could be anything, even household items that catch their fancy); you throw it, the cat speeds after it, catches it, and brings it back to your feet. They will also bat around such toys by themselves. Cats have a strong predatory instinct and mostly love to play, so I wonder why people find this behaviour rare—IME it’s not— even if it’s true not 100% of cats enjoy this specific activity. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/13 "2019-12-10T00:23:29Z")
I once had a kitten who loved to play fetch, but only with colored bottle caps. If she was returning one and dropped it beyond my reach, she’d move it closer with her paw. That was only one cat. The others I’ve had could only occasionally be bothered to bring things back. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/14 "2019-12-10T00:38:33Z")
Had a cat that played fetch, came up with it on his own as far as I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/15 "2019-12-10T00:43:36Z")
Normal Cat Behavior. Your words are strange to us. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/16 "2019-12-10T00:50:01Z")
Yes, I’ve had multiple cats that did this. I also had a cat that would come when I whistled. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/17 "2019-12-10T00:55:38Z")
My last cat would play fetch. He liked those plastic rings from milk jugs. I would throw it, he’d chase after it, bat it around the wood floors, carry it around for a while but eventually bring it back and drop it at my feet or in my lap for me to throw again. If he came back and meowed at me, it meant he’d batted it somewhere he couldn’t reach. Then we ‘d go hunt for it and he would guide me to where he lost it. I miss that cat a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/18 "2019-12-10T06:08:02Z")
At least two of my cats have played fetch on occasion. I’ve found that unlike dogs, cats never fall for the old “fake throw” trick. Cats always keep their eye on the ball. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/19 "2019-12-10T08:25:11Z")
The smartist dog I ever had loved a ball. Especially nerf type balls. I would toss it and she would fly and hit it with her nose. Sometimes she’d get 3 in row before it flew away from her. But she never really fetched it back to me. She’d play on her own with it awhile and bring in the house when she was done. She never destroyed these balls like most dogs do with a nerf ball. I think I’m gonna teach the Siamese to play ball. How hard could it be, really? (:)) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602/20 "2019-12-10T08:46:13Z")
We had a Chartreux that loved to play fetch. He loved pine cones for some reason (even though he was strictly an indoor cat) and would walk around with them in his mouth mrowing (even though that breed is usually rather quiet) like they were his baby. He would put his pine cone in his water dish for a little while as if he were letting it get a drink. He would bring his pine cone to you and plop it on the floor and wait for you to throw it. Then he’d fetch it and bring it back. He’d do this about 10 times before he got sick of it. He also went completely crazy for watermelon. If we cut open a fresh watermelon he’d be bouncing off the walls and making this crazy chirping sound until we gave him a slice. It was hilarious watching him pull the seeds off his tongue with his paw. My cousin has a Bombay who also loves to fetch. Cats is nutz! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-normal-cat-behavior/844602.md?page=2)