Cats and dogs both have a knack for playing fetch, much to the delight of their human friends.
An online survey exploring pet owner behaviors revealed some surprising insights: around 40% of cats and nearly 80% of dogs enjoy retrieving objects, particularly among younger and healthier male pets.
This fascinating study, led by Mikel Delgado from Purdue University, was published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on September 4, 2024.
While fetching is primarily associated with dogs, it’s clear that many cats are also drawn to this playful activity.
Survey Insights
The research examined data from surveys conducted online between 2015 and 2023, involving both cat (Felis catus) and dog (Canis familiaris) owners.
Out of over 8,000 cat owners surveyed, a significant 41% reported that their felines would fetch toys or items occasionally, often, or even always.
This figure demonstrates a notable increase from previous assumptions about cat behavior.
Active and playful cats, particularly those living indoors, show a greater propensity for fetching, with breeds like Burmese, Siamese, and Tonkinese particularly eager to join in the fun.
Fetching in Dogs
On the dog side of things, nearly 74,000 dog owners participated in the same survey.
An impressive 78% revealed that their dogs engage in fetching activities.
Interestingly, dogs that are inclined to fetch often excel in trainability assessments.
Breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and English Cocker Spaniels are especially predisposed to this playful behavior.
It’s worth noting that fetching tends to be less common among female dogs, older pets, and those facing health challenges.
Behavior and Instinct
This research underscores the link between fetching and instinctual hunting behaviors, suggesting that these actions stem more from playfulness than from predation.
The domestication process may play a significant role in this, as it appears to have allowed many juvenile behaviors, like fetching, to persist into adulthood.
The authors of the study express a clear interest in the prevalence of fetching among both cats and dogs, hinting at the need for further research into how this behavior influences play, hunting instincts, and social dynamics among our beloved pets.
Source: ScienceDaily