Dogs often play fetch with balls, frisbees, or plush toys, and cats might enjoy it too without needing training. British researchers conducted a study involving over 1,000 cat owners to learn about their cats' play preferences. The majority, 94.4% of cats, instinctively played fetch from a young age, returning toys or household items. Cats tend to prefer having control over this game, and those that initiated it showed more enthusiasm and engaged in it more frequently.

Gemma Forman, a researcher from the University of Sussex and co-author of the study published in Nature, highlighted that this sense of control can benefit the cats' well-being and their relationship with their owners. The researchers encouraged owners to consider their cats' play preferences, noting that cats may have unique ways of playing fetch. They also urged owners to think about activities that would keep their cats happy and active.