It’s pretty widely known that dogs love to play fetch — especially if you take a break in a big grassy park mid-walk. But have you ever asked the question why? It turns out dogs, and to a lesser degree cats, naturally love playing fetch because of their ancient predatory instincts.

Fetching Behavior

Fetching is a common and well-documented play activity between dogs and humans. Many dogs have been selectively bred to assist in retrieving prey during hunts. Which may explain the high prevalence of this behavior. Despite the prominence of fetching in dog training and behavior, research addressing this activity in dogs has been relatively scarce.

To address this gap, a research team collaborated with University of Pennsylvania researcher James Serpell to develop survey tools assessing dog and cat behavior. These surveys included questions about breed, age, and living environment. Additionally, behaviors such as predatory instincts, sociability, activity level, and fearfulness, with specific inquiries about fetching.

The analysis of survey data from thousands of cat and dog owners revealed that fetching was more common in cats than previously anticipated. Approximately 40% of cat owners reported their cats occasionally or regularly engaged in this behavior. Compared to the nearly 78% of dogs were reported to fetch.

Findings

The study also found that male animals were more likely to fetch in both species. Older animals and those with health issues were less likely to engage in this behavior. Additionally, dogs living with other dogs were less likely to engage. Breeds known for their responsiveness to human commands and interest in toys, such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers, were likelier to fetch. Conversely, hounds and livestock guard dogs were less inclined to engage in fetching.

The Origins of Fetching Behavior

Fetching behavior in both cats and dogs is rooted in their hunting instincts. Cats are stalk-and-rush hunters, while dogs are pursuit predators that chase prey over longer distances. Breeding has altered the typical predatory behavior sequence in dogs, with breeds developed for increased “chase” or “grab-bite” behaviors, such as pointers and retrievers, showing a higher propensity for fetching.

Both species also exhibit behaviors where they carry prey away from the kill site, which may contribute to the development of fetching. Despite cats often being perceived as aloof, recent studies have shown that they can form strong attachments to humans, pick up social cues, and even recognize their owners’ voices.

While cats and dogs have different hunting techniques and play styles, it is charming that they share the fetching behavior. This shared activity might be the key to bridging the so-called rivalry between cats and dogs. We sure think so.

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