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A grinning grandpa in suspenders tosses a yellow tennis ball across the backyard as a white Persian cat watches it fly. 25 / 36

Grandpa Tried Teaching a Persian Cat to Play Fetch. It Went Better Than Anyone Thought.

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Fetch is usually a dog's game, but nobody told Grandpa Gus. Standing in the middle of the backyard lawn with a wide grin, he flicks a bright yellow tennis ball into the air with an easy underhand toss. Pearl sits in the grass just below, her blue-grey eyes locked onto the ball as it sails past, her whole fluffy body tensed with interest. A second ball lies in the grass near Gus's feet, evidence that this game has been going on for a while. A wooden fence, a folding lawn chair, a potted plant, and a watering can fill out the cozy backyard behind them.

Some cats really do learn to play fetch, and it's a better match for their instincts than many people expect. Chasing and retrieving a moving object taps into the same drive that makes cats pounce on toys. Lightweight balls, crinkle balls, and small plush toys tend to work best, since a heavy tennis ball can be a lot for a cat to carry. Short play sessions spread throughout the day suit most cats better than one long game. Regular play also helps indoor cats get exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and burn off energy that might otherwise go into mischief. Persians are generally calm and not especially high energy, so gentle, low-pressure games like this are a great fit.

Pearl may or may not bring that ball back. Either way, Gus has found a game that gets both of them outside, moving, and smiling, which is really the whole point.

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