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A smiling grandma holds out a yellow tennis ball in a grassy backyard as a seal point Ragdoll cat leaps up to reach it. 24 / 24

Everyone Says Cats Don't Play Fetch. Grandma Ruth Held Up the Tennis Ball Anyway.

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Fetch is not supposed to be a cat game, but nobody told Willow. In the middle of a wide grassy backyard, Grandma Ruth holds a fuzzy yellow tennis ball just out of reach, grinning as the Ragdoll springs up on her hind legs with blue eyes locked on the prize. Willow's fluffy tail sweeps out behind her for balance. A clothesline with laundry, a blue water bowl, a few potted herbs, and a tall wooden fence frame the playful scene.

Plenty of cats can learn to fetch, and Ragdolls are among the breeds often described as playful and people-focused enough to enjoy it. The trick is to follow the cat's lead. Many cats start by chasing and carrying a small toy on their own, and rewarding that with praise or a treat when they bring it back can turn it into a game. Small, light toys like crinkle balls or soft pom-poms are usually easier for a cat to carry than a full-size tennis ball. Short play sessions a couple of times a day help keep indoor cats fit and mentally stimulated, and ending with a small treat mimics the natural hunt, catch, and eat rhythm cats enjoy.

Whether Willow ever returns the ball is another question. For today, the leap alone is a win, and Ruth is clearly having just as much fun.

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