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A Siamese cat bounds forward carrying a small blue ball in its mouth as an elderly couple watch and smile in their backyard. 14 / 31

The Neighbors Said Cats Don't Play Fetch. Then Ruth Threw the Blue Ball.

AI imagesiamese catplaying fetchbackyard

Every dog owner on the block swears cats cannot play fetch. Harold and Ruth just smile. In their scruffy, lived-in backyard, Ruth stands in her green cardigan holding one small blue ball, while Miso bounds toward the camera with a second blue ball clamped proudly in his mouth. His front paw is mid-stride, his tail is up and his blue eyes are bright with purpose. Harold, in a ball cap and plaid flannel, stands right behind Ruth, grinning at the show. A clothesline full of laundry, a rosemary bush, garden pots and a wooden fence fill in the yard behind them.

Fetch is more common in cats than many people realize, and Siamese are often mentioned as one of the breeds most likely to pick it up. Their intelligence and strong bond with people make them eager to play interactive games. If your cat shows an interest in carrying toys back to you, encourage it with lightweight balls or small toys that are easy to grip but too big to swallow. Short play sessions, a few times a day, suit most cats well. Regular play also helps indoor cats stay at a healthy weight and burn off energy that might otherwise go into scratching the couch.

Ruth will toss the ball a few more times, and Miso will bring it back a few more times, right up until he decides the game is over. That decision, as always, is entirely his.

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