20 Jan 2024

Jemma Forman: Can cats play fetch?

From The Weekend , 10:30 am on 20 January 2024

Jemma Forman: Can cats play fetch?

Cats have a reputation for being aloof and difficult to bond with - yet research suggests they will engage in games of fetch. However, there is a catch. It is found that although they will play fetch without being trained, cats tend to play by their own rules. What does this mean? That they'll only fetch when they want to and only for specific people.

Jemma Forman is a PHD student at the University of Sussex. She conducted research into catch fetching behaviour alongside academics from the University of Northumbria.

She joins Susana Lei'ataua on The Weekend to discuss the findings and whether it's possible to truly understand our feline companions. You can stay updated on Jemma's future research into cat behaviour on the University of Sussex website

Portrait of a cat (Photo by Eric Guilloret / Biosphoto / Biosphoto via AFP)

Photo: ERIC GUILLORET