...
By Maria Azzurra Volpe
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A video of a cat playing fetch went viral on social media after her owner shared the most heartbreaking part of seeing her have such a good time with her little ball, leaving users across TikTok in tears.
The clip, shared earlier this month by @beckythecurl, shows the tabby cat, Rebecca, also known as Becky, having the best time playing fetch with her mom, bringing the glittery ball right back just like a dog.
"Thinking about how much she loves to play fetch and while she was at the shelter nobody probably played with her," reads layover text in the clip. A caption says: "All day everyday is fetch time."
Read More on Pets
Fetch is a favorite game for dog owners, but did you know that cats can play, too? Because of their hunting nature, many cats naturally know how to retrieve. In fact, it's not uncommon for them to bring prey home after hunting.
Even the cats who don't know how to play can easily learn. A Catster article medically reviewed by Dr. Paola Cuevas details the easiest way to teach your cat this fun game in a few simple steps.
Picking the right time and place is the crucial when trying to fetch train your cat. A confined space with few distractions like a hallway, would be ideal so your feline doesn't get distracted by the environment around them.
It's also important to choose a time when your cat is alert and playful, because they will most likely not be interested in play at nap time. If treats are your reward of choice, then you should consider playing shortly before mealtime.
Choosing the right reward, whether it's food, toys or cuddles, it's also very important, as that's what will motivate the pet to learn.
Initially, you should reward your cat for their interest in the toy, and then for picking it up. Eventually, once your cat has learned how to reliably pick up the toy, you'll want to wait until they come to you to reward them.
Keep games short, between five and 15 minutes, and gradually increase the distance as they advance their skills.
...
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received more than 157,800 views and 56,100 likes on the platform.
One user, Punki, commented: "Why would u make me cry like that, I hope [your] playing fetch more than she needs."
Ashh said: "My cat wakes me up ready to play fetch."
Mj added: "My cat doesn't fetch just wants me to throw the toy then runs over to it, smells it, then looks at me to go get it and throw it again."
Newsweek reached out to @beckythecurl for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines