Both cats and dogs fetch, but the likely function(s) of this behavior for each species have not been compared. In this study, we assessed data from online surveys of cat and dog behavior (Fe-BARQ; C-BARQ) completed by cat (N = 8224) and dog owners (N = 73724). We assessed responses to the items "Plays ‘fetch’; likes to retrieve thrown objects or toys" (Fe-BARQ) and “Will ʻfetchʼ or attempt to fetch sticks, balls, or objects” (C-BARQ). Cats and dogs described as "sometimes," "usually" or "always" fetching were categorized as fetchers. Regression models were used to examine which animal-related (e.g., sex, age) and environmental factors best predicted fetching, and chi-square tests were used to explore the effect of breed on fetching behavior. Fetching was reported in 40.9% of cats and 77.8% of dogs. In cats, fetching was correlated with play and activity. In dogs, fetching was correlated with overall trainability. In both cats and dogs, being female, older, living with (other) dogs, and having health problems decreased the likelihood of fetching. Breed effects were observed in both species, with fetching more prominent in cat breeds originating in the Far East (e.g., Burmese, Siamese, and Tonkinese) and in dog breeds from the Retriever, UK Rural, Poodle, Pointer and Spaniel clades. We discuss the results in the context of domestication history of both cats and dogs and posit several hypotheses about why fetching behavior is observed in both.

Fetching appears to be largely spontaneous in the domestic cat. Forman et al. found that only around 6% of cats who fetch were trained to do so. The extent to which dogs are trained to fetch is also unknown but is likely much higher. This study did not distinguish trained from spontaneous fetchers in either species. Future studies could explore the effects of human training on fetching behavior.

Conclusions

Fetching is observed in both cats and dogs, and at higher rates in cats than previously reported (40.9%). Some fetching was observed in most breeds of cats and dogs, although some breeds were more likely to fetch than others. Fetching was more prominent in cat breeds originating in the Far East and in dog breeds from the Retriever, UK Rural, Poodle, Pointer and Spaniel clades. We have proposed multiple hypotheses and open questions for future research as to why fetching behavior may be observed in both companion species, despite their different domestication histories.