Yes you can teach your cat to fetch. You will find that cats enjoy fetching as much as dogs once you start training them. In fact you have an advantage when teaching your cat to fetch. Cats love to pounce, jump, chase things and just generally love to play. If you don't joined them they will playfully occupy themselves. To have them fetch and do tricks you will have to spend time playing with them but it can happen pretty fast as soon as they get the idea that this is a great game. Here are some tips to get your cat to fetch,
Don't try to teach your cat,
The rule of thumb when training cats to fetch is not to train it! If you force the issue you will end up being disappointed and frustrated. Get down to your cats level and start by throwing little things that catches your cat's eye. Don't expect miracles right away, it will take some time and patience. Watch your cat's movements as you interact with it. Always use praise and lots of it.
Paper will be more useful than play toys,
You can spend as much as you like on toys for your cat but a crumpled up piece of paper works wonders. The paper makes a crinkling noise which will certainly get your cats attention. It is light weight and can be picked up by your cat with ease. Roll it into a ball and by now you should be getting your cat's full attention. Roll the paper quickly and with enthusiasm while talking to your kitty.
Play with the paper yourself,
Take the paper and roll it between your hands with enough force that the paper makes a noise. This will be making a noise that will get your cat very interested. This is when you can play on your cat's curiosity. Has soon as you start rolling that paper your cat will come to see where the noise is coming from. If you don't want to use paper try to avoid using anything with catnip. You will not get their full attention if they smell catnip.
Now it's time for the first lesson.
While still rolling the paper slowly place it on the floor and give it a little nudge. Your cat will respond by pouncing on it. This is a good sign. Whirl your paper around in a circle and keep your cats attention. The second time you let it go you may not get it back your cat may start batting it around the room but this is what you want. Another trick that may work for you is attach the paper to a long string and throw it. Pull it back slowly until the cat reaches you. there is a little draw back with this method. When i tried this with our cat she opted to play with the string but its worth a try.
First lesson accomplished,
If your cat has claimed the paper and is in the throes of having fun with it your fist lesson is successful. You have gotten your cats attention and he/she has been introduced to the paper ball. If you want to test this try waiting for about an hour and take a new piece of paper, start crumpling it and see how long it takes your cat to react by running right to you. They should be there in a few seconds.
Repeat the first lesson. You have to give this time so repeat the crumpling of paper and spend some time playing with your cat. If they want to take it and roll it around by themselves for a while let them do it. The more they play with the paper the most they get use to the texture and know that the sound of paper means fun.
Now it's time to change the rules,
By now you should have had a few sessions playing with your cat and the paper but you have to start adding a few more things now. Throw the paper a little further away from you. If your cat takes the paper to play, get up and retrieve the paper again. Bring it back to your original spot and throw it again. Repeat this as many times as it takes. Don't forget that each time you pick up the paper to roll it in your hands. By now the cat should be aware of the sound and follow you.
Repeat the paper throw often,
Repeat throwing the paper over and over if your cat becomes bored take the paper off the floor and place it where the cat can't get it. After enough time has passed start the crumpling sound by rolling the paper again. Your cat will appear, it can't help the curiosity that is instinctual. Throw the paper and if the cat doesn't return it go get it again.
The breakthrough,
When you have repeated the throw often enough stay sitting on the floor but when you throw don't go and retrieve it. Remember up to now your cat is use to you getting the paper. You should see a difference in your cat by it sitting and looking at you waiting for you to go get it. When this dosen't happens you may notice your cat batting the paper back towards you. Let your cat come as close as possible before you touch the paper. When you pick the paper up throw it again the cat will probably do the same routine to get it back to you.
When you feel confident that the cat wants you joining in the play throw the paper further, a lot further you. You will soon find that your cat will be bringing back the paper in their mouth to keep you in the game. Don't forget praise when this is accomplished although your cat is maybe anxious to get on with the game.
Summary,
This really does work we had a cat that loved scrunched up tin foil and no matter what part of the house the cat was in it would come running at the sound of tin foil. Cats are smarter than you think and there are two traits you can count on to be in your favor, curiosity and playfulness. You have time, patience and love for your cat to teach it. This is a powerful team when teaching your cat to fetch.