We have a cat that came from the breeder knowing how to play fetch. But more than that, he’s also very energetic and we don’t always have the time to play with him. One day I was particularly lazy, and instead of throwing stuff around the house I was just tossing the ball to him high in the air. Not only did he get that we were now playing “catch”, but later on I found him gripping the ball in his mouth and “flicking” it up in the air. Now, when he knows we can’t play with him, he essentially plays catch with himself.