Why exercise is important for your cat

Everyone knows that dogs need daily exercise in order to thrive, yet most of us tend to overlook the needs of cats. We know that letting our cat outside is dangerous both for them and for resident wildlife, but short of strapping a leash on our cats and trying to make them go for a stroll, how can cats get enough exercise? Here are 3 quick tips.

Play with your cat

While your cat may not be motivated to follow you dociley for a walk, most of them are quite pleased to bat at a feather stick or chase a laser pointer. Aim to play with your cat for at least 15 minutes every day. This will help give them exercise and encourage them to move more.

Don’t forget to let your cat successfully “kill” the toy every once in a while. You may end up having to replace them a little sooner as they bite and kick it, but it’s more satisfying to the cat and will encourage them to play more.

Add new heights to your game

Consider installing cat trees, cat shelves, and other climbing surfaces for your pet. Climbing will help your cat exercise, give them more area to roam, and also make playtime more engaging for you both. If you want to really go all out, you can build your cat a catio. This outdoor space will give your cat the chance to go outside safely, while also protecting wildlife.

Once again adding height and levels to the catio will help make the cat more likely to exercise while it’s in there.

Make them work for their food

If your cat really isn’t motivated to play, you can also help them get more exercise by making getting their food a challenge. Break their meals up into smaller amounts and place those portions several feet apart, so you’re cat has to move around to get them.

If your cat gets treats, hide them instead of handing them out. Once your cat figures out they’re hidden, he’ll spend some time roaming the house searching. This not only encourages exercise, but also provides enrichment.

If your cat likes to use his brain, a puzzle toy might also be an option. Puzzle toys dispense treats only when they are manipulated in a certain way. If your cat guesses right, he gets some food. If he doesn’t, he’ll have to try something new.

This can help slow down their meals as well, making them enjoy their meal time a little bit longer.

Leash train your pet

Although we mentioned earlier many cats aren’t wild about being leash trained, some are. Leash training takes time and patience, but it may be worth it in your cat’s case. Always use a harness when walking your pet, and introduce the leash very slowly.

Your cat probably won’t walk alongside you in the same way a dog does, but he may enjoy wandering around smelling the bushes, and that’s exercise too.

Cats need exercise to stay healthy. These tips can all help your pet get there in a way you and your pet both enjoy.