How Much Exercise Does Your Cat Need?
January 12, 2023
If your cat is past the kitten stage and lost that zest for fun and play that they once had, there are ways you can get them up and moving again. Anything to keep that waistline slim and trim.
Full grown cats and mature cats need about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day. This can be broken down into shorter segments, such as 10-minute intervals, throughout the day depending on your schedule.
Younger cats and kittens require much more exercise than their elders. They need a minimum of one hour to two hours of activity a day. Kittens are usually quite content to play by themselves with a ball or a toy mouse. If you have more than one cat, you might find they entertain each other and get all the exercise they need from their interplay and chasing games.
But for those older cats who are used to sleeping undisturbed all day, it might take a little prodding to get them up and moving.
You know your cat better than anyone else, so you know what kind of toy will get them interested. Are they crazy for catnip? Can they resist the allure of a simple cat-sized ball? Or do they need more stimulation? Do they respond well to interactive toys?
Here are a few suggestions to get your cat more active:
Fishing Rod Toys - these are one of the most favourite toys among cats and they go by many names, such as cat teasers, dangler toys and feather toys. As the name suggests, this is a plastic rod with an elastic string tied to one end, from which a teaser toy dangles. Some attach to the floor with suction and others come with batteries for steady movement, so your cat can amuse themselves.
These toys are so much fun to play with your cat because of the snapback-action elastic and the realistic nature of the teaser toy. They come in feather toys, ribbons and snakelike teasers.
Wind-Up Toys - you can go from simple to sophisticated with these toys. Choose from fake fur mice or real fur mice that squeak or chirp when touched. Your cat will enjoy chasing these critters around the house.
Laser Pointers - these devices will get your cat moving and jumping off the furniture. All you have to do is clear a path for them to chase the laser beam and have fun with it. Experts say that cats need the reward of the ‘catch’, so giving them an actual toy at the end of the chase will satisfy their prey drive.
Catnip Toys - is your cat crazy for catnip and can’t resist a catnip mouse? Then this one should be easy to figure out! You can also get dried catnip and place it inside a toy ball or other toy that they can chase around.
Interactive Electric Toys - give your cat physical and mental stimulation, together with the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of the catch. These toys are usually in the shape of a bird that mechanically flies around from a tethered spot. Hours of fun for your cat to jump and romp.
If your cat loves to chase or tunnel, consider setting up an obstacle course down the hallway, made up of boxes, tubes, chairs and books. It’s a great way for indoor cats to get some exercise.
The most sophisticated of all the interactive toys for cats has to be the Cat Wheel - a mechanical wheel that acts like a treadmill for your cat. It’s an expensive way to exercise your cat, but if they love it, how can you say no?
To keep your cat in good, healthy condition for their long lives, try giving them half an hour of exercise a day. It’s a great way to spend some time with your cat and bond.