Exercise guidelines for a healthy cat

Excercise is important for a healthy cat

Your cat was built to move—to scratch, jump, pounce, climb, and stalk. But some pets have fallen into bad habits, and seem to do little more than catnap in between re-fillings of the food dish. If this sounds like your cat, it's time for some supervised fun and games. Not only will daily exercise keep your pet physically fit and mentally healthy, it helps channel aggressive and mischievous behavior. Regular activity also burns up calories, increases muscle mass (helps them burn calories even at rest) and improves cardiovascular strength.

Start your cat exercise slowly

No matter what you choose, always start off with short sessions. Although you want to get her heart beating, respect your cat's wishes. If she starts panting and needs to rest during a vigorous session, she's telling you she's had enough. They are designed for short spurts of intensive activity, not marathons.

You can also provide your pet with things to do while you're away. Consider constructing a set of portable stairs that lead up to your cat's favorite windowsill or vantage point. These stairs can be as simple as stacked-up books or boxes. Carpeted cat trees can meet a cat's needs for scratching, climbing, and jumping. Be sure to leave your kitty with her favorite ball to bat and chase when you're gone; a ping pong ball is perfect as it can't be swallowed and doesn't have small parts that could be eaten.

Benefits of cat exercise

Experts advise that exercise has an important side benefit. Boredom coupled with insufficient activity can spell bad health news for many a feline. Does your cat think the middle of the night is the perfect time for zooming through the house or investigating your fine breakables? Interactive toys and play sessions during the day will help tire her out. By creating artificial prey—that is, offering appropriate toys—you can help keep her trim and healthy as well as channel aggression appropriately, and safely.

If circumstances permit, and you can make sure your feline friend does not run away, give her time outside every day. A fenced yard or even portable caged run will work. She will love to romp in the grass, try her skill at climbing a tree, investigating all the bugs, and dreaming about catching a bird. Give your cat as much nature as possible—food, air, water, sun, exercise—and nature will reward you with her good health and long life.