How to make sure your indoor cat is getting enough exercise

You may wonder if your indoor cat is too sedentary or worry that it doesn’t have enough motivation or opportunity to exercise. While it’s true that outdoor cats may have some advantages in this area, there are many things you can do at home to increase your pet’s activity level.

According to the Florida SPCA, a lack of exercise in cats “can cause obesity…which may lead to diabetes, arthritis, or breathing problems”. So, while cats are known to be solitary creatures, it may be beneficial to get a bit more involved in your cat’s day-to-day life to help increase its activity level. Read on for some ideas on how to get your cat moving!

PetMD suggests spending between 10 and 15 minutes a few times a day engaging your cat in activity to ensure optimal physical and psychological wellbeing. How difficult it is to coax your furry friend into exercise will vary depending on the age and temperament of your cat, and it might take a bit of experimenting to see which methods work best.

Old reliable

Start by engaging your cat with a toy they have always liked, like a favourite toy mouse, bouncy ball or bit of string. While you may find that it’s difficult to keep your cat engaged for more than 20 seconds at a time, don’t give up! This is where trial and error comes in: you may have to switch out the toy or the method. Try throwing or shaking the ball or mouse more vigorously, or sneakily pulling the piece of string around a corner and out of your cat’s eyesight. Try to stick with this for 10 or 15 minutes; you may find that your pet takes a little time to warm up and get really engaged in play.

Create a more rugged living room

What cats enjoy most about the outdoors is the unpredictable environment that engages all of their senses and keeps them on their toes. So, to bring a bit of the outdoors inside, try switching up the elevations in your living room by incorporating a cat tower or different sized boxes or other objects to give your cat that sense of exploration that it may be missing. You could also consider incorporating some bird sounds or “cat music” into your play routine to further engage your cat’s senses and give it a taste of the outdoors.

Take your cat on a guided nature walk

Finally, if you are still finding it difficult to get your cat engaged in activity indoors, consider buying a collar and taking your feline friend for a walk in the yard. You may find that your pet is a bit overwhelmed at first, so give it some time to adjust to the new and exciting environment. This taste of fresh air might be just what the (cat) doctor ordered to get your house dweller feeling more engaged and playful.

With a bit of planning and dedication, your cat should start experiencing the benefits of regular exercise in no time, and you might increase your step count too!

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