Keeping cats active is a little bit more difficult than keeping other pets active, like dogs. If your cat is indoor only, you might feel like there isn’t a lot of room for your cat to move around. But that doesn’t mean they can’t maintain an active lifestyle.
Cats need exercise just like humans do, and for all the same reasons. Physical health is important to a long, happy life. There are many ways to safely provide enough exercise for your cat and encourage an active life.
#1 – Go For A Walk
If you live in a relatively safe neighborhood (no risk of loose, aggressive dogs, coyotes or other predators) and your cat can comfortably be trained to walk on a leash, taking your cat for a walk is one of the most enjoyable things you can do. Cats love to be outside, but allowing them to roam free outdoors comes with risks. Most cats can learn to enjoy walking on a leash and harness using treats, and they especially start to love it when you take them outside. This provides them the opportunity to explore the grass, trees, bushes and sunshine in a safe, controlled way.
#2 – Play More
We can give our cats as many toys as we like, but it’s important for us to get involved in playtime, too. Playing with our cats is an excellent way to strengthen the bond between you both and offers your cat both physical and mental exercise. Whatever your cat’s favorite toy is, playing with them allows them to channel their inner hunter and chase, pounce, bite and scratch in a healthy, safe way. Some cats even enjoy playing a game of fetch, which is great exercise, too!
#3 – Get Creative
Not everyone wants to see a classic cat tree in their home, but there are many creative ways to offer more space for your cat to roam inside without the use of bulky feline furniture. That’s not to say cat trees are a bad idea, as they offer a great source of exercise. But cat shelves, feline habitrails, unique climbs and even outdoor kennel runs are great ways to offer your cat the ability to stretch their legs, jump, climb and explore the world around them – even if it’s within the comfort of your home. Cats enjoy climbing and perching, so the more space they have to do it, the more active they will be.