Yes, cats need exercise too. As humans, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to negative effects on physical and mental health. However, determining how much exercise your cat needs depends on your cat. Here’s why cats need exercise and how to get them the resources they need.
How much exercise do cats need per day?
Cats generally need about 30 minutes of exercise a day to stay healthy and happy. However, this can vary depending on the cat’s age, breed, lifestyle, and individual personality. Some cats may be satisfied with short bursts of activity, while others may need more intense play or structured exercise.
All cats sleep a lot, but kittens typically nap for 18 to 22 hours a day and tend to stay active even when awake. Most kittens have high energy levels and need an hour or more of exercise each day. The good news is that if you provide enough toys and games, your kitten will likely play enough to get the exercise it needs.
In the wild, cats move naturally by hunting and playing (which is just hunting practice). Because of this, cats with outdoor access usually have more exercise than indoor cats. However, your indoor cat can still get the exercise it needs through environmental enrichment, even if space is limited in your home.
Why Importance Cat Exercise?
Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for cats, helping to keep them physically and mentally fit and promoting overall well-being.1 Encouraging exercise and play can also help prevent behavioral problems such as destructive chewing and scratching.
Cats spend a lot of time sleeping, lounging, and grooming and tend to have short bursts of energy throughout the day and night. Provide your cat with opportunities for physical exercise as well as mental stimulation through toys, scratching posts, and interactive games with people.
Physical Benefits
This can help prevent obesity and reduce the risk of related health problems such as diabetes and arthritis.2 Additionally, exercise helps maintain and build muscle tone and strength in cats.3 This may be especially important for older cats, who may be more prone to muscle loss and weakness.
Mental Benefits
Exercise provides mental stimulation for cats and helps prevent boredom, anxiety, and depression, which can lead to destructive behavior and other behavioral problems. Playtime with interactive toys or games can help keep cats mentally sharp and engaged. Regular play and activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, prevent behavioral problems, and promote social interaction with people and other pets.
5 Simple Cat Exercise Ideas
Some cats spend time playing on their own, while others are more likely to play when a human initiates the game. Cats tend to be most active at dusk and dawn, so these are great times to play with your kitty.
Try these ideas at home to encourage your cat to exercise:
Interactive Toys For Cats
Interactive cat toys, such as food puzzles and battery-operated toys, allow your cat to play without a human. Some cats will bat around small toys such as cat mice or balls, but some will lose interest if they can’t interact with the toy. Some interactive toys dispense food or have compartments to hide treats, which is great for cats motivated by food.
If your kitty needs to shed some pounds, use vet-approved low-calorie treats in these toys or consider using them with food! Making your cat work for food is a great way to help her lose weight and be mentally stimulated.
Stick toys
Stick toys are used by people to play with cats. Many cats go crazy when their human pulls out a bird on a stick or a feather. A great feature of this type of play is that it strengthens the bond between you and your cat.
Cat trees
Cat trees provide cats with outdoor adventure while staying safe indoors. They can climb, scratch, lie down and stretch for hours. It’s also a great way to socialize multiple cats.
She scratched
Scratching posts and mats give cats a chance to stretch, keep their nails healthy and exercise their paws. While it may not seem like exercise to us, using a scratching post is a bit like cat yoga.
Training wheels
If your kitty likes to run and you have the space, an exercise wheel can be quite rewarding. Make sure you buy yours from a reputable company for your cat’s safety.
Other pets in the household can be good playmates for your cat as long as they all get along. However, a playmate does not replace the enrichment of the environment and the time people connect. No matter how many pets you have, each one needs individual attention as well as toys and equipment that match their personalities.
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