Exercise for Your Cats – 5 Frequently Asked Questions You Need to Know

Posted by The Cat Hospital of Kamloops on January 20th, 2021

Just like humans, cats also need to move around and become more physically active. Just sitting or lying down can bring about a lot of health issues.

Not all cats will behave the same way, so their exercise needs might not be the same. Here are a few frequently asked questions you need to know to understand this topic more:

1. How much exercise do cats typically need?

It depends on the cat. If you have an indoor cat, a lot of exercise might be needed. However, if your cat spends most of his or her time playing outside, you probably don’t need to do anything to get them to exercise more as they are already getting a lot of physical activity. Ideally, your cat should have at least 30 minutes of exercise.

2. What happens if cats don’t get enough exercise?

Just like humans, cats can also succumb to obesity if they don’t get enough exercise. They won’t be able to burn off all the calories that they are consuming and this can cause them to gain more weight. There could be problems with their cardiovascular health as well.

3. How do I encourage my indoor cat to get more exercise?

Some cats might just sleep all day when they are not motivated to exercise. You would want to set a playtime for your cats. Buy toys where they can run around and climb. Having a cat tower is good for indoor cats. It gives them a chance to climb and exercise. You might want to place the cat tower near a window so they can see the outside world more.

Take your cat out for a walk as well. You can buy a leash for cats if you are worried that your cat will get lost. The walk will be good for you as well.

Another thing that you can do is invest in a treadmill. If you already have one, you can encourage your cat to spend a few minutes running or walking on it. This is good as well if you can’t go out to have a walk.

You can place a treat on the treadmill so your cat will hop on it.

4. Should you encourage elderly cats to exercise as well?

Exercise can also benefit aging cats. If they just sit or lie around all day, they could end up suffering from a stroke and can also suffer from stiff joints.

It’s a good idea to go to a Kamloops vet to understand more about the exercise needs of your cats. A vet in Kamloops will assess the age and level of fitness of your pet and determine the right exercises that will suit your pet.

If you are looking for a Kamloops vet, you can check out The Cat Hospital of Kamloops.

Adam Carey is the author of this article. For more details about Cat Boarding Services Kamloops please visit our website: thecathospital.ca