Did you know that cats can sleep as much as 20 hours daily? That’s pretty impressive. Fluffy gets more shuteye than almost any other animal on the planet. Only some bats, possums, and teenagers actually sleep more. There is both good and bad about your pet’s predilection for napping. On the plus side, it does make her easy to care for. However, kitties do need some sort of activity to stay healthy. Read on as a local Severn, MD vet offers some tips on keeping your cat in shape.
How Do I Keep My Cat Fit?
You probably won’t get too far trying to get Fluffy to run laps around the kitchen. You can try putting her on a treadmill, but she’s more likely to sleep on it than start jogging. (Though one adorable kitty did give this workout her all. The viral video of the floofer running to Maniac is adorable, and is definitely worth looking up.)
Your best bet is offering toys and playtime.
Fluffy’s intuitions will work in your favor here. Cats are natural predators, so they are instinctively driven to run after things. (They are also instinctively driven to pounce on our toes and bat at our shoelaces, but that’s another topic.) Taking a few minutes a day to hold a wand toy or laser pointer for Fluffy can go a long way as far as keeping her fit and in shape.
Here are some tips for playing with Fluffy:
Time It Right
Kitties are by nature crepuscular, which means that they are most active at dusk and dawn. Playing with Fluffy in the mornings and evenings is probably going to be most effective. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. You can actually play with your cat any time you like!
Short And Sweet
Our feline pals don’t have a whole lot of stamina or endurance. They’re more built for short bursts of energy, which they recuperate from by spending the rest of their time napping, meditating, judging us, and plotting world domination.
This also comes into play in summer. To be fair, cats do spend lots of energy in a short time when hunting. However, Fluffy doesn’t really have many effective ways to cool off again if she gets too tired. Panting isn’t as effective for her as it is for dogs, and she can only sweat through her paw pads. Kitties probably figured out a long time ago that it’s in their best interests to err on the side of laziness. (They’ve also convinced us to pretty much wait on them hand and paw, so there’s that.)
Don’t Worry About Overdoing It
This is one area where dogs and cats are quite different. Fido will push himself to the brink of exhaustion to please his humans. Fluffy may be fond of you, but she isn’t going to drive herself that hard for your sake.
You won’t have to worry about your feline pal getting too tired. As soon as she gets the least bit fatigued, she’ll just quit playing and wander off in search of her next sunbeam or napping spot.
Why Is Kitty Fitness Important?
Staying in shape is just as important for cats as it is for us, and for similar reasons. Regular activity is great for your feline pal’s muscles, bones, and heart. It’s also the best way to prevent feline obesity, which is one of the biggest collective health threats to these adorable furballs. In fact, about 63 percent of pet kitties are, well, on the chubby side. That may sound cute, bu it’s actually quite dangerous. Those extra pounds can cause many of the same issues in cats as they can in people.
Some of these include the following:
- Weakened Immune System
- Endocrine And Metabolic Disorders
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Skin Issues
- Reproductive Problesm
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Hypertension
- Osteoarthritis
- Urinary Bladder Stones
- Anesthetic Complications
How Do I Play With My Cat?
That really depends on what you and your furry pal like. You can always go with classics, such as holding a laser pointer or string toy. This sort of interactive play is great. It’s much more fun and more challenging for Fluffy if she doesn’t know what her ‘prey’ is going to do next. This is also great for bonding, as your furry friend will know that you are doing something just for her.
Here are other things you can try:
- Fetch (Some cats do fetch!)
- Remote-controlled toys
- Smart toys
- Trickery (Just toss a toy or ball down the hall. Your pet is pretty likely to run after it)
How Else Can I Keep My Cat Fit?
Playing is Fluffy’s favorite workout, but it’s not the only option. You can also get your pet an exercise wheel. These are a lot like the smaller ones you may see for hamsters and gerbils, except that they’re kitty-sized.
It’s also a good idea to get your feline pal some kitty furniture. Cat towers are great because they encourage Fluffy to run, jump, and climb.
Another thing you can do? Trick your pet into running! Just toss one of her toys down the hall. You can also do this with a crumpled-up paper ball. Chances are, your furry pal will run after it just out of sheer curiosity.
If you have a bold, adventurous kitty, you can even try taking your cat for walks. There are a few caveats here, though. First and foremost: don’t force this on a cat that is shy, or one that has never been outdoors. If Fluffy seems content with the indoor life, it’s probably best to just leave things be.
Make sure your feline pal has a comfy harness. You’ll need to train her to wear it indoors, and let her get used to it before taking her outside. You also would want to make sure that your kitty has been fixed and microchipped before taking her out. Be sure to ask your Severn, MD vet for training and safety tips.
Why Is My Cat Attacking Me?
This is one area where kitties can get a bit complicated. Fluffy is a predator by nature, so she is naturally going to want to master the use of all those claws and teeth. This is, of course, fun for her, but it’s also good for her both mentally and physically.
However, some kitties get a bit too enthusiastic, and may not realize that it’s not polite to practice their murder skills on their humans. It’s very easy to instill bad habits in kittens. After all, there are few things more adorable than a tiny feline hard at play! Just keep in mind that this sort of behavior won’t be cute in adult cats.
If your pet attacks you, immediately stop playing. Say ‘No’ in a firm tone of voice, and then ignore her for a while. You can also try saying ‘No claws’ or ‘Don’t bite!’ Most kitties will get the hint sooner or later.
Contact our Severn, MD Pet Clinic To Make An Appointment
Do you have questions about your cat’s health or care? Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. As your Severn, MD pet hospital, we are here for you!
