Keeping Kitty Fit

Cats are notoriously sleepy little furballs. Fluffy can spend as much as 20 hours a day sleeping. And while kitties are pretty active and playful when they’re young, they slow down as they age, and eventually become adorable little couch potatoes. Like any other pet, cats need proper activity to stay healthy. But how do you get your feline buddy to exercise? Here, a Dutchess County, NY vet offers some advice on keeping kitties fit.

Toys

Playing is Fluffy’s main workout, and it’s a good one. Running, jumping, and pouncing are all great ways to get your furry little friend moving. Offer your kitty lots of fun toys to push under the couch!

Furniture

Kitties are very curious by nature, which is one of their most endearing traits. (This can also be a bit dangerous, but that’s another topic.) Give Fluffy some furniture to climb and explore. Cat towers are great, as they can double as jungle gyms. However, Fluffy may also enjoy playing in things like newspaper tunnels.

Playtime

Toys are great, but Fluffy will find playtime much more exciting if it’s a challenge. Take a few minutes a day to hold a laser pointer or wand toy for her. Even a few minutes of chasing that elusive red dot can give your furry pal a great workout!

Trickery

You won’t have much luck getting Fluffy to run laps around the dining room. However, you probably can get her to move a bit. Every now and then, toss a toy or a crumpled-up piece of paper down the hall. She’ll probably run right after it, just out of curiosity. Every little bit helps!

Walking

This one isn’t going to be right for everyone. If your furball has never been outdoors, it’s best just to let sleeping cats lie. However, if Fluffy was once an outdoor kitty, and/or is extremely bold and curious, she may enjoy going for strolls. Ask your vet for advice on this, including training tips and safety precautions.

Playmates

Another thing you might want to consider is getting your kitty a playmate. Of course, this is a big decision: you’ll need to consider both cats’ ages, histories, and personalities, as well as your household, budget, and other pets. That said, if all lights are green, go for it!

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