Cat Healthcare Guide.

Fitness and Exercise

Cats will generally get enough exercise when they are outside through hunting, climbing and jumping. Indoor cats will tend to get less exercise than the outdoor cats as they stay in an enclosed area but this does not mean that exercise is out of the question. There are now activity centres for both kittens and cats that include climbing areas and toys to play with to stimulate usual hunting behaviour.

You can also play games with your cat such as throwing a ball of rolled up paper for it to chase. There is no guarantee that the paper will be returned to you but another ball of paper will usually attract your cat's attention while you collect the original ready to throw again. This game uses the cat's hunting instincts as well as exercising the muscles and joints. The same game can be played using your hand or foot as the target but please be careful when doing this because cats can get carried away sometimes leading to nasty scratches.

Manufacturers now make toys such as Kongs which are hollow but with holes so they can be filled with food or treats. Your cat can then play with it and hunt at the same time as it gets rewarded for the behaviour when the treats fall out. If you do this, be sure to fill the toy with food from the cat's daily ration as overfeeding can leads to your cat becoming overweight and this is a health hazard for your pet.

Disclaimer
The information contained within this website is intended as a general guide only and is not necessarily comprehensive. AXA Insurance will not be liable for loss or damages arising, in contract, tort or otherwise, directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance upon any information contained in this website. Content sourced from the RSPCA and various other animal welfare and information websites. Guidance compiled by AXA and approved by the RSPCA.