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How to exercise a cat. 10 Cat Exercises Your Pet Will Enjoy

by alexxlab

How can I exercise my cat? Discover 10 effective cat exercise tips that will keep your feline friend active and engaged. Get your cat moving with these fun and easy workout ideas.

The Benefits of Exercising Your Cat

Cats may not be as eager to exercise as their canine counterparts, but regular physical activity is just as important for their health and wellbeing. Veterinarians often recommend incorporating cat workouts into your pet’s routine to promote longevity and prevent issues like obesity, muscle loss, and boredom. By providing your feline friend with ample opportunities to play and stay active, you can help them maintain their natural agility and energy well into their golden years.

Pair Up Exercise Partners

One of the easiest ways to ensure your cat gets sufficient exercise is to have them play with another feline friend. “A pair of cats who get along well will get plenty of exercise through their own wrestling and chasing games. I’ve known older cats who still wrestle like kittens,” says Dr. Jean Hofve, author and manager of LittleBigCat.com. Introducing a second cat can be easier than trying to get a single cat to play on their own, so consider adopting a companion if your current cat seems to be lacking in physical activity.

Invest in a Cat Tower

Multi-tiered “cat towers” sold in pet stores can provide your cat with endless opportunities for climbing, jumping, and exploring. Dr. Susan Nelson, an associate professor at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, suggests placing small treats in different areas of the tower to encourage your cat to move around and work for their rewards.

Provide a Variety of Toys

Cats are often more self-entertained than dogs, so having a plentiful supply of toys is key for promoting exercise. Dr. Nelson advises using everyday household objects like pingpong balls or balled-up pipe cleaners, in addition to any specialized cat toys you may have. Rotate the toys to keep your feline friend engaged and curious.

Create an Interactive “Hockey Rink”

Get creative by setting up a makeshift “hockey rink” for your cat. Place a ball in a large cardboard box or the bathtub and let your cat chase it as it ricochets off the sides. This playful activity will have your cat sprinting, pouncing, and getting a great workout.

Incorporate Laser Pointers and Wand Toys

Laser pointers can provide endless entertainment and exercise for cats, but be sure to follow up with a real toy that can be caught to avoid frustration. Wand toys with feathers, mice, or other attachments are also excellent for interactive play that gets your cat moving.

Supervised Treadmill and Wheel Training

Believe it or not, you can actually train your cat to run on a treadmill or exercise wheel for a more controlled workout. Dr. Hofve recommends starting when your cat is young and energetic, and always supervising the activity to ensure their safety. Cats can run up to 30 miles per hour, so it’s important to start slow and build up their endurance.

Leash-Walking and Agility Courses

With proper training and the right equipment, you can even take your cat for walks on a leash, just like a dog. This provides mental stimulation and physical activity in a controlled outdoor environment. For the most adventurous cats, you can also set up a simple agility course at home to challenge their agility and problem-solving skills.

How can I get my cat to exercise more?

The key to getting your cat to exercise more is to provide a variety of engaging toys and activities that cater to their natural instincts and playful spirit. By incorporating interactive playtime, creating enriching environments, and even trying supervised outdoor experiences, you can help your feline friend stay active and healthy for years to come.

What are the benefits of exercising a cat?

Regular exercise offers numerous benefits for cats, including maintaining muscle tone, preventing obesity, reducing boredom and destructive behaviors, and promoting overall physical and mental wellbeing. Cats that get adequate exercise are often healthier and happier as they age, with less risk of age-related issues like joint problems or cognitive decline.

How much exercise do cats need?

The amount of exercise a cat needs can vary depending on factors like age, breed, and individual personality. As a general guideline, most cats should have at least a few short play sessions per day, totaling around 30 minutes of activity. Kittens and young cats may require more frequent and vigorous exercise, while older cats may need gentler, lower-impact activities. The key is to find a balance that keeps your cat physically and mentally stimulated without overdoing it.

10 Cat Exercises Your Pet Will Enjoy

Enticing your dog to get active with a walk around the block or a game of fetch is a no-brainer and a fairly common pet health practice. But when it comes to cats, many people don’t realize the value of exercise.

Many veterinarians recommend cat workouts to keep cats healthy well into their old age. And though a cat won’t exercise as readily as a dog will, there are a few strategies that will help you keep your cat active and mobile.

Try these 10 cat exercise tips:

  1. Pair up exercise partners. Since a cat won’t respond to your requests to play as easily as a dog might, Jean Hofve, DVM, author and manager of LittleBigCat.com in Denver, has a simple solution to ensure that felines get their needed cat exercise: Start with two cats. “A pair of cats who get along well will get plenty of exercise through their own wrestling and chasing games. I’ve known older cats who still wrestle like kittens,” says Dr. Hofve, adding that it’s easier to get two cats at the same time than to introduce a second cat later on.
  2. Try a cat tower. The multi-tiered “cat towers” sold online and in pet stores are another good way to ensure that your cat will have plenty of places to play and areas to climb for a good workout. Susan Nelson, DVM, an associate professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Manhattan, Kansas, suggests placing small treats in different parts of the tower to encourage climbing and playing.
  3. Keep plenty of toys around. Because cats tend to keep to themselves much more than dogs, the best strategy for cat workouts is to give them plenty of options in the form of toys. And these don’t have to be expensive toys from the pet store either. Dr. Nelson says you can use everyday household objects as toys to encourage cats to exercise. Think pingpong balls or balled-up pipe cleaners.
  4. Create a hockey rink. To make things even more interactive and fun, Nelson recommends putting a ball in a large cardboard box or the bathtub to create an instant “hockey rink” for your cat. As the ball goes flying off the walls (and the cat goes flying after it), you’ll get some laughs and your cat will get some much-needed exercise.
  5. Have fun with lasers. Speaking of laughs, few things will entertain you more — or have your cat moving faster — than a laser pointer on the end of a pen or leveling tool. “Laser toys are often good entertainment, but follow it up with a real toy the cat can catch to avoid fixation and frustration over never being able to catch the light beam,” says Hofve. “Be sure to never shine the beam directly into the cat’s eyes.”
  6. Give your cat a wand. This is a great cat exercise and a good follow-up to the laser, Hofve says. Get one of the flexible wand-style toys with a feather, mouse, or other diversion on the far end. “Interactive play with a wand or fishing-pole-type toy is fabulous exercise, usually quite funny, and extremely satisfying for the big hunter in your little cat,” Hofve says. “You can make it more challenging by running the toy up and over the sofa or up and down stairs to increase the exercise intensity. ”
  7. Use catnip wisely. Catnip is a useful tool for getting your cat to exercise, but Hofve says it’s best to use it only in the proper situations. “Remember that not all cats respond to catnip, and of those that do, a few will become aggressive from catnip,” she says. “Also, never give catnip before a stressful event, such as a trip to the vet. Your vet will thank you!”
  8. Get your cat on a treadmill or wheel, with supervision. Believe it or not, you can actually teach your cat to run on a treadmill for exercise, Hofve says. “It’s best to start when they are young, have lots of energy to burn, and are easy to entice with a toy,” she says. “Also, you should always supervise the cat while it’s on the treadmill.” Cats can run up to 30 miles per hour, but start slow and work up because you do not know what your cat’s speed is, Hofve says.
  9. Go outside. With proper training and the right equipment, you can entice your cat to walk with a leash and a harness outside, just like dogs do. “Leash-walking is great if you can get your cat to tolerate the harness and lead,” says Hofve, who favors a type of harness that is more like a soft garment for the upper part of the cat’s back, with straps built in. “Make sure the harness fits properly and can’t be wriggled out of. Young cats are easier to train, but in all cases it takes patience and perseverance.” First let them get used to the harness, then attach the leash and let them drag it, and then pick up the leash and put a little bit of pressure on it. It could take a week or two to get them really comfortable, although Hofve says they may take to it immediately.
  10. Create an agility course. If your cat is extremely energetic and agile, try some cat agility exercises, Hofve suggests. You might be more familiar with these challenges for dogs or horses, but cats can also enjoy this mix of speed and challenge. These programs include a number of obstacles, such as bars to jump over or tunnels to pass through, which push your cat both physically and mentally, Hofve says. She recommends researching cat agility courses online.

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How to Get Your Cat to Exercise

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Reviewed by Vanesa Farmer, DVM on March 16, 2023

You’re not the only one who needs to work out. Exercise is important to your cat’s overall health. Movement, especially the kind that uses their hunting skills, can keep their weight down and help them work off extra energy. Playtime is crucial for their mental well-being, too — it can help stop depression and boredom, which can lead to bigger health and behavior issues.

With a little help from you, your kitty can stay healthy and active — and have a little more fun, too.

Aim to play with your cat for around 10 to 15 minutes at a time. If they don’t enjoy it, they’ll let you know. When they get bored, put the toys away and offer some praise and a few treats.

Introduce some new toys. You probably already know that cats are fond of feathers and strings. But you can watch them while they play to find out what kinds of objects they like best.  Try out a toy shaped like a bird, then one that looks like a mouse, and another that resembles a bug. The plaything she likes most can help you figure out what kind to buy in the future. 

Be prepared for the kill. Cats are especially satisfied when they can get their teeth and claws solidly into their playthings. Let them do it, and be ready to offer replacement toys and feathers when old ones get worn out.

Add some new levels to your games. Get a multi-story cat tree and put it near an open floor space where your cat can run, then jump onto it.

Get your cat a piñata. Cats love to bat things that hang overhead. Food inside will offer even more motivation. To make a piñata, use a plastic container, like an old yogurt or sour cream cup with a lid. Cut a small hole in the bottom of it. Put a treat or two inside and hang it up with a string where your cat can reach it. If they hit it the right way, the treats will fall out.

Put on a tail. If you tuck a string or a long piece of cloth into the back of your pants, your cat can chase it as you walk around the house. But don’t leave the string out if you’re not supervising. If your cat swallows the string, it can be life threatening.

Take a hike. Just like dogs, cats can learn to walk on a leash, though it’s best if you can teach them how while they are young. Strolls outside are best suited to cats who aren’t shy. Use a harness instead of just a collar and the leash. Before you go outside together, make sure there aren’t any loose neighborhood dogs that might spook them.

Don’t forget the lasers. A laser pointer can provide endless entertainment and, yes, exercise, as your cat chases it. Take care not to shine the laser directly into the cat’s or anyone else’s eyes.

Put playtime on the calendar. Carve out a spot in your schedule for you and kitty to have some fun every day. Cats are most active at dawn and dusk, so the evening or early morning would be ideal. You might also work in a play session before their meals to give them the thrill of the hunt as the cat “catches” their food.

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How to train a cat and what commands to teach?

To learn how to train a cat at home, start with the simplest steps – encouraging good behavior and preventing bad. But can a cat be trained the same way as a dog? Yes and no. Because cats are very independent animals, they may seem uninterested or uninterested in being with you. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be trained. All it takes is a little patience and understanding, and you can quickly teach commands to your kitten or older cat.

What do you want to teach your cat?

First, decide what you would like to teach your cat as a beginner trainer, and then move towards this goal in small steps every day. However, before you start training your pet, think about what commands you will give her and what skills you want to achieve. Remember that you asked questions before: how to teach a cat to use a tray, how to ensure her calmness during trips to the veterinarian, how to stop scratching carpets or furniture? These are the tasks that you will solve during training.

Here are some general goals:

  • To litter train your cat.
  • Teach your pet to come to you when you call her by voice or gesture.
  • Teach your cat to be calm when you brush it.
  • Teach her to interact with you, other people or animals.
  • Teach your kitten to play with toys, with you or another cat.
  • Teach the animal to remain calm while traveling (when boarding and driving).

There are many important reasons for training your pet. But most importantly, if you teach a cat to behave properly, it will not avoid people and other animals. Training is also important for your own peace of mind: if the pet is calm when you cut her nails, or during trips, neither you nor she will have a reason to worry. The better the cat is brought up, the closer your relationship with it.

Each training session should be short and natural

Once you have determined which commands your cat needs to learn, start training. The first thing to consider is the fact that a cat’s attention span is shorter than yours. You should not expect that every time you train her, she will show interest in this. Stop training as soon as the animal gets tired.

Because some kittens are litter trained quickly (or may have already learned before you bring them home), this training may take very little time. But you may still need to bring your cat to the litter box for a while to remind her where it is. If you are teaching a kitten to play with toys (and with you), this training should be done in stages. Cats prefer to learn new toys on their own, which means that your role is only one thing – not to disturb the pet and at the same time not to leave her alone. Then, when she gets to know the new item, you can play with her.

Start small

If you enjoy training your cat, you can start teaching commands right away. To achieve success, it is better to teach one thing at a time. Once your cat has mastered what you are teaching her, you can move on to the next exercise. For example, when you bring a kitten home, you can litter train it right away. When you’re done with that, start introducing the kitten to other pets, then teaching it to sit quietly while you brush its fur, and so on.

Go beyond one area

Once your cat has learned the command, practice it in different areas of your home. If you introduce a kitten to animals already living in the house, bringing them together only in the living room, he may think that another animal lives only in this space. There is no problem if your other animal is a fish, but if a kitten is dating a dog, he should understand that he can meet her in any other places in the house.

As with the litter box, some commands need to be taught in different places in the house. When you litter train your cat, you may need more than one litter box. When you wean your cat from scratching carpets and furniture, you need to do this in different places in your house, as he will find such items in several rooms.

Involve other people

If it’s just you and your cat living in the house, you don’t need to worry too much about involving other people in the training process. And if you still want your cat to be sociable, shortly after you bring her home, invite friends or family members to chat with the new pet. However, remind them not to show their superiority during this introduction. As with your short sessions, give your pet free rein.

If you bring a kitten into a large family, it is extremely important to involve everyone in the process of training. There are many reasons why the whole family should be involved in training, but the most important is interaction and relationship building. After all, a cat will see familiar faces every day! All family members should be clear about the learning objectives and the methods you will use to succeed.

Use a reward system

Good behavior rewards are a great motivator, especially during training. There are two types of rewards for your furry friend that you can try out. First, know that the cat will love any of your praise. Speak in a kind, cheerful voice and remind your cat that you are proud of her. Say, “What a nice kitty” and “Well done!” while stroking her fur so that she understands that these gestures mean that she did everything right.

Cats also love treats. If suddenly your pet has done what you wanted her to do, give her some Science Plan food. To do this, you can use the “clicker” system. When your cat executes the command correctly, turn on the tool that clicks, and then give a treat – a signal that the command was correctly executed. If a cat hears this click every time it performs an action correctly, it will learn to do what you teach it to do well.

If it doesn’t work

Learning does not happen overnight, and sometimes the pet will make mistakes. Can you teach a cat to correct mistakes? Certainly. But before you begin, you must come up with a plan to correct a mistake or put your cat on the right track when she doesn’t seem to want to. Punishment will not work here, because the animal simply does not understand why something does not work out for him. And because of the punishment, the cat can become isolated and just leave.

Never knock, shake hands or use physical punishment on a kitten during training. Keep your voice calm. If the animal feels threatened by you, the training will be useless, and the cat will be afraid of you.

If you need to correct an animal’s misbehavior (such as furniture scratching), try making a brief noise. It will not be useless if you repeat the same phrase every time: “Bam!” “Wow!” or “Meow!” The point is to get your cat alert and distracted from what it’s doing right now. Avoid words you use regularly, such as “no!” or “hey!”, as the cat may be confused by hearing them under other circumstances.

Cat training can be fun for the whole family. Be patient and kind and you will reach your goal.

Contributor Bio

Erin Ollila

Erin Ollila believes in the power of words and that her message can give people a lot and even change them. Her articles can be found all over the internet and in print, and include interviews, commissioned articles, blog posts, and creative non-fiction. Erin is a fan of SEO and all social media. She graduated from Fairfield University with a Master of Arts degree in creative writing. Follow her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or find out more at http://erinollila.com.

how, when and how to play with a cat

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Although domestic cats love to rest and nap, they also need to play and move. Find out why being active is important, how to play with your cat the right way, and how to find her favorite activity.

Not surprisingly, domestic cats move much less than outdoor cats. But play and exercise for cats are critical to their overall well-being. It’s important to find ways to tap into your pet’s natural animal instincts, and five minutes of intense play three times a day is recommended.

Why are exercises and games important?

Playing with your cat is not just an opportunity to bond with her, it’s a way to keep her healthy so you can spend more time together. Worldwide, rates of obesity in pets are on the rise, so by incorporating exercise into your cat’s daily routine, you can help your cat maintain healthy weight, tone muscles, and avoid diseases that come with obesity, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

In addition to being healthy, games and exercise also help your cat develop good habits. The game stimulates the cat in a positive way, preventing her from spoiling household items such as furniture or plants. They also teach good and bad times to play, and help keep you alert and active.

How much activity does a cat need?

Although your cat’s need for movement may vary depending on age, weight and current activity level, it is generally recommended to have at least three five-minute intense play sessions each day.

When you play with your cat, remember that they are predators by nature and these short, five-minute bursts of activity are comparable to how they hunt in the wild. Even domestic cats were born to climb, jump, hunt and chase. Don’t be afraid to tap into these animal instincts and mimic their natural behavior while playing.

How to train a cat correctly?

To find out whether your cat prefers to climb or chase, try different toys and activities in turn. This will help you see which ones she likes the most. It’s also good to change toys every couple of days so your cat doesn’t get bored.

And speaking of toys, here are some of our favorites:

  • Cat trees: The perfect cat tree is a floor-to-ceiling structure made from a variety of materials that your cat can use for both climbing and combing. claws. Also, this tree is a great answer to how to train cats, as it provides an opportunity for effective training.
  • Catnip Mice: Your cat is good at running, hunting for the toy like prey.
  • Feather Stick: These toys imitate birds and cats love to hunt them. This kind of hunting is better than the real one, so you have a good way to take care of the wildlife! During the game, carry your cat, flutter and flutter with feathers of the toy, as if it were a bird.
  • Cardboard boxes: Cats love to hide and jump into boxes. The advantage of such a toy is that, most likely, you already have it at home.