Cats need exercise. Although cats are famous for their independence, it is possible to help them move around more. Most cats enjoy some physical activity in their lives. But that may leave you needing a guide- a how to exercise your cat guide! Because of course, you will not be able to force your cat to do anything. And, you cannot buy them a gym membership for their birthday. (However, that paints a very funny picture in my mind.) With some creative thinking and research, you can unearth many sources of exercise for your cat. With a little bit of effort, they can all be free, too- if that is what you are after. You do not have to take your cat for a traditional walk like a dog- but a lot of cats do like that and can be taught to! I wouldn’t immediately rule that one out!
As a general rule of thumb, cats need 30 minutes of modest exercise per day. This does not mean that they need to be running for a constant 30 minutes! This does mean that they need moderately intense exercise for 30 min a day. As might be expected, this amount will vary for the age and the health level of your cat.
You can feel free to break this time up. Try 15-20 min twice a day, if it is hard to engage your cat’s attention for 30 min. Smaller chunks of time like this can work well. In fact, cats can prefer short bursts of play, as they were built for this. In the wild, they would be hunting- the sprints of exercise that this would give them would be sporadic.
So then, if you find that your cat seems to give up and walk away after 5-10 minutes of play, this is actually very normal. They may in fact be tired. But they will be up for another game shortly!
If you have a senior cat, or a cat with an injury, illness, or disability, talk to your vet about how much time is safe for exercise; similarly, talk to your vet about the best exercise for your cat’s specific needs and life situation. If your cat is breathing heavily or experiencing pain during an exercise, then let them stop and catch their breath. Try a different exercise or stop altogether if needed. You don’t need to force your cat to do something they hate. You will be able to find activities they enjoy. Keeping the experience positive is best. This will especially help your cat continue to exercise daily in the long term.
The question, “Why should I exercise my pet cat?” Is a fair question. After all, exercising your cat is not the cultural norm. Moreover, we are programmed to think, If you don’t want to walk your pet, get a cat! Then you don’t have to exercise them! And, If you are not prepared to take your dog for walks, you need to rethink getting a pet dog at all. Dogs need to be walked! Cat’s don’t!
In recent years, veterinarians, scientists, and researchers have been promoting exercise for cats. The general opinion is that outdoor cats get plenty of opportunities for exercise; indoor cats, on the other hand, do not. A lack of exercise has been increasing the number of cats in homes who are obese. Obesity leads to further health issues. Some sources and experts go so far as to say that the problem of obesity in cats is an epidemic.
Just like in humans, this obesity can lead to health problems. As an example, your cat could eventually develop diabetes and possibly have a shorter lifespan. Exercise can keep your cat healthier and free of disease longer.
Besides physical effects, a lack of exercise can affect your cat mentally and emotionally. Just like children need to play, cats need to play around, too. This increases their happiness. They will also behave better! Cats who don’t get enough exercise and/or mental stimulation may act out in ways that you don’t want- like scratching the forbidden couch to shreds or eating the goldfish!
For instance, my cat will swat at my legs when I walk by. This leads to scratches and ripped jeans!
Physical activity is built into the makeup of your cat. This is why it benefits them physically, emotionally, and mentally. They are wired to hunt in the wild! This is where they would be getting the majority of these benefits from. Since they are no longer in the wild, but in the comfort of your home, they need something to fill the gap. (This is also why toys which simulate the thrill of the chase during a hunt are so popular with cats!)
One last benefit of exercise is that it keeps your cat from getting too bored!
And finally, one of the best reasons to exercise with your cat is to increase bonding between you and your cat!
Just like anything else, you will be more likely to follow through if you schedule it. Write down the times each day that you will play with your cat. Include what you’re planning to do and what materials you will need (if you want to be extra organized.) This will only help you in your exercise endeavors.
Cats are most willing to play at dawn and dusk. They are naturally active at these times. This makes dawn and dusk a great exercise hack. Schedule your cat’s exercise during one or more of those times, and it may be a piece of cake to get them moving!
Rubbing catnip and/or treats on an item can increase your cat’s attraction to it. For example, if there is a toy that your cat isn’t too keen on, you can try this trick. Sometimes this will suddenly make that toy very interesting! You can also do this to new items like scratching posts and cat trees, to attract your cat. Sometimes cats can be wary of these new items.
If cats don’t enjoy the activity you’ve chosen, it will be obvious! When they get bored, put the toys away and offer some praise and a few treats. It’s important to reinforce the time as a positive, fun, one even if they quit early.
Chasing The Outstanding String, Yarn, Ping-Pong, And Bouncy Ball
What cat can resist a bouncy ball or a ping-pong ball? Toss these around somewhere safe in your house, and your cat will love chasing after these objects. The quintessential string or yarn ball is also a hit. If you slither one of these across the floor like a snake, even if your cat appears bored at first, you may catch him becoming more and more focused on that moving object- until he is actively pouncing on it across the floor! Just make sure not to leave your cat unattended with string or yarn, so that they don’t ingest any of it, and so that they don’t become tangled up in it.
Cat Trees/Cat Condos/Cat Towers
Having a cat tree is great for your cat because it gets them jumping, climbing, and scratching. As they maneuver their way around, they will be stretching and contouring their bodies in all sorts of ways. Cat trees can also come with toys built into them- like things to swat at with paws, and things to scratch.
All of this will encourage movement in your cat. You can hide special toys and treats on platforms and in the compartments of the cat tree for extra fun.
And, the taller the cat tree the better! Don’t be afraid to have it reach the ceiling! This is safe, fun, and natural for your cat to climb and perch from: even from higher heights. Just make sure that your cat tree is sturdy!
Treadmill & Cat Wheel
This may sound crazy, but you can coach your cat as a runner on a treadmill! To see this in action, check out the great video below. Certainly, start off at a slow and unintimidating speed. Gradually work your way up. You can spread this across treadmill sessions.
Always supervise your cat when they do this!
Cat wheels are increasing in popularity, and you can now encourage your cat to run in a wheel just like your hamster! These are widely available in pet stores and online- no need to worry about not being able to find just the right one!
Hockey Rink Or Soccer Field
You can make rinks and fields that look just like a real hockey rink or soccer field (see videos below). You can also throw a ball in a box! This provides walls for the ball to bounce off of while your cat swats the ball around. The bathtub has even been suggested for this same purpose!
Bunches Of Cat Toys
Bringing out a whole pile of toys for your cat to play with at once will give them options. This will also enable you to get a feel for the types of cat toys that they prefer. If they gravitate towards all the toys that look like mice, you will know what to buy next.
Bring out a group of toys gives them a lot to do so that they won’t get bored. They can rotate through the toys, taking turns playing with the different types.
Make A Pinata With Treats Inside
You know that your cat loves to swat at things. Why not give them a pinata to swing at? What a fun idea! You can buy a cat pinata or make your own.
To DIY, find a plastic food container from your recycling. Cut a small quarter-sized hole in the lid with your scissors. Fill it with some treats or cat food! Snap-on the lid, hang it from a string and dangle it from a high surface (or hold it) for your cat to bat at. They will see a treat pop out when they hit it just the right way, and they will keep hitting it for more. Make sure that you hold it above their heads! Cats love to reach up and swat at things that are just within their reach!
You can also buy small pinatas or make beautiful ones yourself. Check out the DIY beauties on Pinterest.
Bird Feeders & Aquariums
Cats can spend a long time staring at something that fascinates them. Try a bird feeder or an aquarium! Not unexpectedly, if you have a hunter cat, (which accounts for a high percentage of cats), you will need to separate your cat from the bird feeder, (maybe by a window or a patio door) and make sure that the lid is on the aquarium, (with no holes for hot paws to peep through).
This may not be a high-cardio activity, but it can lead to motion and movement in your cat. Not to mention, mental activity will increase their happiness and health. Cats do need that mental stimulation, and watching other critters in the wild is just their cup of tea.
‘Catching’ Food
You can turn mealtime into a hunt and/or a game 🙂 Cats are hunters, and if they don’t have an outlet for this instinct, they can get stressed out and bored! Without question, there are many ways to do this.
One example is to put your cat’s food in a puzzle toy. You can get other types of toys that disperse the food at intervals as rewards for your cat.
Alternatively, you can hide the food! Just make sure that your cat, like a small child, doesn’t see where you hide it! That’s way too easy.
Turning mealtime into a hunt can kick start the predatory instinct in your Kitty Cat. For longer sessions of fun, you can divide up the meal into smaller portions and hide it in multiple places.
Use Vertical Space & Perches
When cat trees are too expensive, cat perches can be a great alternative. These shelves for cats are raised up high so that they can view their dominion. Posting one of these by a window can be a fun spot for your cat to watch birds from.
Cat trees can also be situated near patio doors and windows to give your cat the added benefits of watching wildlife outside.
Multiple cat perches can be posted on your wall to give your cat spaces to jump to.
You can make your own shelf of bed perch for your cat. Just make sure that it will support your cat’s weight safely. Additionally, if you buy a plain old shelf as a perch, make sure it is made to support the weight of your cat. Sometimes these shelves are made for light, decorative objects only.
Cat TV & Music
If you can protect your keyboard, computer, laptop, or Television, there are now shows, videos, and channels specially designed for cats. On YouTube, you can find channels and videos for them easily. These usually feature birds, mice, and other critters. You can also find music on YouTube for Cats, with sounds that they love.
My cat can get especially into the bird videos, which are just like watching birds in their natural habitat. He will attack the TV, or swat at my laptop screen, entertained and fixated completely. It is definitely a workout! The only drawback is that you need a way to protect screens and keyboards from the cat attack!
If you buy covers for these, then this strategy is a real win for some cats.
Bubbles
Who doesn’t love bubbles? Bubbles can be the perfect thing for your cat to chase and pop with their paws. A bonus is that this toy is very inexpensive, yet has the potential to entertain your cat endlessly! Seeing that !! will satisfy their predatory instinct without sacrificing your pet budgie. You may also enjoy helping the bubble popping along.
Leash Training
Don’t overlook this one just because it is ‘not normal.’ Walking your cat is taking off in our culture and around the globe. Many cats of all ages (especially kittens) can be trained to walk on a leash. Undoubtedly, great patience will be required, and you may need to make room in the budget for extra treats. Leash training can take a couple of weeks or much longer- but if you are gradual and gentle about the training, you may be surprised to find that your cat is one of the ones who love this outdoor experience.
A few safety precautions for leash-walking. Take care that your cat doesn’t munch on anything that is toxic and/or poisonous to them, and make sure that they have an identification tag of some sort on them. Their leash must be attached to a harness, and not a collar. This will protect necks from injury, while also making it near impossible for your cat to slip out. If they do get out and runoff, then your identification tag can help. This is very unlikely, however, if your cat is fitted properly to a harness- not too loose but not too tight either!
Explore A New Place
You can experiment with exploring new outdoor spaces. If your cat won’t walk with a leash and harness (or, isn’t fully trained yet), you can still attach your cat by a harness to a long leash. This allows you to go to new outdoor spaces with them, and while they may not walk right beside you, the long leash will give them lots of space to explore their surroundings.
You can combine this with a cat carrier or cat backpack to take them from place to place. If you know that the outdoor area you will be exploring is enclosed, you of course can let your cat go and explore freely without a leash and harness.
You can now get fun rails to put across the top of your fence to keep cats from jumping up and over. These rotate when your cat’s paws hit them so that they cannot grab hold of the top of the fence.
Catios
Catios are amazing creations and they are just what they sound like- a patio for your cat! These are generally very large and tall caged or glassed-in areas, with all sorts of perches, trees, napping areas, and cat condos inside. The idea is that your cat has ample room to explore outside, but is still in a safe space. Catios are a little paradise for your cat.
Teach Them A Cat Trick!
Teaching your cat to do something, like shake a paw or giving you a high-five, will provide a little physical activity but will be enormously helpful for mental stimulation. Remember to reward them with some treats when they understand a step! Dr. Ragen McGowan, the Purina behaviorist, explains that pets experience the ‘Eureka Effect’ as humans do. This is when we solve a problem or puzzle of some kind using problem-solving. We feel some good strong emotions for a job well done! And, we feel good because we figured it out ourselves 🙂
Set Up A Cat Agility Course!
You can set up a cat agility course. Make things for your cat to climb on, jump on, crawl through, and jump over. Start easy! Petfinder suggests cutting the bottom off a big, brown paper bag and putting a treat at one end. Make your cat retrieve the treat! Once they have this under their belt, you can buy cat tunnels for them to crawl through for fun. Obstacle courses can bring all sorts of fun into life and can of course be indoor or outdoor. Search up cat obstacle courses online if you need ideas on how to make them. There are lots of ideas out there.
Give Them Something To Chew On And To Destroy
If you know of something that your cat likes to chew on and tear to pieces, give them permission to do this- but with an item designated just for destroying. (I don’t mean to suddenly let them tear at your new couch or jeans!) For cats, you can also buy scratching posts and mats. You can try cat-friendly plants that they can chew on like catnip, cat mint, and lemongrass.
If you experiment with cat- toys, you may also find one that your cat likes to tear to shreds. I have a ball with feathers on it that no longer has any feathers, because my cat tore them all out with his claws and teeth. I also found a toy ball on a wand and a string for him to destroy. He ripped a hole through the inside and tore out the noise-making device!
Learning how to exercise your cat doesn’t have to be complicated and frustrating. First, understand the basics of how much exercise your specific feline needs. Next, understand the ‘why’ behind exercising your cat. This will help you stick to it because you will know that it’s worth it! Read the paragraph on increasing the effectiveness of your cat’s work-out time to learn these tips ahead of time, so that you don’t have to learn them the hard way. Lastly, choose your form of exercise for your cat- whether indoor, outdoor or a combination of both- there are many options to choose from. Since you have found this guide, all you need to do is see it through from start to finish. Your cat will be healthier and happier, and your relationship will be closer! Have fun!
Don’t forget to leave comments below for us on how you exercise your cat. There are hundreds of ways and we’d love to hear what your favorites are!
Great advice! I’d really love to see a guide for exercise suggests for a cat with arthritis. Poor guy just doesn’t move around much because of the trouble his joints give him, so he’s rarely in a playful mood… I’m hoping gabopentin will help him, though. My other cat enjoys being outside but is such a pain on a leash haha! It’s his way or the highway. And because he has CKD that means treat options are sadly limited.
Hi Christina, that is a great idea. I’d love to look into writing a blog for cats with arthritis. Is he able to swat around some small toys rather than move his whole body around? Your vet may have some good exercises for him that are tailored for his needs. If you can get your second cat outside in an enclosed area like a backyard, that will also give him the opportunity for movement. (My cat is also a slow learner when it comes to leashes- he is very independent! He would rather walk two metres behind me.) Good luck to you and your cats as you pursue exercise 🙂 🙂
He does sometimes swat at toys but that is a rare mood for him, something I hope will be more common once he has his arthritis medication. He unfortunately also has past trauma from abuse, so he tends to shy away from the dangling toy we use to exercise our other cat.
Unfortunately all we have is a small porch which is about the size of our bathroom (we live in a one-bedroom apartment). Main reason I’d like to take him outside is because everything is so small… lol I’ll have to find some way to wrangle him under control outdoors.
You could try toys with catnip or rubbing catnip on the toys you have. I have yet to hear of a cat that doesn’t go for that! You could try balls or mice-shaped toys also instead of dangling toys. They are affordable and can be bought with pouches for cat-nip inside. For time outside, you can take him to a park in a cat carrier and let him out on a leash and harness and not necessarily ‘walk’ him, but just let him hang out. As well, sometimes cats who have past history of trauma from abuse can be trained to do what other cats can, like spend time outside on a leash and harness, it just may take a very, very long time and lots of patience! Good luck to you and your cat!
So much great information on exercising your cat. I have owned a cat for 13 years and never thought or even heard of these ideas. Like for example, they are more likely to play around dawn and dusk. Never even noticed this before but now that you said that I realize it is so true. I also love writing the times down when they do play to build off this as the likely time they will play every day.
So much to get into here, I just love it. Love all the pictures too.
Hi Dan! Thanks for your response 🙂 I also used to wonder why my cat was so crazy in the mornings and the evenings. If I’m not up at the usual time he goes a little nuts! Great idea to write the times down. I will do that myself because I’m having a hard time pinpointing when my cat wants to nap in the evening, and when he is going to be up and running around. Thanks for the tip and all the best with your cat’s exercise plan!
