Did you know that cats may sleep up to 20 hours every day? That’s quite impressive. Fluffy sleeps more than virtually any other animal on the globe. Only a few bats, possums, and teenagers sleep longer. Your pet’s preference for napping has both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, it’s not only really cute, it also makes her easier to care for. Kitties, on the other hand, require some form of physical activity to keep healthy. Continue reading for advice from a local North Redington Beach, FL veterinarian on how to keep your cat in good form.
Staying in shape is equally vital for cats as it is for humans, and for similar reasons. Regular activity is good for your feline friend’s muscles, bones, and heart. It’s also the most effective strategy to prevent feline obesity, which is one of the most serious health risks these cute furballs face. In fact, around 63 percent of pet cats are overweight. That may sound sweet, but it is actually very dangerous. Those additional pounds can create many of the same complications in cats as they do in humans!
Some of these include the following:
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.
Attempting to convince Fluffy to sprint laps around the kitchen is unlikely to provide much success. You can put her on a treadmill, but she’ll probably fall asleep rather than start jogging. Your best approach is to provide toys and playtime. Fluffy’s instincts will serve you well here. Cats are natural predators, thus they have an instinctual need to chase things. (They are also naturally inclined to leap on our toes and bat at our shoelaces, but that’s another story.) Taking a few minutes each day to hold a wand toy or laser pointer for Fluffy can help her stay fit and healthy.
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 her 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. Here in Florida, you also need to stay away from bodies of water that could be housing gators.
Be sure to ask your North Redington Beach, FL vet for more cat care tips.
Our first suggestion? Time it right! Kitties are naturally crepuscular, which means they are most active between twilight and dawn. Playing with Fluffy in the mornings and evenings is likely to be the most successful. Of course, you can play with your cat whenever you want!
Keep playtime short and sweet. Our feline friends do not have a lot of stamina or endurance. They’re better suited for short spurts of energy, which they recover from by napping, meditating, criticizing us, and scheming world dominance.
Be careful not to let Fluffy overheat. This also comes into play throughout the summer. To be honest, cats use a lot of energy in a short amount of time while hunting. However, Fluffy does not have many effective means to cool down if she becomes overheated. Panting doesn’t work as well for her as it does for dogs, and she can only sweat via her paw pads. Kitties presumably worked out a long time ago that erring on the side of laziness is beneficial for them. (They’ve also got us to basically wait on them hand and foot, so there’s that.)
Don’t worry about overdoing it. This is one area where dogs and cats differ significantly. Fido will work himself to the point of weariness to satisfy his humans. Fluffy won’t even push herself to the point of becoming mildly exhausted. She may like you, but she isn’t going to push herself too much for your sake. As soon as she becomes tired, she stops playing and wanders off in search of her next sunbeam or napping area.
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 accidentally instill bad play 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 furry friend 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.
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 North Redington Beach, FL pet hospital, we are here for you!
