3 Ways To Encourage Your Cat To Exercise On Its Own
When cats are outdoors, the world is their playground. From climbing to scratching and running around, cats have plenty to do to help keep them in shape.
Unfortunately, most cats won't be able to spend their lives outside as it simply isn't safe. If you want to replicate the opportunity for your cats to stay fit by themselves in your home, then here's how you can do it with three types of toys and equipment.
Scratching Posts
Scratching posts are a quintessential cat toy and for lots of good reasons. They help cats to sharpen their claws and shed old bits. They help a cat to stay strong and healthy by scratching and climbing all over the post. And in many cases, they provide cats with an outlet to mark something as their turf without getting in trouble for it, like they do when they scratch your sofa or chair legs. If your cat doesn't have a scratching post yet, it's a good time to get one. Try to get one that has at least one elevated platform so that your cat is encouraged to climb, not just scratch.
Automated Toys
There are many types of automated toys these days that can entice pets when their parents are too busy to play or not even home. Consider these three.
The first type of toy is an automated laser. The laser darts around on the floor and surfaces randomly, enticing your cat to play.
The second is robotic toys that move around and wiggle with a small motor inside. These typically require batteries, but they're a worthwhile investment for your cat.
The third type is toys that allow you to play with your cat while you're away from home. You'll have to participate a little bit for this one, but many toys now allow you to play with your cat with a built-in laser pointer while you're away by using cameras and microphones to let you see what your cat is up to remotely.
Running Wheel
One of the best tools that you can introduce to your cat to help them to stay healthy is a running wheel. This is a lot like hamster wheels, but cat-sized. Many cats will get their 'zoomies' urge out on cat wheels, and since they don't need a lot of space to run on it, they can get a long workout without tearing up your home in the process.
Keep in mind that you may need to get your cat started on the wheel before they'll use it on their own. Use a laser pointer or wiggling toy to get them to stand on it and run forward. After a while, they should enjoy it all on their own.
Keeping exercise in your cat's life is an integral part of keeping them healthy and at a good weight. If you think that your cat is overweight, visit a veterinarian, as starting a diet plan for your cat all on your own can potentially lead to fatty liver disease.
For more information, contact local professionals like those found at douglas animal hospital.
