5 tips for getting a cat to exercise more

Although cats are naturally active and will play and move when given the opportunity, if your cat sleeps a lot during the day, it is not necessarily a cause for concern. Many cats sleep during the day and conserve their energy for nighttime hunting and playing. Things are often a little different with house cats; they generally receive very little stimulation. Boredom, other behavioral problems and weight gain then lurk. It is therefore important to offer a cat sufficient challenge and exercise, even if it seems like he would rather spend the whole day curled up on the couch. But how can you best encourage your cat to get physically active? In this blog, we will give you 5 tips on how to get your cat to move around the house.

Playing with a cat

Although an idle cat may look like he is having THE time of his cat's life, a cat that does not get enough physical activity may well develop health problems in the long run. For example, there are many risks associated with pet obesity. For example, did you know that an overweight cat lives an average of 2 to 3 years shorter? In this blog, you'll find more information on pet obesity.

So adequate exercise is definitely vital! Because a cat is harder to take outside on a leash for a walk, playing with a cat is not only a good but also a fun solution. Below we give you 5 tips for the most fun cat workouts:

Tip 1: Find the right toys

Cats, like humans, need variety. This means that cats can also get bored of their toys. Variety of toys is an easy way to prevent play fatigue and besides, it also keeps our feline friends interested. Fortunately, there is an awful lot of choice when it comes to cat toys these days. If you have a cat that loves to chase and jump on moving objects, interactive toys can be an ideal solution. These toys move by themselves and can thus elicit a reaction from the cat. Toys with catnip are also often favorites of cats. Toys with catnip are specially designed to stimulate the senses and trigger a cat's natural instincts. You may also find that you have toys in your home that your cat doesn't care for, but loves a piece of crumpled paper. In that case, you can take your cat's "feedback" and purchase toys that make a crackling sound.

Another good tip is to put the toys away when the cat is done playing. If they have constant access to their toys then they are more likely to get bored of them faster.

Tip 2: Make use of food puzzles.

Food puzzles are an incredibly fun way to turn meal and treat moments into stimulating and fun games that get a cat moving and thinking. There are several types of feeding puzzles available at pet stores, but you can also make your own. Consider toilet rolls, egg cartons, plastic containers or cardboard boxes that you can hide food or rewards in. A towel or old clothes are also suitable as food puzzles. Put the kibble or reward in this, roll it up and you have an excellent puzzle for your cat.

Tip 3: Provide plenty of (vertical) scratching posts

Sufficient climbing opportunities encourage cats to exercise more. Consider a cat tower and scratching posts. As natural hunters, cats benefit from places at height because it allows them to survey their territory from above. The more floors and hiding places, the more challenging and fun it is for a cat. In addition, it also encourages them to jump and climb. A scratching post or cat tower near a window encourages a cat to climb up even more, as it allows them to look outside and experience where sounds and smells come from. In addition, a scratching post helps a cat flex and stretch its body.

To encourage additional movement, you can also choose to give your cat's food at height and possibly offer it in different places around the house. This also partly mimics nature, where the cat has to look for its prey to catch it. By spreading out the food, you can get a cat to "hunt" for its food.

Tip 4: A second cat in the house

If you have the opportunity to welcome a second cat or kitten into your family, this is a great way to cheer up a lazier cat. After proper introduction, a more active cat will naturally take the initiative to play and perhaps coax the lazier cat into a more active lifestyle. When the two cats get along well, you will find that they will regularly seek each other out for a game of wrestling or to run after each other. This will certainly help to burn the necessary calories! And let's face it, when it comes to pets, surely two is always more fun than one! 😉

Tip 5: Learn new tricks using kibble

Not only dogs enjoy learning new tricks. Cats can enjoy training just as much. Learning new tricks challenges the cat both physically and mentally. In addition, it also strengthens the bond between humans and animals. So a real win-win situation! In addition to special tricks, you can also teach the cat to jump on something or perhaps take it for a walk around the house. All the extra exercise is a nice bonus.

The use of snacks can lead to overfeeding and especially with cats that do not get much exercise, which is of course not the intention. It is therefore best to choose to keep some of the daily amount of kibble the cat gets separate and use it as a treat.

Bonus tip: Is your cat's food of good quality?

How do you feel after eating unhealthy food? We bet you don't have much energy to exercise afterward. We humans feel much more energetic when our diet consists of basically healthy foods, and it works exactly the same way with our pets.

Cats fed low-quality food are not getting all the nutrients they need to be active (among other things). Cats need a complete and balanced diet consisting of high-quality proteins and fats supplemented with healthy vegetables, fruits and herbs. It is also important that the food be free of artificial additives and preservatives. Riverwood Cat foods meet these quality requirements. Are you curious about the full range? Then view all varieties of Riverwood cat foods here.

Finally, make sure your cat drinks enough water. This is because dehydration can also lead to lethargy. A cat should always have access to plenty of clean, fresh drinking water.

Keep play sessions short

You don't have to play with a cat for an hour at a time. In fact, there is a good chance that the cat will drop out prematurely because it loses concentration. Therefore, start quietly and keep the play sessions short. By playing with your cat for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time, you already prevent the cat from getting bored and at the same time build a strong bond with him. The best times to play with a cat are in the morning and evening, because that's when cats are naturally most active.

Exercise is healthy, not only for humans but certainly for animals as well. Your cat not only uses up energy by moving, but also its muscles are put to good use and therefore kept supple. In addition, exercise is good for the brain. Sufficient exercise thus keeps a cat healthy both physically and mentally. And a healthy critter is a happy owner, right? 😊

Lots of cats already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you also like your cat to feast on our delicious kibble and are you curious which variety would suit your cat best? Then answer a few questions here and order an inexpensive sample pack right away.