How can I encourage my cat to be active?

There are several ways to stimulate your cat and encourage it to be more physically active. Playing with your pet is just one way to get it moving and spending more energy. Encourage your cat to be active by playing “hunter and prey” or by racing around when your cat’s in that kind of mood. Do this two or three times a day for ten minutes, and you’ll be doing your cat a big favor. You can also develop its hunting instinct by hanging a toy or a ball on a stick. Rotate the various toys so you can keep your pet interested in them.

Your cat will get more exercise if you make it work a little for its food. For example, you could leave your pet’s food and water bowls on a different floor to the one where it sleeps; that way, it will have to go up and down stairs more often. You could also use a food-dispensing ball for its kibble. Set up several structures for your cat to climb or jump on, such as a cat tree, window shelves and bookcases. Your veterinarian will be glad to offer more suggestions for getting your cat in shape.