Cat Weight Loss: Fun Exercises for a Healthier Kitty
Is your cat looking a little round around the middle lately? Carrying some extra pounds can be harmful to your feline friend's health. Obesity in cats increases the risk for diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and more.
The good news is that with a little effort, you can help your chubby kitty lose weight and get back to a healthy size. Diet is an important part of weight loss, but exercise also plays a key role. Physical activity helps burn calories and build muscle. And the great thing about cats is that they love to play! With some creativeness, you can turn playtime into great exercise for your cat.
Here are some fun and stimulating ways to help your cat get moving and shed those extra pounds:
Cat Exercises and Games
1. Chase the Laser
Cats go crazy chasing laser pointers! This is an easy way to get kitty running around and burning calories.
- Pick up a standard laser pointer or cat laser toy.
- In a safe, open area of your home, shine the laser on the floor and walls and have your cat chase after it. Move it around quickly to keep them on their toes.
- Try making your cat run around obstacles, jump up on platforms, and climb cat towers to get the laser.
- Aim for 10-15 minutes of chasing 2-3 times a day.
Tip: Make sure your cat doesn't get obsessive or anxious going after the laser. Keep sessions short and don't tease them too much.
2. Follow the Lure
Use a cat fishing pole toy and make your kitty "hunt" for their prize.
- Attach a bird, mouse, or feather toy to the end of the fishing pole.
- Lead your cat around the room, dragging the toy along the ground and through obstacles.
- Watch your cat pounce and leap to capture their "prey!"
- You can also have them chase the lure up cat towers or other vertical structures.
- Aim for 10-15 minutes of play, 2-3 times daily.
3. Agility Course
Set up an indoor obstacle course and have your cat complete it for treats!
You'll need:
- Cat tunnels and tubes
- Cardboard boxes
- Pillows or cushions
- Paper grocery bags
- Cat treats
Arrange these items along a path through the room:
- Start with a paper bag to run through.
- Add a box to jump into and out of.
- Place a tunnel to crawl through.
- Arrange cushions or pillows to leap on top of.
- Finish with another box or paper bag.
Coax your cat through the course using treats, having them climb over, under, and through each obstacle. Gradually speed them up to keep their heart rate elevated. Do 2-3 runs per day.
4. Hide and Seek
Make your cat hunt all over for hidden treats.
- Take your cat's favorite treats and hide small piles of them around the room - under cushions, behind furniture, at the top of cat towers, etc.
- Encourage your cat to seek out the treats by showing them the first couple of locations.
- Watch them run around finding the treats and gobble them up!
- Make it more challenging by really hiding them in hard-to-reach spots.
- Aim for 10-15 minutes of hunting, 2-3 times a day.
5. Bat at Balloons
Blow up some balloons and let your cat enjoy some pawercise!
- Inflate 3-4 balloons (non-toxic ones made for pets).
- Let your cat bat and pop the balloons - they'll go nuts chasing them around the room!
- As they pop, blow up new balloons and add them into play.
- Make your cat work harder by throwing and bouncing the balloons across the room.
- Play for 10-15 minutes, 1-2 times daily. Supervise so your cat doesn't eat balloon pieces.
Tip: Some cats may be afraid of balloons. Make sure yours enjoys them first before making it a regular game.
6. Food Dispensing Toys
Use food puzzles to make your cat "hunt" for their meals!
- Instead of serving meals in a bowl, use food dispensing toys.
- Some examples are puzzle feeders, activity balls, treat mazes.
- Your cat has to push, bat, roll, nibble or paw at these toys to get their kibble out.
- It keeps them active and entertained while they eat.
- Measure out the day's food and divide into 3-4 puzzle toys for "meals."
This stimulation and exercise will help burn energy and excess weight. Rotate different puzzles to keep it interesting.
Troubleshooting Exercises
Here are some tips if your cat isn't interested in exercising or gets tired too quickly:
- Use treats: Adding treats into the games rewards and motivates cats.
- Try catnip: Rubbing catnip on toys sparks many cats' interest and energy.
- Change toys: Rotate new toys in to keep them intrigued.
- Short bursts: Try frequent, shorter 5-10 minute play sessions.
- Pick optimal times: Play when your cat is most active - usually morning and evening.
- Make them chase: Make your cat really work by throwing and bouncing toys around.
- Multi-cat motivation: If you have multiple cats, they can stimulate each other during play.
- Praise effort: Verbally praise and give treats during and after exercise sessions.
Weight Loss Exercise Precautions
Check with your vet before starting an exercise regimen with an obese or elderly cat. Here are some precautions to keep in mind:
- Don't overdo it too soon - gradually increase activity.
- Provide ample water breaks.
- Watch for limping, lameness or reluctance which may indicate injury or arthritis.
- Avoid excessive force or exertion. Let your cat set their own pace.
- Supervise play and stop for rest periods if your cat seems worn out.
- Separate cats if ones become aggressive or competitive.
- Cats should breathe normally - discontinue activity if you notice coughing, wheezing or respiratory distress.
- Check with your vet about safe weight loss rates for your individual cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much exercise does my cat need to lose weight?
Most cats benefit from at least 30 minutes of total activity per day, through interactive playtime and exercise. Spread this out into 3-4 sessions of 5-15 minutes each. Increase intensity and duration gradually as your cat gets fitter.
What kind of cat toys are best for exercise?
The most stimulating cat exercise toys get your cat moving in different directions and work both body and mind. Good choices include fishing pole toys, laser pointers, treat dispensing puzzles, paper bags, ping pong balls, catnip stuffed mice, or anything else that engages your cat's natural hunting instincts. Rotate new toys frequently to prevent boredom.
How can I get my lazy old cat to be more active?
For reluctant or arthritic cats, catnip and treats can provide motivation. Make sessions very short (5 minutes) but frequent. Warm your cat up gently with light massage first. Use soft, non-impact toys like feathers. Place toys within easy reach rather than throwing across the room. Low-impact activities like hide-and-seek are good too. Check with your vet first about appropriate exercise methods.
How much weight should my fat cat lose per week?
A safe weight loss rate for cats is around 1-2% of their body weight per week. For a 10 pound cat, that's around 1/4 - 1/2 pound weekly. Losing weight too rapidly can cause liver problems. Work closely with your vet to set a healthy goal for your individual cat. Frequent weigh-ins help monitor progress.
When should I stop my cat's exercise session?
End the workout if your cat seems overly tired, reluctant, stressed or winded. Watch for signs like heavy/rapid breathing, wheezing, limping, hiding, or a glazed/exhausted look. Exercising to the point of collapse is dangerous. Cats won't necessarily stop when tired; you have to end sessions before overexertion. Give frequent water breaks too. Know your cat's limits.
Conclusion
Feline obesity can negatively impact cats' health and quality of life. Fortunately, exercise and interactive play can help your cat slim down. Work with your vet to develop a safe weight loss plan. Try out these fun games and activities to get your chubby kitty moving! Just be sure to monitor your cat's exertion levels. With patience and consistency, you can help your furry friend return to a healthy weight.