How to exercise your cat

True or False: Cats don’t need exercise

    exercise your cat

Answer: False

While cats have the unfortunate reputation of being naturally sedentary, it’s false to think they don’t need exercise. Cats are active hunters who evolved to spend many hours of their day stalking and hunting—behaviors they don’t get to express much in our homes. This lack of activity contributes to feline obesity, with around 60% of cats in the United States considered overweight or obese.

So if you’re looking for how to exercise your cat, it’s best to give your cat the opportunity to unleash their inner hunter! Increasing activity and exercise time will not only be fun for your cat, it will keep them trim, improve muscle tone and joint health, and prevent diseases such as diabetes.

Tips for how to get a cat to exercise

  • Use toys to recreate hunting behaviors. Laser pointers, feather wands, mouse-shaped toys, even a crinkled piece of paper—the possibilities are endless! With so many options, you are bound to find a toy that will get your cat pouncing.
  •  Create an agility course for your cat. Transform various household items into a small obstacle course, then lure your cat over, under and through it with a favorite toy or treat.
  • Purchase a cat tree to promote climbing. Cats love to stalk from a high vantage point, so be sure to put the tree somewhere with lots going on to watch.
  • Let your cat explore the outdoors on a leash. Your cat may spend more time smelling, listening and watching than truly walking, but going outdoors on a leash will still encourage some physical activity and burn calories.
  • Make mealtimes more active. Change the location of the food bowl every day to get your cat “hunting” for their meal, or get your cat to work for their food with an interactive puzzle feeder. Cats also show activity spikes around mealtime, so you can encourage more physical activity by feeding them multiple small meals per day as opposed to one or two large meals.
  • Teach your cat some new tricks. Yes, cats can learn tricks! Choose an active trick like fetch to get your cat up and moving.
  • Offer catnip. When cats are offered catnip, it can make them more playful and energetic. Not all cats are sensitive to catnip, so your cat’s response may be muted.
  • Play together! Games such as chase or hide-and-seek are a great way to exercise your cat while getting in quality bonding time.


How much exercise do cats need?

Generally, we recommend your cat get around 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day. Some breeds, such as Bengal cats, may be more active and require more physical and mental stimulation.

How do indoor cats get exercise?

It’s true that cats who live outdoors are usually at a healthier weight than indoor cats, but there are plenty of ways to keep your indoor cat active. Any of the tips we’ve provided in this article can be used for indoor cats. Keep in mind that you want to encourage natural behaviors. Think of the hunting, stalking, pouncing and running that an outdoor cat does, and consider how you can mimic those behaviors inside.

Cats can have quite individual preferences, so try several options to find the one that your cat loves best (and get ready to capture some adorable cat videos).

Does your cat love playtime? Here are our tips and tricks to keep them engaged! >>