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Active cats are happy cats

Play equals exercise equals happy, fit cats

By Christie Keith

published 10/19/2009 | View all articles from this day

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It’s easy to see why cats are such popular pets. Unlike dogs, they don’t need to be walked, usually come litter-box trained by their mothers and rarely dig huge holes in the yard — or bite the letter carrier. Unfortunately, in a lot of people’s minds this translates into “Cats need absolutely no care and exist just to sit on my lap and purr while I watch TV.”

Instead of living the challenging life of a hunter, our cats have food delivered to them on a predictable schedule. We rarely do anything to make up for their lack of mental stimulation, and we consider their natural behaviors, such as scratching and nocturnal play, to be behavior problems.

As a result, we’ve ended up with fur-covered, purring sofa cushions who are fat, flabby and prone to diabetes, kidney disease and boredom.

An exercise program will keep your cat happy and minimize health and behavior problems. But before you begin such a program, make sure there isn’t a physical reason for any feline misbehavior by scheduling a visit with your veterinarian. A cat who previously used the litter box and then stops doing so probably has a health — rather than a behavioral — problem. Cats who develop aggressive behavior later in life are also more likely to be sick than misbehaving.

Then think about where your cat spends his days. Your home might be cat-safe — but is it cat-friendly? Are there places for her to climb without knocking over your most precious tchotchkes or unraveling your drapes? A few strategically placed cat trees and a high shelf or two can do wonders for your cat’s mind and body. Climbing exercises your cat’s muscles, claws and mind.

Next, encourage play. Teaching your cat to play with you has a big payoff. Kittens who are conditioned to respond when their owners instigate play can be enticed to play when they’re adults, too. If you don’t train your young cat — and yourself — to incorporate regular active play into your relationship, your cat will probably not continue playing once he hits middle age, no matter what you do then. You can teach your kitten to play with you by using interactive toys, such as “cat dancers” and other fishing pole-style toys.

If you’re not starting out with a kitten but trying to enrich the life of an older cat, your invitations to play may be met with a disbelieving stare. If that happens, try breaking out the laser pointer. Laser pointers are wonderful toys for any cat and the only thing that will get some older cats to play. Be extremely careful not to shine the light into your cat’s eyes, and keep the laser away from children.

Lazy cats can be encouraged — OK, forced — to climb if their food bowl is moved to the top of the refrigerator or the highest platform on their cat tree. (Be sure your older cat is physically up to it before trying this.) Make your cat work for his food.

There are safe ways to give your cat fresh air and sunshine and allow him to pursue his lifelong interest in ornithology. Wired-in porches, window perches and outdoor enclosures are available as kits or can be custom built by a handy cat owner or contractor. There are also bird-feeding stations that can be mounted outside a window, so your cat can sit and watch the birds in safety — his and theirs.

No matter how old your cat is, no matter how out of shape, even if he’s too ill for any form of play, there is one thing you can do that will improve his quality of life and relieve the stress of boredom: Love him. Pet him, talk to him, cuddle him and hang out with him. Take him with you from room to room, feed him from your hand, tease him with catnip and groom him if he enjoys that.

Cats have given up a lot in the transition from tiny tiger to house pet. Don’t let your playful little tiger turn into a purring heating pad with a weight problem. And if your older cat already has gone that route, take steps to fix it. Your cat’s life — and your relationship — will be richer for it.