Helping your cat exercise definitely
takes some creativity and usually some trial and error to find out what kind of
games your cat likes!
Just as with dogs, your goal is to keep your cat moving for at least 20 minutes. One of the most popular and cat-accepted toys available is a simple laser pointer. Most cats cannot resist chasing that little red dot as you make it magically move across the carpet. In addition to laser pointers the pet stores are full of interactive toys that cats love to chase. Many of these toys have feathers or shiny foil that are fun for your cat to play with, but make sure they are put in a drawer or closet when you are not playing so your cat doesn't risk ingesting them. The most important part of helping your cat exercise is that it needs to be interactive — that means you are a part of the game. Just buying your cat a furry catnip mouse and leaving it around for them to play with is not enough. You need to get your cat moving and keep him or her moving. Play time is also great bonding time for you and your cat and many owners report a closer relationship with their cat after they start a regular play program.
References:
Michael S. Hand, Craig D. Thatcher, Rebecca L. Remillard, and Philip Roudebush, editors. WJ Burkholder and PW Toll. Chapter 13 Obesity: Exercise. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 4th Edition. p417-419, 2000.
