The 10 Best Exercises for Your Cat, According to Veterinarians

Help your feline go from fluff to buff.

Author:
Chad Thomas Johnston
Sep 1, 2023

iStock

Help your feline go from fluff to buff.

Alright everyone—grab your gym whistle and give your kitty a kettlebell! Or better yet, read on and learn about cat exercises your favorite feline can actually do. We'll help you get Fluffy fit with tips from top vets so you can feel like a responsible pet owner. While your cat probably will not end up with bulging muscles, she may live a longer, healthier life because of your efforts.

If you're not sure what constitutes exercise for cats or you don't know which exercises are best for your furry friend, it's okay. We asked five vets for advice—consider them your "purr-sonal" trainers! With their recommendations, you can get kitty moving in no time.

The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.

Do house cats need exercise?

As tempting as it is to let sleeping dogs, er, cats lie all the time, vets agree that house cats need exercise.

"We have grown used to the idea that cats are a sedentary species who sleep all day, but this isn’t true. They need physical and mental stimulation just like us," says Dr. Ben Simpson-Vernon. "A lack of exercise means indoor cats, in particular, are more likely to become obese, and this increases the risk of health problems such as diabetes and urinary tract problems, which can be life-threatening in male cats."

Is obesity in cats really that big of a problem though?

Dr. Marcus Dela Cruz (AKA "Dr. Marcus" or "The Friendly Vet") says, "According to the 2022 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey, 61 percent of domestic cats are overweight. I believe that lack of exercise is a major contributor to this problem."

That's why making sure your cat is getting exercise is so important.

"Increasing your cat’s level of activity will increase their metabolic rate and help burn more calories," Dr. Ruth MacPete, author of the award-winning children's book, Lisette the Vet, tells Parade. "The goal is to get your cat moving."

What is considered exercise for a cat?

According to Dr. Marlena Lopez, BSc, DVM , "Exercise for cats includes any activities that get them moving and engaged. This can range from interactive play sessions with toys, climbing cat trees or shelves, or chasing toys that mimic prey. It's essential to stimulate their natural instincts to pounce, stalk and explore."

But before you make kitty break a sweat (and cats do kind of sweat)—a word of caution from Dr. Marcus.

"If you and your cat have not developed the habit of exercising, I strongly recommend slow and gradual increases in activity over the course of weeks," he says. "Additionally, I highly recommend having your cat evaluated for underlying disease prior to starting an exercise regimen. Cats are notorious for 'hiding' their illnesses and their lack of enthusiasm for exercise could be due to a problem like osteoarthritis, heart disease or kidney disease."

If all of this is starting to sound like a lot of work for such a little creature, fear not. Once you get your cat checked out, it's all about encouraging exercise a few times a day for reasonable periods of time.

"The frequency and duration of exercise depend on your cat's age, health and energy level," says Dr. Lopez. "Generally, aim for at least two play sessions per day, each lasting around 15-20 minutes. Younger and more active cats might require more frequent and longer sessions, while senior or less active cats may benefit from shorter but more frequent bursts of play. Play not only contributes to their physical health but also provides essential mental stimulation."

You can do this, folks—and so can your cat!

Benefits of Exercise for Cats

In addition to having a healthier cat, Dr. Simpson-Vernon mentions other upsides to exercise: "Playtime with your cat will strengthen your bond with them and may even help reduce unwanted behaviors like scratching up furniture, which can be linked to insufficient mental stimulation." So when you play with your "puddy-tat"—to borrow a phrase from Tweety Bird—your furniture might last longer.

The 10 Best Exercises for Your Cat

1. Give your cat a reason to run

Thought exercise wheels were just for hamsters? Dr. MacPete recommends them for cats. Who knew?

2. Make mealtime puzzling

"Incorporate feeding puzzles or slow feeders to make mealtime a mentally and physically engaging experience," says Dr. Lopez.

A slow feeder like the one below encourages cats to take a whack at a mouse before they take a bite—and the small openings dispense a little kibble each time they do.

3. Utilize a laser pointer

Dr. MacPete, Dr. Marcus, and Dr. Jen Bussen all recommend using laser pointers to send your cat scrambling all over the house. Just turn the pointer on, aim it at a floor, staircase or cat tree, and move it to invite your cat to chase it.

Automated laser toys like the one below can be great for owners who are short on time but want to encourage exercise. This model is motion-activated, which means it's capable of giving kitty a workout when you're at work or on vacation.

4. Use wand toys

Dr. Simpson-Vernon breaks with his vet peers when it comes to laser pointers.

"I’ve seen lots of videos of cats chasing laser pointers," he says. "It can be extremely frustrating for them to never ‘catch’ the pointer. Instead, use a wand toy, which is a rod with some sort of ‘prey’ on the end like a feather. The idea is to make it feel like an authentic hunting experience by varying the speed at which you move the wand around and hiding it under objects so they can chase and pounce on their ‘prey.'"

5. Make your cat hunt for his meal

You know cats love to eat, so why not make them work for their food?

Dr. Bussen encourages cat owners to engage their feline's hunting skills by making mealtime a hunt.

"Feed them small portions in different locations so they have to move around to finish their meal," she says. "Try different textures of food to keep them engaged. Just make sure that the calories they are consuming do not outweigh the calories they're burning."

Want to kick this approach up a notch?

"Utilize the space in your house," she says. "If you have stairs, throw kibble up or down the stairs so kitty has to use a little more effort to get it."

6. Chase after a motorized mouse

Dr. MacPete recommends giving your cat a motorized mouse toy to chase. Motorized mice don't leave little droppings all over your house, and they lack that ick-factor that enters the equation when your kitten catches a mouse and brings it to you, proud of his accomplishment—so it's a win for pet and owner alike!

7. Play hide-and-seek

Dr. Lopez recommends "hide-and-seek games with treats or toys to stimulate their hunting instincts."

If you're short on time, a hide-and-seek toy like the one below will do the trick—and judging from the rave reviews on Amazon, it may become your cat's favorite toy!

8. Set up an obstacle course

"Not every cat has a strong 'inner hunter' and some will refuse to play with toys," says Dr. Marcus. "For these cats, you can set up obstacle courses and use a highly desirable treat or toy to persuade them to work through the courses."

So what should you use for your cat's obstacle course? That's up to you. But crinkly tunnels like the one below are always fun to include!

9. Encourage your cat to move vertically

Dr. Lopez recommends "encouraging vertical movement with climbing trees, shelves or cat towers. These not only provide climbing activity but also give cats a comfortable viewpoint of their surroundings—satisfying their need for security."

"Make them jump up on furniture or a cat tree or a ledge to make play more physically challenging," Dr. Bussen adds.

10. Treat them to controlled outside time

According to Dr. Bussen, "Controlled outside time, such as in a catio or on a leash, can provide even more opportunities for activity."

While your house cat may not be accustomed to outdoor play, a catio or leash like the models below can help keep your cat safe while encouraging him to exercise in a setting he will likely find exciting!

Tips for Getting Your Cat To Exercise

So, what if you try to get your cat to exercise and he just glares at you and sits there, resolutely, in defiance? Maybe it's time to change your approach.

"Try to find what motivates them," says Dr. Bussen. "If they're food-motivated, use feeder toys for all meals. Find toys that they like, and rotate those toys to keep things interesting."

Or, let's say you sprung for the extra fancy scratching post and your cat is steering clear of it. "When introducing your cat to a new scratching post, play around it with a toy or rub catnip on it to encourage your cat to interact with it," suggests Dr. Lopez.

If you try these things and kitty plays along, only to wander off at the end as if it to say, "Buh-bye, hooman," that's okay. You've still done your job.

"Your cat will usually tell you when they have had enough and take off," says Dr. MacPete. So you can expect this from your furball—and count it as a victory because you helped him exercise.

Now, if he wants to pass out after pumping iron—or doing the cat equivalent thereof—he's earned it!

Just make sure to heed the advice of Dr. Lopez: "Always monitor your cat's response to exercise and adjust accordingly. This is general advice, and should not take the place of a proper veterinary consultation; if you have any concerns about your cat’s mobility or lifestyle, please speak to your local veterinarian."

You've got this, cat owners. Now go forth and help your feline friend frolic!

Next Up: Kind Man Rescues Paralyzed Cat and Performs an Absolute Miracle