Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by Pets Feed
Cats can make great pets, but especially when they are kittens, they can be full of energy and spend a lot of time playing and getting rid of excess energy. But as cats get older, they often spend most of their time napping and lounging.
On average, a cat can sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, or even longer. And even when they’re awake, they’re often content with less strenuous activities like eating and grooming.
There is no need to worry about how much a cat sleeps, as this is a natural, instinctive behavior for them. But the less active they are, the more likely they are to develop physical and emotional problems.
Exercising regularly will help your cat maintain a normal body weight and maintain muscle strength while providing much-needed mental stimulation. In addition, playing with cats can help you strengthen your bond with them as well as create tons of fun memories.
So, in this article, we will give you important information about why play is so important for cats, as well as some useful tips on how to give your cats the exercise they need for a happy and healthy life.
Quick Review: what to consider when cat training
- Physical fitness – exercise can help keep your cat’s weight at a healthy level, help prevent obesity, and keep her muscles strong.
- Mental Stimulation – Keeping cats busy will help prevent boredom and loneliness, as well as prevent destructive behavior.
- Bonding – The more time you spend playing with your cats, the stronger your bond.
- Frequency. Depending on the cat, exercise and play should be done at least several times a day, for 3-5 minutes each time.
- Types of toys. Cat toys, scratching posts, and laser pointers are great ways to get your cats used to exercise.
1. Cats need physical activity
Exercise is a vital part of a healthy cat lifestyle.
Cats tend to be playful animals, but they also love to sleep and laze around a lot. Because cats can sleep 12 to 16 hours a day (or more), they can easily become obese. Other problems that can come with obesity and inactivity can include arthritis, diabetes, ligament damage, respiratory problems, and even internal organ problems.
Getting your cats, a healthy dose of regular exercise will help avoid many of these problems and will also help keep your cat’s muscles strong. Again, most cats enjoy playing and being active, and regular exercise will also help prevent injury while playing.
2. Mental stimulation is important for cats
As already mentioned, cats like to sleep a lot, but this does not mean that they have an inactive brain. However, cats can easily become bored or nervous if they are not given enough attention or mental stimulation. This is especially true if your cats are left alone all day while you are at work.
But getting into the habit of playing with your cats several times a day for 5-10 minutes at a time, or at least giving them toys to play on their own while you’re away, can help. In addition, by giving your cat much needed mental stimulation, destructive behaviors such as destroying your furniture and other items in your home can be prevented.
3. Play leads to good communication
Cats are very independent animals and if you don’t spend time with them, it can lead to destructive and generally unpleasant behavior. And an unhappy cat will eventually make you unhappy. Despite their independent demeanor, cats love to know they are loved and accepted, and playing with them is a great way to show that.
Cats of any age tend to really enjoy playing. Not all cats are naturally playful, and some may respond better to some toys than others. However, simply talking to them a few times a day will help build trust between you, which will eventually lead to a stronger bond.
4. Play with cats often
As with all other animals (and humans), one of the best ways to avoid obesity, boredom, depression, and unhealthy behaviors in cats is to exercise regularly. Regardless of the age, size, or breed of your cats, keeping them active is an important part of their happiness and overall well-being.
So, make it a rule to exercise your cat at least three times a day for 5-10 minutes at a time. This will help fight obesity, prevent destructive behavior, and strengthen your bond with them. In addition, playing with a cat is just an entertainment that all cat owners are madly in love with.
5. There are many different toys for cats
A variety of toys and games are the best way to keep your cat mentally and physically active.
Depending on your cat’s personality, you may need to experiment to find out which toys she prefers. All cats have their own unique personality traits, some respond better to certain types of toys, while others do not. In any case, it is still very important for them to know that you recognize them and interact with them.
Cat toys can be very simple or very complex. When it comes to play, plush toys, balls, ribbon sticks, and laser pointers are usually win-win, but there are many more expensive cat toys that require batteries and more complicated maintenance. In fact, it all depends on the personal qualities of your cat.
Afterword
Cats may seem quite content to sleep and rest all day, but they definitely need a lot of exercise to stay healthy and happy.
And you, as the owner and by definition, need to make sure they get the right amount of exercise every day to maintain their health and happiness, prevent destructive behaviors and strengthen their bond with them.
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