A Naples and Bonita Springs Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company
The Dogs usually get the attention for the ‘exercise’ category don’t they? And I’m a huge advocate of the whole ‘exercise + dog = good’ thing. I find though that there are a fair number of kitties out there in our homes who have a bit of a weight issue. I think exercise is thought of for dogs as more of a way to keep their behavior in check even though its great for their weight and health too.
People often feel if they acquire a feline as a pet, they can ‘lazy down’ their activity with that pet. Not really fair is it? Cats are indeed rumored to be the sleepiest of all animals out there, but is it fair to ignore their need for activity and exercise? Shucks no!
As a matter of fact, according to a recent article released in Catnip from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, cats are seriously suffering from weight issues. So they offer some great tips on what to do for your unfit feline. First and foremost, you have to remember not to over do the activity with your pet. That can trigger negative responses that could be harmful. Just as in humans, if you’re out of shape and haven’t exercised, you don’t go into a gym and start out ‘full throttle’. You ease into it. So adopt that train of thought with Kitty.
Options for play and exercise: Laser pointers (don’t shoot the light in their eyes!), toys tied to string (you have to partake here folks), fake mice with crinkley paper in the material, toys rolled in catnip (again, monitor that carefully as many cats may over react to that catnip!) and there are great toys out there that have long sticks with fun stuff attached to the end! Go to a pet store… shop around… have a riot finding that one great toy (or 3!) and go home and play with your cat.
What’s that? You say you have a cat that doesn’t dig play time? I used to have a cat like that! The fine folks at Cummings recommend creating diversions for their food in place of playing with toys. Feed smaller portions and put their food bowls in different locations such as a window sill, upstairs iin different rooms or on the top shelf of a cat tree. Then eventually work play time into the activity.
And again, remember there are other options out there for their diets too. Felines are obligate carnivores… meaning their bodies perform best when they eat meat only. They aren’t built to live on kibble and often, that type of food is laden in carbs and that equals sugar and that equals pounds AND THAT equals serious health issues. Check out our video snippets and view the one about raw food diets! So just because your cat is… well, a cat, doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t need some exercise, so put on your sweat bands and get started! Inko… signing out!
