Cat Exercise 2025: Vet-Approved Fun Ways to Keep Your Cat Healthy 🐱💪

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Just like humans, cats need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Keeping your cat active not only maintains their physical health but also stimulates their mind and reduces behavioral problems. Here are ten effective and fun ways to help your cat get moving:

1. Interactive Play

Engage your cat with toys that mimic prey, such as:

• Feather wands

• Laser pointers

• Small mice or ball toys

Chasing and pouncing on these toys taps into their natural hunting instincts and provides great exercise.

2. Food Puzzles

Treat-dispensing toys and food puzzles encourage your cat to work for their snacks:

• Stimulates both mind and body

• Encourages movement, problem-solving, and mental engagement

3. Climbing Trees and Towers

Cats love to climb and perch. A cat tree or tall tower provides:

• Opportunities for climbing, jumping, and stretching

• High resting spots that satisfy their natural instincts

4. Regular Play Times

Establish a daily play routine:

• Cats thrive on consistency and habit

• Short, frequent sessions are better than long, infrequent ones

5. Rotate Toys

Keep your cat interested by rotating toys regularly:

• Prevents boredom

• Keeps playtime exciting and engaging

6. Walks Outside

Some cats can be trained to walk on a leash:

• Provides exercise and mental stimulation

• Always ensure safety and supervision when outdoors

7. Play with Other Pets

If you have multiple pets:

• Encourage safe, supervised play

• Cats often get exercise naturally while interacting with other animals

8. Use Catnip

Catnip can enhance playtime for many cats:

• Stimulates activity and excitement

• Use sparingly to maintain novelty

9. Hide and Seek

Hide treats or toys around the house to encourage hunting behavior:

• Keeps your cat moving

• Engages their natural curiosity and instincts

10. Engage Their Curiosity

Cats are naturally curious. Use this to your advantage:

• Move toys under a rug or blanket

• Let your cat figure out how to retrieve them

• Encourages both mental and physical activity

⚠️ Important Tips

• Observe your cat’s preferences and abilities; not every cat will enjoy every activity.

• Introduce new exercises gradually.

• Always ensure activities are safe and avoid anything that could cause stress or injury.