How to Make an Older Cat Exercise

The health of your cat changes throughout the aging process. Things like weight gain are common in older cats, for example, because their metabolism may drop and their energy levels decrease. This means that exercise might not be as much a part of your older cat's life as it once was. There are ways to make your older cat exercise; however, you should always keep in mind that your cat is older and watch for trouble signs, such as labored breathing.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat toys
  • Scratch post
  • Cat climber
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Instructions

    • 1

      Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian before you start an exercise program with your older cat. Your vet can check to make sure your older cat does not have any diseases or problems that would make certain types of exercise dangerous.

    • 2

      Make playtime a part of every day. Leave room in your schedule to play with your older cat. Playing is the main form of exercise for all cats, including your older cat.

    • 3

      Play games that your older cat enjoys to promote exercise. You can throw a ball, dangle a string or use a laser pointer to encourage your cat to run around the room chasing the dot.

    • 4

      Leave out toys that your older cat can use to exercise when you're not around. Scratching posts, cat climbers, jingle balls and tiny mice can all help encourage your older cat to exercise and play.

    • 5

      Try toys that have catnip inside. Catnip can make some cats more frisky and help boost their energy to exercise more.