Exercising with your cat can be quite challenging, especially if your cat doesn’t like being disturbed. Unlike dogs, who are generally very playful, cats can be quite calm. For this reason, you’ll need to be patient and decide what kind of exercise could interest your cat. In this article, we’ll go over a few activities that you and your cat can do together!
Play tag together
This activity simply involves playing hide-and-seek with your cat. To begin, give your feline a sneaky look before hiding. This will allow them to guess what you’re up to. As soon as they spot you, they’ll be delighted to chase after you. This chase will allow them to use up some of their energy.
Another tip is to try tag with your cat. If you have a garden, you can create an obstacle course that you have to navigate during your chase. To make the game a little more challenging, you can climb and avoid letting your feet touch the ground. Cats love to climb; what better way to encourage them to do so? Your cat will then put their whole body and all their senses on high alert to catch you and win the golden claw of the chase.
Naturally, it will be more difficult for them to run faster than you. You’ll need to slow down at some point to let them catch up. Praise them and give them a treat if possible. This will help them associate this activity with a positive experience. It’s also a great way for you to get some exercise and strengthen your bond with your cat.
Cat yoga: a type of exercise you can enjoy with your cat
Cat yoga is a discipline that has become increasingly popular. Essentially, it involves doing yoga with your cat. The cat’s flexibility allows it to assume unusual positions, even falling asleep in these postures. Moreover, cats are calm animals that radiate positive energy, which is beneficial for many yogis.
To properly prepare your cat for this activity, it’s best to play with them for a good while beforehand. This will allow them to expend energy and be calmer during the session. The goal isn’t for your cat to mimic your movements. Rather, it’s for you to mimic theirs, such as the lotus position or the cat pose.
In addition to strengthening the bond between you and your cat, this exercise will help improve your flexibility. It’s an opportunity to share a moment of well-being and meditation with your cat. If you’re lucky, they might even lie on your stomach.
During the session, if your cat tries to get your attention, ignore them. Avoid playing with them during the session and try to connect with their energy. You can pet them or talk to them, but don’t interrupt the session. At the end, reward them with a treat or play with them again.
Try caticross
Less popular than canicross, caticross is an activity that involves running with your cat. This sport allows cats to get proper exercise and spend time outdoors. Like other activities with your cat, it also strengthens the bond with your pet. It also helps you burn calories to stay in shape and improve your endurance.
To do this exercise with your cat, it’s important that your cat is in excellent health. If, like most felines, your companion spends its life lounging on the sofa, opt for a gentler activity. Avoid running with a cat that’s too spirited or too sneaky. There’s a very high chance you’ll get your hands scratched while preparing for the activity.
As for equipment, you’ll need a harness, a leash, a waist belt, and running shoes. You can then follow these precautions before starting your session:
- Apply a protective cream to your pet’s paw pads,
- Avoid feeding your cat to limit potential stomach problems,
- Choose a nice day to try this with him (most cats don’t like getting wet),
- Bring water bottles to stay hydrated and keep your pet cool,
- Choose quiet places for the first few sessions.
To ensure a peaceful run, avoid running too close to waterways. As a natural predator, your cat may start chasing insects and birds. Remember to warm up before you begin. During your first few outings, there’s no need to race; take it slow and steady!
Use moving objects to keep your cat stimulated
If your cat isn’t keen on going outside, there are a few tricks you can use to encourage them to move around indoors with you. First, invest in a remote-controlled mouse. Move the mouse remotely so your cat tries to catch it. Continue this chase around the house until they’re exhausted.
If you’d like to take this activity further, you can attach a feather to a fishing rod and hold it up to your pet. They will try to catch the feather. You can take this opportunity to run a little errand around the apartment.
Hiking: a sport you can enjoy with your cat
Not sure what kind of exercise to do with your cat? If you’re a hiking enthusiast, why not kill two birds with one stone? Simply pack your feline friend in a hiking backpack and hit the trail. Stroll through nature or a city park to introduce them to new sensations.
During your walk, you can take them out of their transport bag and put them on a leash so they can stretch their legs. In this case, you’ll need to slow down if you’re running to allow the animal to expend energy without overexerting themselves.
If you have the opportunity and, above all, the necessary physical fitness, try climbing a tree or hill with your cat. As a precaution, choose a tree that isn’t too tall, especially if you’re afraid of heights. Getting down could be very difficult. The main thing is to get your cat to exercise with you while having a good time together.
Try cat agility with your pet
Cat agility is the feline version of dog agility. It involves an obstacle course tailored to a cat’s abilities and size. The course includes stairs, hoops, obstacles such as barriers or cones, and tunnels to navigate. During this activity, the cat must navigate the obstacles as quickly as possible to earn rewards. It is therefore a stress-free experience for the cat.
Cat agility allows your pet to expend energy in a more playful way. It helps them gain flexibility and muscle tone. It’s also a great opportunity for bonding between you and your companion.
Although all cat breeds can complete this course, cat agility is particularly well-suited to indoor cats who don’t get enough exercise due to lack of space. The most common breeds in competitions are the Maine Coon, the Abyssinian, and the Turkish Angora.
Regardless of your cat’s breed, you can easily set up this obstacle course for them at home. All you need is the following equipment:
- tunnels to allow the animal to let off steam,
- rings, broom handles, barriers or tin cans to create obstacles,
- toys (bells, feathers, rattles) and rewards hung high up to motivate him to progress.
Once you’ve set up your course according to your imagination, you can train your cat to navigate each obstacle step by step until they get used to it. You can also start with the last obstacle in the course and gradually add new ones. If your cat is older, they might not enjoy this activity. Be attentive to their needs!