Top Five Ways to Keep Your Cat Healthy

Like all of us, some cats can be very sedentary animals and sleep for much of the day. This can lead to them becoming overfed and fat and even result in obesity.

All cats need to be looked after to remain in peak physical condition. It is important that you maintain a good general health and dental routine with your cat to keep them in shape.

Poor fitness can put your cat at risk from heart and kidney disease and respiratory problems. There is also an increased likelihood of cancer, diabetes and ligament damage. The type of exercise your cat requires will depend on the breed, age and current health of your pet.

One thing is for sure, however, and that’s by increasing your cat’s fitness you will do wonders for his or her health.

So, just how exactly should you go about it?

1. Make your home more enjoyable

Every cat caregiver should consider adding shelves and other objects for them to climb on and keep active. Domestic cats spend a lot of their time indoors and are rather sedentary in comparison to feral cats. A house is not a natural environment for a cat but there are a few ways that you can make it more enjoyable.

Many shops and companies sell specially-made platforms that allow your cat to climb on different levels. You can make these yourself if you want but ensure they are safe enough to support your cat.

Cat shelves are a great addition to your home and can be easily attached to windowsills. A scratching post is another must-have for any household.

2. Spend time with your cat

Spend time with your cat and be his/her play partner. You should dedicate time each day to interact with your cat. This can help to increase their fitness level and keep them healthy.

There are many items that you can buy from your local pet store that will keep your cat active. You could treat your cat to a catnip mouse for a great play session.

To maintain your feline’s fitness, you might consider getting another cat for play and interaction. This will ensure that they will always have a play partner even when you are not home.

3. Keep the diet nutritious

Your cat can become accustomed to high sugar, unhealthy treats and cat food. If you notice they’re putting on weight it may be worth consulting a vet to see if there are any healthy alternatives you could try.

You could also try making your cat work for his or her food by introducing a food ball. This ball gives cats incentives to play with the ball which contains little holes to allow dry foods to be released when the ball is rolled.

Make sure you measure the portions of food for your cat carefully and avoid overfeeding with treats.

4. Go for a walk

Safety of outdoor walking depends on your cat but, with the proper tools, taking your cat for a walk could help improve his or her fitness. Many pet stores sell cat leashes and harnesses. (It’s not a safe option for cats that try to escape harnesses.) Place your cat in the harness indoors at first then introduce them to outdoor environments and slowly increase the length of your walks.

5. Encourage exercise

Encourage high intensity exercise. Many studies have shown that most of a cat’s waking hours are low intensity and therefore they may not be getting as much exercise as they need.

Consider building an agility course for your cat in the household. This will ensure that your cat gets some high intensity exercise which will help to strengthen their muscles and improve their fitness.

You should also ensure that your cat is protected against illnesses or impacts to their health by investing in cat insurance. Find out more by taking a look at The Co-operative Insurance website. Of course, all policies come with restrictions and limitations so it’s important to check that the policy you choose is suitable for your cat.

Thank you to The Co-operative Insurance for the information contained in this article.

Photo credit: Clipart.com.