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This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Put a bell inside the ball to get your cats attention, then roll or toss the ball so they can see and chase it. Finding games for your cat to play is a fun way to provide stimulation and strengthen that special bond the two of you share. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful fur. One way to ensure your pet stays spry is to encourage cat exercises to keep her brain and body active and limber. Some cats respond particularly well when a ball is rolled or thrown into another room or around a corner, as this gives them the opportunity to sneak up on their prey.. Upon talking to your vet, ask if feeding your cat Hill's Science Diet Youthful Vitality cat food is right for your cat. Put them inside toys that act as puzzles so your cat has to play to get the treats out. In some instances, catnip can even be placed inside the toy to attract your cat. As a result, you may help your cat improve their speed and agility. 1. Cats are independent creatures, and some may scoff at the idea of working out, especially if they are older and arthritic. According to International Cat Care, as cats are creatures that thrive on routine, they will have regular patterns of activity that they are unlikely to deviate from. Cats love climbing, but senior cats who may experience arthritis will eventually have trouble climbing if it's not practiced regularly. Fortunately, your veterinarian can offer many different options for relieving pain, including various pain medications as well as neutraceutical joint formulas, joint mobility foods and other treatment modalities such as acupuncture, massage therapy and more. For more insights into cat behavior, visit our Pet Expertise page to get unique insights from our experts. To prevent behavioral problems, it may be best not to introduce a younger cat to your senior cat. Major Breakthrough in Managing Cat Allergens. In some situations, shorter and less intense play sessions conducted at more frequent intervals may be in your cats best interest. Try using toysGet your cat some new toys. International Cat Care has compiled this handy list of cat etiquette: For more expert advice on playing with your cat visit International Cat Care. The sooner your young kitten begins a lifetime of activity, the happier and healthier she'll be for years to come. Get pet health tips and insights from top veterinarians delivered to your inbox weekly! Mike has more than 35 years of experience in companion animal veterinary practice and is a valued member of IDEXXs Pet Health Network team since 2013. Tailor your exercisesAlways tailor any exercise program to your cats individual situation and abilities. However, there are some things you should consider when playing with your senior cat. Your cat will enjoy playtime more when he can play without pain. Add extra cozy cat beds to your home to give comfort to sore joints and increase your cat's quality of life. Find a stick and some string to make a wand or a "fishing pole" to tease your cat. For instance, cats suffering from heart failure may not be able to withstand strenuous play or other forms of strenuous exercise. If youre looking for cat enrichment games and activities, there are a lot of options. These toys require your kitty to do some mental work to figure out how to get a treat or kibble of food to fall out. She'll swat and jump to catch whatever you put on the end of the string. They can be dangerous when your cat attempts to play with them unsupervised, entangling limbs or being a strangulation hazard. Whether it involves cat food distribution balls, games that inspire their predatory instincts or fun with catnip, there are many great games to play with cats to keep them entertained. Hiding the food will allow your cat to explore your home, rather than staying in one spot all day. Wand toys, automatic toys, throw toys, and catnip and honeysuckle toys are all popular choices. Between 10 and 12 years of age, cats do not initiate play as much as they used to. Check cat toys for small items that can be chewed off and swallowed. If your cat has arthritis, do not have it walk up the stairs. As our cats get older and enter into their senior years, however, they become more sedentary; according to Cornell University, that in turn makes them more prone to obesity which puts them at increased risk of other serious, medical conditions such as: Unfortunately, your cat is not likely to ever walk past a mirror, catch a glimpse of herself, and vow to eat less and exercise more. Since cats don't have gym memberships, they'll rely on you to guide them on an exercise journey. Even if your cat lies down to play, it will still be beneficial, both physically and mentally. Your vet can give you recommendations on how to make adjustments. Cookie Consent Tool. 5. [1] Simply keep recycling the existing toys. Chase her, play hide and seek, and enjoy interacting with your cat. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The walk does not need to be very long. Playing with your cat is another way to show them that you love them. Games such as hide and seek and chasing a laser light encourage your cat to use its predatory instincts. Food balls are probably the simplest form of brain teaser and basically consist of a hollow ball that can be filled with food or treats. Experiment with different toys to find out which ones your cat prefers. Toys can range from simple and inexpensive to elaborate and costly. Senior cats quite often suffer chronic diseases that are painful. Cats Protection advises that older cats may enjoy playing three or four times a day, while younger cats will be happy to play 10 times a day or more. Senior cats need to exercise their brain too. Whether they bring it back to you depends on their mood. Provide towersCat trees arent only for show. These toys require your cat to complete a puzzle or activity before the treat is released. Veterinary care is important for all cats and doubly so for your senior cat. While it seems unorthodox to many people, you can train a cat to wear a harness and walk on a leash, and many enjoy this activity. It exercises muscles and joints, keeps your cat fit and lean, keeps your cat entertained, and helps to prevent boredom and stress that can lead to behavior and health issues. Put a nice, big cat tree next to a window and place a bird feeder within view outside. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Toys that your cat can chase, such as a laser light, are great choices for your senior cat. 2021 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. In some cases, catnip can cause a cat to become excitable and extremely playful, while other times, it can have a relaxing effect. Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced ocean fish to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life. The personal information you provide will be used to send you Pet Club communications and to administer your Pet Club account. Tap into that inner tigerUse your cats natural predatory instincts to really engage her in play with you. The safety of your cat is paramount. Note that if your cat isnt interested in chasing after a string, using something like a feather wand will probably do the trick. The cookies we use are categorised as "Necessary" and "Non-necessary". If your cat stops, do not force it to continue playing. He might sleep more, not be as interested in romping around and chasing things, and generally seem to be less playful. Scented toys can be particularly beneficial for blind cats. If you notice the senior cat becoming aggressive with the younger cats, talk with your vet about ways to separate the cats for playtime. Changing the location of the litter pan might not work in everybodys favor, but try feeding your cat on a higher plane especially if your cat has free choice access to dry food. Cat Workouts and Exercise Tips, smart practical pointers for staying active and optimizing weight through exercise. For full details on how we process and protect your personal information, see our Privacy Policy. For cats, the best games are those that make the most of their natural repertoire of behaviours stalking, pouncing, chasing and batting objects with a paw, exploring, climbing, jumping and patrolling. Other cats may enjoy toys that mimic birds. Many felines love squeaky toys, but some are startled by them, so introduce them carefully. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. And not every cat is going to be up for taking leash walks. Learn more about how playing with your cat choosing the right cat toys, games, sound stimulation, and frequency are an important part of maintaining their health and your bond with them. If your cat has trouble moving around, do not hide the food in places that would be difficult for your cat to reach (e.g., high up on a cat tree, between a piece of furniture and the wall). Note: Especially with a laser pointer be careful to always let the cat catch something (anything) in the end. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com. % of people told us that this article helped them. Something as simple as dragging a string across the ground might be enough to get your cat ready to stalk and pounce. As your cat gets older, you might find that he's not as interested in jumping and leaping as he once was. Although most people associate fetch as a game for dogs, it turns out many cats also love to play fetch. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Kittens are fuzzy little packages of boundless energy that can amuse themselves and you for hours on end. Some cats enjoy toys which roll or move across the floor, allowing the cat to chase. Playing these kinds of games with your cat will not only stimulate them mentally but will also give them physical exercise. Call us on +44 1405 862241 or get in touch via our contact form. At each visit, ask your veterinarian if it's safe for your cat to play. There are many smart tools that can help your mature cat exercise more. For other ways to care for your senior cat, check out the articles in this category: Senior Cats. The food/treats inside the ball are dispensed through a small opening in the ball as your cat manipulates the ball. 3. Nutrition plays a valuable role in keeping senior cats active and healthy. Make treats countIts natural that you want to give your cat treats and rewards for exercising, but make them count. Your senior cat might not have the stamina to play for as long of a period at once as he used to. This article has been viewed 4,586 times. If your senior cat has a health condition, it may try to hide that weakness by becoming less playful and more aggressive towards the other cat. Ask your veterinarian about what type of play is appropriate for your cat as well as what type of play schedule is safe for your cat. She'll jump up for a view of the hungry birds that are happy to entertain your kitty in exchange for a meal. Every cat is an individual, but age is a factor here. That little kitten you welcomed home years ago is now an older lady, and it's up to you to advocate for her mental and physical health. Dominican Republic - Repblica Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR (English), How to Keep Your Senior Cat Active | Hill's Pet, Hill's Science Diet Youthful Vitality cat food, Fun Games for Exercising Your Cat | Hill's Pet, Playing With Your Cat: Toys, Games & How Often to Play, A wand or teaser with feathers that your cat can chase, A cat wheel (yes, just like a hamster wheel! Take baby steps, as it were; you can always make it harder over time. X When to Switch From Kitten Food To Cat Food? Youthful Vitality is specially formulated with aging cats' needs in mind, to help support your cat's ongoing vitality through increased activity, interaction and mobility. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Article was somewhat helpful, but could be improved. Toys that reflect light are particularly attractive. Luckily the types of toys that a senior cat will enjoy playing with are the same as those which younger cats enjoy. If your cat doesn't respond to catnip, try honeysuckle spray or silver vine. When using a puzzle feeder, remember to account for all the food inside the puzzle feeder when allocating your cats daily nutrition allowances. This article has been viewed 4,586 times. For full details on how we process and protect your personal information, see our Privacy Policy. Toy treat dispensers are another option to keep your cat using her brain while being rewarded with food. Discover which cat toys games your feline friend might like, and how they are great sources of exercise. Article wasn't very helpful and needs improvement. You can find catnip toys and sprays at most pet food stores, but fresh, homegrown catnip might be your best option. This may be fine when theyre little, but as those weapons become larger, it can cause damage and pain. Like television for cats, a bird feeder will bring new (and tempting) creatures into your cat's line of sight. For instance, use a wand toy but keep it slithering on the floor or hovering only inches above it rather than lifting it up higher into the air. Before we get started, we just need your consent to send you Pet Club communications. Have some old fabric you can sew into a ball? 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