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Cats need exercise in order to be at their healthiest. That’s a fact that we’re sure you know if you’re a cat owner, however, you may not always know how long you should be playing with them or even how to play with them properly. Fret not, that’s where we come in.
How long to play with a cat can depend on a few factors, such as their energy levels and if they are an indoor or outdoor cat, but in general, you should play with your cats for around 45 minutes per day, but some cats may need more or less playtime. In this article, we’ll look at the importance of playing with your cats as well as how you can play with them to make sure that they stay engaged, content, and healthy.
How to Play With Your Cat
All cats are different and what one cat likes to play with, another cat may not. And some cats may like to play more “lazily,” while some cats are always super active and energetic. You may have to experiment with a variety of different toys to find one your cat likes that also matches their energy level.
For example, active cats may prefer a toy that they can chase around the house, such as a remote-controlled or battery-operated mouse. Plus, these toys allow your cat to practice their hunting skills as well. But some cats may like a simpler feather wand that you can hold and they can just bat at.
Remember that even if you can’t play with your cat often, you at least need to have toys that your cat can play with when you’re not around. Having toys that they can bat around or cat trees with hanging toys that allow them to jump or climb can help keep your cat entertained while you’re not at home. Puzzle feeders also provide great solo entertainment for your cat – however, you should be mindful of the calories that treats can contribute to your cat’s total nutritional intake.
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The 4 Reasons Why Playing With Your Cat Is Important
Playing with cats has many benefits for their mental and physical well-being, but it can benefit you as well. Let’s look at some reasons why you should play with your cat.
1. Exercise
The first reason why playing with your cat is important is because play helps them get exercise. Exercise is important for all animals because it helps them maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy weight.
The unfortunate reality is that the prevalence of obesity in pet cats is on the rise. A study published in 1994 estimated that around 29% of cats were considered obese 1. However, a more recent published study which looked at the prevalence of obesity from the years 2006–2015 estimated this figure to be at around 41% 2. Estimates as recent as 2023 have mentioned that up to 60% of pet cats may be overweight or obese.
Being overweight or obese can lead to several serious health issues in your cat.
- Certain cancers
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Chronic, persistent low grade inflammation
- Osteoarthritis
For cats, being obese is considered a disease in itself, and it can definitely have a negative impact on your cat’s life expectancy.
2. Stress Relief
Another reason that you should play with your cat is that it may, in some cases, help your cat to relieve stress.
- Territory issues
- Other animals in the home
- A new baby/person in the home
- Changes in their normal routine
Being stressed can also lead to spraying, problems using the litter box, or other health conditions. But playtime is a way for some cats to relieve some of that stress.
3. Reduce Boredom
The third reason you should play with your cat is to keep them entertained and prevent boredom. Even the “laziest” of cats can get bored sometimes; and the notion that cats are lazy is a misconception. A cat that’s lazy is likely bored because they have nothing else to do. Such cats also tend to overeat. You can help relieve boredom by playing with your cat so that they stay stimulated and healthy.
4. Bonding
Finally, playing with your cat is important because it can help the two of you form a stronger bond. If you play with your cat, you’re giving your cat attention, and they’ll be more willing to sit with you, let you pet or brush them, etc. Having a strong bond with your cat can reduce stress and anxiety in you as well.
How Long Should You Play With Your Cat?
There are mixed opinions about this, but most veterinarians and feline behavior specialists seem to agree that cats need between 30 and 60 minutes of playtime per day. In general, 45 minutes of playtime should be suitable for most adult cats, but younger or older cats may need more or less depending on their energy level. Also, cats that stay indoors will generally need more exercise than cats that go outdoors.
With that being said, we all have busy lives, and between working, taking care of things around the house, and sleeping, we don’t always have time to play with our cats. You can break up playtime in a way that fits your schedule. You can do multiple 10-minute sessions, two 20-minute sessions, etc., and shorter play sessions are anecdotally considered better for your cat by some because they claim that their pets only get playful in short bursts anyway.
It’s also worth noting that if you can’t play with your cat one day, that’s okay. However, it’s important that your cat has plenty of toys to play with to keep themselves entertained when you can’t play with them.
What if Your Cat Is Overweight or Has a Medical Condition?
If you think your cat is overweight or obese, DO NOT attempt to make them lose weight by withholding food. The physiology of fasting in cats is entirely different from that of humans – a cat that’s forced to fast can quickly develop life threatening complications, such as hepatic lipidosis (a liver issue).
Having a cat that is overweight or that has another medical condition is one instance in which you may not need to exercise with your cat for the full 60 minutes. More specifically, your cat might run out of “puff” if you exert them at once while they’re overweight. This is akin to an unfit person doing too much on the first day at a gym and crashing their bodies.
But cats that are overweight or obese still need exercise, and exercise can actually help their medical condition as long as they don’t overdo it. They just may not be able to exercise as much or for as long as healthy adult cats.
This is a case in which you need to consult with your vet about how much and what type of exercise is appropriate for your cat, depending on their medical condition. You don’t want to overwork your cat, which can worsen some conditions. And you want to watch your cat closely during playtime for anything out of the ordinary, such as rapid breathing or struggling to breathe, and take a break, if necessary. Your veterinarian will also help you formulate a meal plan that helps your cat slowly lose weight over a sensible period of time.
For exceptionally obese cats, the services of an animal physiotherapist might be necessary; these individuals are trained to ensure your cat can get their exercise in a safe way. A cat behaviorist or trainer may also be needed, as cats in particular are very prone to objecting when their feeding schedules are altered.
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Final Thoughts
Playtime is an essential part of caring for a cat, and both your cat and you will benefit from playing with your cat. Playtime can help increase bonding between the two of you, but it can also provide your cat with exercise, entertainment, and possible stress relief. Around 45 minutes of exercise per day, broken up into smaller sessions, is acceptable for most healthy adult cats, but even if you can’t play with them for a full 45 minutes every day, make sure they have suitable toys that they can play with by themselves as well.
Featured Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock
