Exercising a Senior Indoor Cat

[GranolaLouise]

My Vet said "get her to eat" So she eats, and eats and eats. She has gone from 8 lbs to 11.3 and her pouch is hanging rather low!
She used to like the feather wand, but seems to have lost interest and just looks and walks away.
The only exercise she gets is when she has the zoomies while on catnip!
She hates the lazer, and most other toys unless it contains treats or catnip!
What to do?
How do YOU get your senior cat to exercise?

 

[ArtNJ]

If they don't want to play anymore, I pretty much pet them and let them be. I mean, you can always try a different type of toy/kicker/automated thingy, and food puzzles will generate some activity. But I think its generally more realistic to try and manage the food side of things and prevent or manage obesity.

 

[FeebysOwner]

No reason that I know of not to use the catnip if that makes her move around a bit more. You really can't get a cat to exercise unless it is on their own terms, and apparently her terms involve catnip.

I don't know what you feed or how much, but usually just cutting the overall amount by 5-10% may be enough to help slim her down a bit without her feeling deprived. I would start with just 5%, which would mean that a cat that is eating 200 calories a day, would have their intake reduced by 10 calories. More wet food and less dry food can be beneficial as well because dry is almost always more calorie laden.

Getting a cat to lose some weight is a marathon, not a sprint. And taking it slowly will help them adjust to that little reduction in food, both physically and mentally. After some time has passed, you can always reduce the overall amount again by another 5%. Weighing her monthly to see if there is progress would be helpful too.

Was the weigh in at the vets? If so, what did they have to say after telling you to get her to eat more? Do they have an opinion on what an appropriate weight would be for her? A lot of vets just seem to default to the '10 pound' number, but some cats can handle weighing a bit more. My vet told me 11 pounds was probably a more fitting weight for my cat. The primordial pouch is really not much of an indicator of whether or not a cat is overweight and isn't likely to go down by much even with some weight loss.

 

[savannahjansson]

I totally get where you're coming from; getting a senior cat to exercise can be a bit tricky. It's great that you've been encouraging her to eat, but exercise is crucial too, especially as cats age.

One thing you might want to try is interactive play. I've found that toys like feather wands and fishing rod toys can grab a senior cat's attention. Sometimes, it's about engaging with them during playtime to keep them interested.

Also, consider treat puzzle toys. Since your cat likes toys with treats, these can be a hit. They provide mental stimulation and get them moving a bit.

Cat trees and scratching posts can be a good addition to your home. Cats love climbing and stretching, and having an elevated spot to perch and observe the world can be appealing.

If she's into treats, try rotating her toys every few days to keep things fresh and exciting.

And as someone else mentioned, sometimes, a playful feline companion can be a great motivator for exercise.

The key is to be patient and find what clicks with your cat. Every cat is unique, so it might take some trial and error. But with some creativity and love, you can help her stay active and healthy in her senior years. Good luck!

 

[GranolaLouise]

I was hesitant in using the catnip often because I read that the cat can become used to it and it will have no effect if used more than once a week.(although I think that is rather extreme).I put catnip on her toys like the stuffed mice and she goes bonkers. But that's about it.
I do weigh her on a baby scale here at home and this week was 11.3 which was the same as her physical last month.They don;t say anything about losing weight, but I can see a difference in the way she 'waddles' and the size of her pouch. But I can feel her frame because of the muscle mass loss because of age.
The only dry food she gets are 2 calorie treats which she gets a lot of during the day out of boredom.
She gets 1 churu a day as well and won;t let me go without reminding me on the dot of Churu Time.
I want to maintain her 11 lb weight.

 

[Alldara]

Do you have carpeting? My senior stopped playing because he stopped feeling secure about running on slippery surfaces.

 

[GranolaLouise]

Both! She loves carpets especially.