Question For Cat Owners

[ChristisKing]

Do any of you have issues exercising your cat/getting them to play? We got a middle aged feline right now who sleeps most of the day but I still try to exercise her as much as possible.


Whenever she does play she'll usually either sit or lay in one spot and bat at it as I rarely ever manage to get her to chase it anymore.


Tonight I just got lucky as this is the first time that I got her chasing the toy a bit in many years. It was so much fun that it made me realize how much I missed playing with her.


So, I was wondering if any of you who have cats with the same issue. Remarkably she isn't overweight and she often bats at some toys herself, but she doesn't get that true exercise she got when she was younger when she would be flying around the house.


I don't expect that out of her now as she's approaching her senior years next year, but I also know that she should be well exercised as playing with your cat is as important as walking your dog. Although I do also have to go slow with her since she has a heart murmur.

 

[Freedomisneverfree]

Whether they are newborn or grown up, cats can sleep 10-15 hours a day. The younger you start them, the easier they understand "play"" Some cats just chill and sleep especially older cats.

 

[Moonglow]

underproductive cats.
Spending time with your cat, playing with them, varying their puzzle toys, providing high
perches for them, helping them “hunt” for meals, teaching them tricks (yes, really!) and allowing them to watch the world from a window can all help to stimulate an indoor cat.Apr 26, 2022

How to entertain and stimulate your indoor cat - Napo Pet Insurance​

 

[Leo123]

Do any of you have issues exercising your cat/getting them to play? We got a middle aged feline right now who sleeps most of the day but I still try to exercise her as much as possible.


Whenever she does play she'll usually either sit or lay in one spot and bat at it as I rarely ever manage to get her to chase it anymore.


Tonight I just got lucky as this is the first time that I got her chasing the toy a bit in many years. It was so much fun that it made me realize how much I missed playing with her.


So, I was wondering if any of you who have cats with the same issue. Remarkably she isn't overweight and she often bats at some toys herself, but she doesn't get that true exercise she got when she was younger when she would be flying around the house.


I don't expect that out of her now as she's approaching her senior years next year, but I also know that she should be well exercised as playing with your cat is as important as walking your dog. Although I do also have to go slow with her since she has a heart murmur.

Sounds like your kitty may be in pain. Take her to a vet for a checkup, they have meds for pain if needed.

 

[sparky]

~S~

 

[ChristisKing]

Whether they are newborn or grown up, cats can sleep 10-15 hours a day. The younger you start them, the easier they understand "play"" Some cats just chill and sleep especially older cats.

As I said before, she used to play all the time when she was younger. She's just getting older and feeling her age.

Sounds like your kitty may be in pain. Take her to a vet, they have meds for pain if needed.

She was just at the vet for her annual appointment and she checked out just fine.

 

[Moonglow]

As I said before, she used to play all the time when she was younger. She's just getting older and feeling her age.



She was just at the vet for her annual appointment and she checked out just fine.

You must not be any fun for the cat.

 

[Moonglow]

What is lazy cat syndrome?


Lethargy is defined as; “a pathological state of sleepiness or deep unresponsiveness and inactivity.” Lethargy is a common complaint we hear from pet owners when their cat is sick. Signs of lethargy in cats include playing less, hiding or shying away from human contact, eating less and not grooming itself properly.

My Cat is Lethargic: What's Causing It? - Properties Animal Clinic​

 

[toobfreak]

Do any of you have issues exercising your cat/getting them to play? We got a middle aged feline right now who sleeps most of the day but I still try to exercise her as much as possible.
Whenever she does play she'll usually either sit or lay in one spot and bat at it as I rarely ever manage to get her to chase it anymore.
Tonight I just got lucky as this is the first time that I got her chasing the toy a bit in many years. It was so much fun that it made me realize how much I missed playing with her.

I assume you mean a cat in the 5-8 year old range.
My first thought is weight, but you say not the case.
My next thought is diet.
My next thought is health problem. Maybe you should discuss this with your vet.
My final thought is environment. All of my cats were allowed outside freely. But not everyone lives in a place where it is safe to roam outside.
It could be something as simple as boredom, and maybe the cat just needs a switch in environment, a change of pace, new toys, something exciting to do, maybe a new cat to play with? Cats like a place where they sit up high and can look down.
Or maybe your cat is just a dull fuddy-duddy.

One of my old cats used to get really rouled up when the gas company man used to come to read the gas meter. They used to bang on the garage door yelling: "GAS MAN!" Bang! Bang! Bang! My cat used to run to the cellar door looking downstairs with eyes as big as silver dollars.

I had a wand with a feather bird on the end of a long string. My cats really loved to play with that.

Another thing that sets them off is a red laser pointer, just be sure never to shine it at their eyes. Just don't overuse it. Soon as they realize they can never catch the thing, they grow tired of it. Cats need a cycle of suspense, success and victory.

 

[Darkwind]

Do any of you have issues exercising your cat/getting them to play? We got a middle aged feline right now who sleeps most of the day but I still try to exercise her as much as possible.


Whenever she does play she'll usually either sit or lay in one spot and bat at it as I rarely ever manage to get her to chase it anymore.


Tonight I just got lucky as this is the first time that I got her chasing the toy a bit in many years. It was so much fun that it made me realize how much I missed playing with her.


So, I was wondering if any of you who have cats with the same issue. Remarkably she isn't overweight and she often bats at some toys herself, but she doesn't get that true exercise she got when she was younger when she would be flying around the house.


I don't expect that out of her now as she's approaching her senior years next year, but I also know that she should be well exercised as playing with your cat is as important as walking your dog. Although I do also have to go slow with her since she has a heart murmur.

Have you tried a laser pointer? I've found that any cats I've owned over the years, that don't play with physical toys much, will in fact, chase a red dot all over the room.

Not that it will address your problem now, but I've always had more than just one cat. They tumble, play, fight, and pretty much keep their hunting skills sharp on each other.

With two or more cats, they always get enough exercise.

 

[ChristisKing]

I assume you mean a cat in the 5-8 year old range.
My first thought is weight, but you say not the case.
My next thought is diet.
My next thought is health problem. Maybe you should discuss this with your vet.
My final thought is environment. All of my cats were allowed outside freely. But not everyone lives in a place where it is safe to roam outside.
It could be something as simple as boredom, and maybe the cat just needs a switch in environment, a change of pace, new toys, something exciting to do, maybe a new cat to play with? Cats like a place where they sit up high and can look down.
Or maybe your cat is just a dull fuddy-duddy.

Unfortunately she can't be an indoor/outdoor cat because of traffic and coyotes. The vet said her diet is great and she just passed her annual health exam with flying colors and she can't get up too high because she has short little legs and no grace whatsoever. She's the first cat that I've seen sliding down off the couch like a toddler because of this.

Have you tried a laser pointer? I've found that any cats I've owned over the years, that don't play with physical toys much, will in fact, chase a red dot all over the room.

Nope! Even back when she was a furry ball of energy she wouldn't ever chase something that she couldn't catch. She was always way too smart for that.

 

[Concerned American]

Do any of you have issues exercising your cat/getting them to play? We got a middle aged feline right now who sleeps most of the day but I still try to exercise her as much as possible.


Whenever she does play she'll usually either sit or lay in one spot and bat at it as I rarely ever manage to get her to chase it anymore.


Tonight I just got lucky as this is the first time that I got her chasing the toy a bit in many years. It was so much fun that it made me realize how much I missed playing with her.


So, I was wondering if any of you who have cats with the same issue. Remarkably she isn't overweight and she often bats at some toys herself, but she doesn't get that true exercise she got when she was younger when she would be flying around the house.


I don't expect that out of her now as she's approaching her senior years next year, but I also know that she should be well exercised as playing with your cat is as important as walking your dog. Although I do also have to go slow with her since she has a heart murmur.

Get her a catnip toy.

 

[Darkwind]

Unfortunately she can't be an indoor/outdoor cat because of traffic and coyotes. The vet said her diet is great and she just passed her annual health exam with flying colors and she can't get up too high because she has short little legs and no grace whatsoever. She's the first cat that I've seen sliding down off the couch like a toddler because of this.




Nope! Even back when she was a furry ball of energy she wouldn't ever chase something that she couldn't catch. She was always way too smart for that.

Well, thats a shame. I've spent lots of hours with My cats and pointers. But then, all My cats love them and they play with each other enough that I know they are getting the exercise they need.

Though I'll admit, Smalls is beginning to worry Me as he gets a bit 'round' around the midsection.

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

Do any of you have issues exercising your cat/getting them to play? We got a middle aged feline right now who sleeps most of the day but I still try to exercise her as much as possible.


Whenever she does play she'll usually either sit or lay in one spot and bat at it as I rarely ever manage to get her to chase it anymore.


Tonight I just got lucky as this is the first time that I got her chasing the toy a bit in many years. It was so much fun that it made me realize how much I missed playing with her.


So, I was wondering if any of you who have cats with the same issue. Remarkably she isn't overweight and she often bats at some toys herself, but she doesn't get that true exercise she got when she was younger when she would be flying around the house.


I don't expect that out of her now as she's approaching her senior years next year, but I also know that she should be well exercised as playing with your cat is as important as walking your dog. Although I do also have to go slow with her since she has a heart murmur.

Do you feed the cat once a day , all day, or twice a day?

 

[ChristisKing]

Get her a catnip toy.

She's got some already.

Do you feed the cat once a day , all day, or twice a day?

Dry food once a day and wet food twice a day. She gets fed in the morning and in the afternoon.

 

[toobfreak]

The vet said her diet is great and she just passed her annual health exam with flying colors and she can't get up too high because she has short little legs and no grace whatsoever.

Maybe try a new food. There are some great foods out there now. She might like a new switch of pace if you can try a few samples of different foods. Also try some cat snacks. Catnip is an occasional possibility, it is a drug to them. Some cats flip out on the stuff, others barely react. Also, a squeaky toy might be good. Cats often like things that squeak.

She's the first cat that I've seen sliding down off the couch like a toddler because of this.

Maybe change up how you treat the cat. Change how you play with her, stimulate her--- tell her if she don't liven up, you'll replace her with a dog. There was never a dull day with my cats, I made every day different and a new challenge to them. Maybe get a cardboard dog cutout and place it across the house and start barking. Chase the cat, make odd sounds, annoy it, don't give it a choice of whether it will be active or not, but still be her best friend. If the cat is not overweight, ill, old or in pain, then it must be getting complacent and lazy. How are her ears? Can she hear OK? No cat ever got sedentary with me, I made sure of that. Without scaring or traumatizing the cat, I made sure to always expect the unexpected from me and that I was boss and that anything goes. I am very physical with my cats.

Cats also like hiding places, things to sit in (like cardboard game board box lids) and big paper bags to run and hide in. Make life exciting. Do you have a cat carrier? You might even occasionally take her with you somewhere new and exciting, other than the vet.

You might even try a cat treadmill or other form of exercise.

The 5 Best Cat Exercise Wheels: Tested & Reviewed - Cats.com

Looking for the best cat exercise wheel on the market? After extensive research and testing, we've chosen these products as the best you can buy.

cats.com

Lastly, you might take the cat out on a leash if she is agreeable to that, this way you can walk her, exercize her, expose her to exciting outdoor sounds and new places without risking her getting hit by a car or eaten by a coyote.

Last suggestion: get another cat. Most of my cats were adoptees from the wild. I tamed them, brought them in, saved them. Once they realized what an opportunity their new home was, they really appreciated it and the new cat was a new friend for the other cat. They can be same age or basically a kitten, then your current cat becomes mom and has a new job helping to raise baby.

Or maybe your cat is just being her normal self and is just a low energy cat. Is she an orange tabby?

You could also try a different vet, a specialist. Maybe they will have a new insight. Not every health problem is apparent to the average vet. Cats are very good at concealing pain.

 

[ChristisKing]

Maybe try a new food. There are some great foods out there now. She might like a new switch of pace if you can try a few samples of different foods. Also try some cat snacks. Catnip is an occasional possibility, it is a drug to them. Some cats flip out on the stuff, others barely react. Also, a squeaky toy might be good. Cats often like things that squeak.


Maybe change up how you treat the cat. Change how you play with her, stimulate her--- tell her if she don't liven up, you'll replace her with a dog. There was never a dull day with my cats, I made every day different and a new challenge to them. Maybe get a cardboard dog cutout and place it across the house and start barking. Chase the cat, make odd sounds, annoy it, don't give it a choice of whether it will be active or not, but still be her best friend. If the cat is not overweight, ill, old or in pain, then it must be getting complacent and lazy. How are her ears? Can she hear OK? No cat ever got sedentary with me, I made sure of that. Without scaring or traumatizing the cat, I made sure to always expect the unexpected from me and that I was boss and that anything goes. I am very physical with my cats.

Cats also like hiding places, things to sit in (like cardboard game board box lids) and big paper bags to run and hide in. Make life exciting. Do you have a cat carrier? You might even occasionally take her with you somewhere new and exciting, other than the vet.

You might even try a cat treadmill or other form of exercise.

The 5 Best Cat Exercise Wheels: Tested & Reviewed - Cats.com

Looking for the best cat exercise wheel on the market? After extensive research and testing, we've chosen these products as the best you can buy.

cats.com

Lastly, you might take the cat out on a leash if she is agreeable to that, this way you can walk her, exercize her, expose her to exciting outdoor sounds and new places without risking her getting hit by a car or eaten by a coyote.

Last suggestion: get another cat. Most of my cats were adoptees from the wild. I tamed them, brought them in, saved them. Once they realized what an opportunity their new home was, they really appreciated it and the new cat was a new friend for the other cat. They can be same age or basically a kitten, then your current cat becomes mom and has a new job helping to raise baby.

Or maybe your cat is just being her normal self and is just a low energy cat. Is she an orange tabby?

You could also try a different vet, a specialist. Maybe they will have a new insight. Not every health problem is apparent to the average vet. Cats are very good at concealing pain.

Lots of ideas there but I think that she's just lazy although she does like boxes and bags. I don't think that she would walk well on a leash though and we don't want a door dasher.

 

[Concerned American]

Lots of ideas there but I think that she's just lazy although she does like boxes and bags. I don't think that she would walk well on a leash though and we don't want a door dasher.

My brother had a de-clawed cat and he would put it on a leash and attach it to the old umbrella style rotating clothes line and it would walk around the clothes line post.

 

[toobfreak]

Lots of ideas there but I think that she's just lazy

I would cut down on her food. You say you feed her three times a day. Maybe stop feeding her and make her come to you begging for food first before feeding. Let her go hungry for a few hours even after she makes it known she is hungry. Hunger has a way of perking a cat up. A lean cat is a good cat. Being fed regularly three times a day might just be too much. I would also look at cat vitamins.

Do you ever give her any fresh meat?

 

[ChristisKing]

My brother had a de-clawed cat and he would put it on a leash and attach it to the old umbrella style rotating clothes line and it would walk around the clothes line post.
View attachment 1018421

Well that's neat but did he declaw the cat or get it that way?

I would cut down on her food. You say you feed her three times a day. Maybe stop feeding her and make her come to you begging for food first before feeding. Let her go hungry for a few hours even after she makes it known she is hungry. Hunger has a way of perking a cat up. A lean cat is a good cat. Being fed regularly three times a day might just be too much. I would also look at cat vitamins.

Do you ever give her any fresh meat?

I said that she gets fed twice a day. Both in the morning and in the afternoon of both dry and wet food. Oh and as for getting another cat, she's getting older now and I don't think that she would adapt to that as easily.