Here at Humboldt Pet Supply we know how important a cat’s weight is to maintaining overall health and, on the flip side, we also know it’s also not the easiest thing to keep in check. Before you know it, your pretty kitty is a little too fluffy and in need of some weight loss. Of course, diet is most important when it comes to weight maintenance for animals, but exercise goes a long way in keep your cute kitty looking trim and healthy. So, here we have a list of ways you can get that chubby pet moving.

String Them Along

Before you can get your cat moving, you have to catch their attention. Natural hunters, cats instinctively like to chase toys and play, which mimics actual hunting. A soft plush or feather attached to a string and wand will drive most cats wild as they try to catch and hold the dangling target. Since you’ll be the one doing the dangling, you can easily vary how you play with your cat, so that they don’t get tired of the same routine.

Laser Guidance

Want something that is harder to catch than a wand toy? Drive your cat up the wall—literally—as they leap and soar for the little red dot. And it actually doesn’t have to be a red laser; cats have poor color vision, so what they’re really looking at is the movement. As mentioned before, hunting instincts are strong in cats, so this little moving dot is all that’s needed to get them on the chase.

Recyclable Recreation

Sometimes cats can be finicky and not find any of your meticulously-picked, store-bought toys the least bit interesting, but accidentally drop a hair tie and the cat crowd goes wild! Many household items can be repurposed to get your kitty playing. An empty box, paper bag, or even scraps of crumbled paper can provide hours of playtime. Simple paper clips and the aforementioned hair ties will be dragged across the house as cats try to unlock their mysterious secrets.

Cat Trees and Towers

Of course, cat trees make the coolest hangout spots, but they also double as a climbable obstacle course. Cats love being in high places so having something they can climb regularly will get them extra physical movement. Making it a game where they run up and down the tree will get those muscles working. Stack some empty boxes and you have a cat fortress ready for exploration.

Take It Outside

If your cat is an outdoor cat, it probably has all the exercise it needs, but it may do an indoor cat some good to get out there! If you don’t feel comfortable suddenly thrusting your cat out into a new unfamiliar world, try going for walks while in a cat harness. This way, your cat can see the world and still be close to you.