Cat-Play & How I Encourage Blue to Get Active

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

One of the more challenging tasks I’ve faced with Blue includes finding new and enticing ways of improving her activity levels. I joke that she’s old but truthfully she’s only about 11 and although she’s not exactly a spry chicken anymore, she’s still young enough to indulge in some cat-play. Over the years, Blue has developed a few mobility issues and joint pain, early signs of onset arthritis according to our vet, so delaying that by keeping her moving is one of our main goals.

There is never a shortage of toys or climbing equipment in our house – many of them are still in mint condition because Blue hasn’t done any more than stare them down until she decides, nah not for me. She and I have created a bit of a routine now though and if you also have a feline who could benefit from more exercise, I suggest you give our method a try!

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of her workout regime, there’s one vital step that must be done to really motivate her. I’m sure many of you can relate and get a sense of where I’m leading …

The Catnip Catalyst

Our workouts always begin with catnip—dried, organic flakes straight from the jar. Sprinkled generously on our laminate flooring (hard flooring is a must!). We’ve tested many kinds of catnip – infused toys, sprays, fresh, etc. Although she does thoroughly enjoy it in all of its forms, each fosters independent play where flakes are proven to get her amped up for a true one-on-one session.

From here she’ll take her time sniffing and licking. Rolling around so that it becomes embedded in her fur. My theory is she likes to carry the scent with her so can enjoy it for as long as possible. Not sure how much truth there is to that but whatever her reason though, it seems to be working. She’ll have a good few minutes stretching out her body, crucial for providing joint relief after long, curled-up naps.  her to carry on for as long as wants and then give her a few minutes to space out and relax. Catnip can have quite an effect on her.

Choosing a Cat Toy

The type of toys we reach for differs each time we have a play session. Sometimes we use a feather wand and I have her stalk it along the lowest level of our Hi-Lo scratcher. The claws get a workout, there’s a bit more muscle activity. On other days we use shiny foil balls, playing pass back and forth. Most times, I sit beside her with one of our feather wand attachments to tease her with. Holding it high and then dragging it across the floor. This is what keeps her engaged for the longest amount of time. She’ll even snatch it away from me so she can get in a furious bunny kick. We continue our cycle until Blue’s no longer interested.

Additional Tips To Promote Cat-Play

Blue and I have found a groove for play-sessions through trial and error and not all days look the same. Anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes is about enough for her to feel satisfied and ready for a snooze. It is important to me that our cat-plays are cat-lead. Blue decides what she’s into for the day and when it’s time to call it quits. My goal is to keep it fun and light for her so she remains interested in her toys instead of being bothered by them. As I spoke about in a previous blog post, she’s finding more and more enjoyment in being outdoors, another great way to promote physical activity.

What kind of activities do you do with your cat to keep them active and entertained?