One of the most important things you can do when you are feeling cold and your joints are stiff and sore is to stay active and keep moving. According to Dr. Guy Fyvie of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the quote “We don’t stop moving because we grow old; we grow old because we stop moving” has never been more true, and it applies not only to humans but also to our cats. Exercise for cats and humans is important and offers many benefits.
Like the rest of South Africans, Capetonians, and their cats love the sun. Many of us choose to “hibernate” indoors during the colder months, which means less exercise and more overindulgence in delicious food.
Dr. Fyvie says that this behavior affects the mobility of both humans and cats, because when we move less, so do they. When we treat ourselves, we tend to treat those we love too, and that includes our cats.
Like humans, cats also suffer when they are inactive, causing cartilage to shrink and stiffen, reducing joint mobility. Moving your joints keeps the fluid around them flowing and lubricated. The more you exercise the muscles around a joint, the more stable they will become, resulting in less pain and stiffness.
The reason behind mobility issues and arthritis in cats
Joint cartilage progressively deteriorates with age. Although some cat breeds are more likely to develop arthritis, trauma to the cartilage can also lead to the condition.
The solution to healthy joints in cats
If your cat has been diagnosed with arthritis or struggles to move around, it is important to ensure they have an exercise routine in place throughout the year. Not only will this help maintain their mobility and enhance their quality of life, but it will also help to control their weight, as excess weight puts stress on joints and cartilage.
The food we feed our cats can also have an impact on their joint health and mobility. A raw food diet is the most optimal diet for cats and is thought to be helpful in lowering the risk of obesity and diseases including diabetes. A true BARF diet (biologically appropriate raw foods) aims to resemble a wild diet as much as possible to provide cats with all of these essential nutrients. But the raw food diet may not be ideal for every cat. Hill’s Prescription Diet Mobility is a dry food alternative that has been extensively researched and developed to address a variety of mobility concerns in pets, including age, trauma, and weight gain.
Doctor’s orders: Incorporate movement and exercise into your cat’s life
Dr. Fyvie provides 4 steps to incorporate exercise for cats and humans into our daily routines:
- It is essential to have a daily 20-minute play session with your cat. The exercise will be therapeutic for both you and your cat. With time as the only requirement, anything is possible.
- Cats are attracted to the chase. As predators, the chase is a way for cats to practice their hunting skills and get exercise. It is also a way for them to release pent-up energy. Cats who do not get enough exercise may become bored and destructive. Providing them with toys that simulate the chase, such as laser pointers or feather wands, can help to keep them entertained and happy.
- Look for fun games to play with cats or create a riveting interactive indoor obstacle course for your cat using household items like cushions, cardboard boxes, and tunnels. Encourage your cats to navigate through the course or guide them to climb and explore. This not only provides physical activity but also stimulates their minds, keeping them engaged and entertained. You’ll love watching them make their way through the course, and running beside them while they do it will get some of your daily steps in too.
- Don’t forget to reward your precious pussy and pamper yourself with treats for cats and humans. Don’t overdo it, but do it! You both deserve it.
