Does your cat get enough exercise? The answer to this question is relatively simple to determine. If he is not overweight and is very agile then yes, he probably does get enough exercise. But what if he is overweight?
Depending on the breed, a healthy adult cat should weigh about 7 to 10 pounds. Barring old age and various other health problems, your cat should be able to jump up on the couch or the window sill without any trouble. His belly should not hang close to the floor when he walks. He should have plenty of energy and be vibrant. If your cat does not get enough exercise he is more susceptible to a number of illnesses.
- Any cat that is overweight is more susceptible to diabetes mellitus. This is more often controlled with food intake and medication. However, when an overweight cat develops diabetes, he must exercise to reduce weight and prevent complications.
- Arthritis is another disease that is detrimental to a cat´s health. If he is overweight, then he probably isn´t moving around as much as he should. This makes it easier for arthritis to set in. Once this happens, your cat probably won´t be able to get up and down on his favorite perches like the window sill or the dryer.
- The combination of diseases and things going on with an overweight cat is a problem for his mental health as well. He can become depressed and distraught. He could eventually lose interest even in his favorite toys and family members.
Exercise is an important habit to instill in your pet from kittenhood. Proper diet and exercise can keep him from gaining weight, getting sick, and possibly prevent him from becoming depressed.
