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Keeping Fit & Healthy

Play is very important to your cat. In fact, playing with him is one of the most enjoyable things about owning one. It also offers great health benefits too.

Why cats play

Your cat’s playful behaviour can be both adorable and at times a little bit frustrating. But playing with your cat will encourage him to express his natural hunting instinct at the same time as maintaining a great body condition.

Benefits of exercise

• Play with your pet before you go to bed so your cat will be ready to sleep when you are.
• Toys are fun, but interactive play is also entertaining and one of the best ways to keep your cat healthy and responsive to you.
• Always make some toys available to your cat
• Solitary cats may play more roughly with their owners. They only have you to play with and need to learn to control playful nips and scratches.
• Set aside time for at least two good play sessions a day.
• A cat is naturally far more interested in a toy if it is wiggling under a sofa or a cabinet, has just hidden under a mat, or makes sudden darting movements. Make the toy behave as a mouse would!

Playing with your cat

The best games are those involving toys. Use feathers or cloth strips dangling from sticks, catnip-filled mice, or wind-up toys. If you’re stuck for toy ideas, here are a few simple ideas for turning everyday household objects into entertaining toys.

• A bucket filled with crumpled paper or ping-pong balls can make a useful distraction.
• Leave a large paper bag on the floor for diving into and ripping to pieces.
• Some cats enjoy chasing and jumping at the light beams from a small flashlight.
• Once you've finished, put the toy out of sight to keep things exciting when you bring it out again. Your cat's favourite games will probably be a playful variation of their natural hunting instincts

Redirecting playful aggression

If your cat is keen on attacking your ankles, feeding makes a useful distraction. Or another playmate might help. But then again, you might end up with two predators instead of one!

Catnip heaven

Catnip can really spice up your play sessions. This is a natural herb and completely safe. Most cats go wild for catnip.

Some Cats Are More Active Than Others

Some breeds of cat have a reputation for being asleep much of the time, whilst others are traditionally a good deal more energetic. Cats are like people when it comes to exercise: some are simply more active than others.

House cats tend to take on their owner's schedule of sleeping at night and being awake throughout the day with the odd catnap in between. However, if your kitten seems to sleep all the time, should you be worried?

It may be that your cat is just plain lazy. Inactive cats make great lap cats and are far less mischievous. As long as they are physically healthy, quiet cats are perfectly normal. To get your cat to be more active, you could try bringing home new toys or playing a new game.

If you're still worried, take your cat to the vet for a thorough physical examination. Even subtle problems, such as arthritis or upper respiratory diseases, can make cats seem lethargic.

Remember, as long as your cat is physically healthy and maintains a correct weight, the particular level of activity is unimportant. However, fat cats aren't healthy cats. Exercise will help control your cat's weight. So keep up activity levels, invest in some toys, an indoor climbing frame or even a scratching post.

A cat's home and social environment are also important in encouraging activity.

• Does your home contain many structures to climb or jump onto?
• Do you put away your cat's toys after play sessions, so their reappearance is always irresistible?

These little things will make a big difference

Signs of a normal and healthy cat

You live with your cat day in and day out. So you are the best person to judge if he’s acting normal. Here are a few things you can look out for.

Eyes: Should be bright and clear without any discharge.
Ears: Should be clean and free from discharge, odour or redness.
Nose: Should be clean and free from sores.
Mouth: Gums should be pink or black with teeth free from tartar or plaque. Bad breath can be a sign of health problems.
Coat: Shiny and clean
Weight: Active playful cats are rarely overweight. But just in case, ask your vet for nutritional advice.
Litter box habits: Changes in litter box habits and quality of urine or stools could indicate health problems.

GROOMING

Cats are designed to look after their own coats. Their rough tongues are like mini-brushes, removing dead hair and distributing oils through the coat. However, they still need a helping hand.

Grooming isn't just about making your cat look good; it removes dead hair, keeps the coat healthy and helps you build a bond

Brushing

Even if it isn't yet required, it's still a good idea to get your cat used to being groomed. The good news is that cats usually love being groomed. Most will even come running when they see you have their brush.

Brushing Up – A few tips

• When your cat is on your lap, start brushing gently.
• After just two minutes, stop brushing and start stroking again.
• Repeat several times a day, increasing the brushing time.
• If your cat attempts to bite or swipe the brush, turn away but don't let go. Cats hate to be ignored and soon learn that attacking the brush loses your attention.
• When your pet is familiar with the sensation of being groomed (after about five days), start to groom the belly, tail, ears and other sensitive areas.
• While he is relaxed and enjoying the experience, touch his feet and examine his nails and toes. Look inside your pet's ears and gently open the mouth to examine the teeth and gums.
• Always end a grooming session with a good fuss and a stroke.

General Weekly Checks

• Check your cat’s ears. They should be clean and fresh-smelling
• Run your hands all over your cat's body. Are there any scratches, lumps or bumps?
• Check the eyes and nose - and contact your vet if you notice any discharge.
• Check under your cat's tail. The rear end should be clean and healthy looking.
• Run your hand against the direction of the coat, to fluff the hair up. Check the hair roots and skin for signs of parasites or flea dirt (black specks)

Bathing

Most short-haired cats go through their lives without being bathed. However, there may be times when they need a dip. Long-coated breeds and show cats are bathed quite frequently, so get them used to an occasional warm bath while still young.

• Groom the coat thoroughly so there are no knots.
• Put a rubber mat at the bottom of the sink.
• Have your mild cat shampoo and a towel to hand, so everything you need is within reaching distance.
• Hold your pet gently but firmly, place in the sink and wet the coat all over.
• Try to avoid getting water in your cat's eyes and ears.
• Apply the shampoo as instructed and rinse thoroughly.
• Now lift the 'bather' out, wrap a towel around and stroke the cat through the towel to remove excess moisture.
• Check the water in the sink for any signs of parasites, such as fleas and ticks.
• If the coat is very long, it may need blow-drying while brushing it. Keep the dryer away from the skin and on a cool setting, as the skin can burn.
• Don't let your cat venture outside until his coat is completely dry.