Adequate exercise

rez

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
34
Purraise
2
I will be a new kitten owner soon. The cat will live entirely indoors in an apartment. The cat will essentially have only me to play with and I won't be there all the time because of my job. How can I assure this cat gets adequate exercise?
 

greenvillegal

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jul 25, 2007
Messages
594
Purraise
1
Location
Bossier City, LA
Rez...

First of all, congratulations on your [soon to be] new addition! You will be so happy. This forum can answer ANY question you ever have about your little one. You'll have to post some pictures when you get it!

My cats live in an apartment too. Just try a couple different types of toys like balls, wadded up paper, fishing toys, cat nip toys... a lot of times cats will play with these by themselves and you'll see them even imagine to be chasing things sometimes. Go to www.cozycatfurniture.com as well and get a cat condo/tree. I recommend the Cat Gyms there because they have a variety of combinations with scratching posts, dangling toys, lounge areas, and it's fun for them to climb on. They seem expensive, but if you research other cat trees they are much more affordable on this site. Don't worry if your kitten doesn't take to it at first, but it will be all over everything so it probably will. They are easy to put together from this website and all you need is an allen wrench which comes in the box. There are also specially designed laser pointers sold at pet stores that cats just go nuts over.

As for food... (I know you didn't ask so pardon me) DON'T feed him dry food! I just learned this after thinking that dry food was healthier. Wet food is more healthy because it has more water and less carbohydrates. Cats only need about 3% carbohydrates in their diet and anymore causes them to gain weight or have other problems.

Keep the litter box as far away from the food/water station as you can get it. It's best to put the litter box in as isolated an area as possible.

Welcome to TCS and we look forward to hearing about your new addition!

Jess
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

rez

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
34
Purraise
2
Thanks for the replies. Good advice. I would like to have two cats but I'm not so sure my landlord would like it. I don't think I want to push that issue. The lazer pointer is a great idea. I'm gonna get one of those. I think it would keep the cat busy and it meshes well with my lazy nature too!
 

gingersmom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 11, 2006
Messages
8,028
Purraise
22
I have to interject here: There is no reason why you should NOT feed your kitten dry. MOST cat owners feed a mix of dry and wet foods. Dry food is NOT unhealthy to feed as long as you are giving a high-quality, premium dry.

I agree that your best bet to keep your kitten happy is to adopt a playmate for him/her. My Ginger wasn't happy as an only cat, so I adopted Ferris to keep her company, as I work long hours and am away from home more than I am there.

Congrats on your new furbaby, and welcome to TCS!
 

sharky

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
27,231
Purraise
38
Originally Posted by GingersMom

I have to interject here: There is no reason why you should NOT feed your kitten dry. MOST cat owners feed a mix of dry and wet foods. Dry food is NOT unhealthy to feed as long as you are giving a high-quality, premium dry.

I agree that your best bet to keep your kitten happy is to adopt a playmate for him/her. My Ginger wasn't happy as an only cat, so I adopted Ferris to keep her company, as I work long hours and am away from home more than I am there.

Congrats on your new furbaby, and welcome to TCS!
Ditto

WILD cats only have 3-5% carbs in there natural diet ...

Kittens need calories and Lots of them to grow
.... free feeding a kitten is NOT a bad thing... Wet and dry is the easiest for most
 

merlynn's mom

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
376
Purraise
2
Location
Sunshine State
I agree with the second kitty if you can. I adopted Piccolino for my Merlynn in January when I noticed she was really lonely at home alone. I am out of the house for 10 hours a day...so she definitely needed a buddy. It's so much easier to get them together...i.e. less introduction issues. I hope you can get another. They are sooo much fun to watch.


Congrats on your baby!
 

jenny82

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 19, 2006
Messages
5,773
Purraise
114
Location
Maryland
I recommend interactive toys (you mentioned a laser pointer which is a great idea!)
Two others that mine really enjoy are called Da Bird and Cat Dancer. You can probably do Google searches on them.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

rez

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
34
Purraise
2
I don't know about two cats... I don't think that is an option. I work 10 hour days too, but do my 40 hours in 3 days. The guy will be by himself when I'm not home, and I'm not sure I can do anything about it.

I will probably free feed dry food. I've done that with several animals in the past without any issues. I still haven't picked a brand to use, but I'm leaning towards Blue Buffalo.
 
Top