TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Care & Grooming › Exercise options for indoor cats
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Exercise options for indoor cats

post #1 of 13
11/24/09 at 8:03am
Thread Starter 
Hi - This is the 3rd site I have gone on, trying to get some advice for how to keep a cat occupied while indoors (so far no responses from the other two). I don't have a cat anymore (She was a stray with feline leukemia who I nursed for 2 years before she was finally suffering too much), but when I did, I went to extraordinary lengths to give her safe outdoor time, and also fun indoor time. Now, my sister is looking for something to keep her cat happy -- nothing too heavy or too permanent (can't attach to walls, and they rent their townhouse), but is sturdy enough for a bouncy, strong cat. So many of the things I see are so BORING. Can anyone help me with what she should look for?
Reply
post #2 of 13
11/24/09 at 8:12am
Think cat condos. Not only do cats love to be in high places, but it gives them exercise to climb up and down. There are a lot of cat condos out there, and even those that are waist high are better than nothing. Place them by a sunny window and if you can, put a bird feeder outside that window. Instant big screen TV for cats.

If your sister can't afford one, then a dresser (or other piece of furniture) pushed under a window with a blanket on it is a good option. I keep a chair with a wide back under a window where one of my cats spends most of his days.

I have 3 condos in my living room alone and they are always occupied. The taller the condo, the more they use it. I have another one in my kitchen by the window with a bird feeder. That one is rarely empty, and it also keeps the cats off the kitchen counters (added bonus).
Reply
post #3 of 13
11/25/09 at 5:34pm
Interactive toys like DaBird and one of those things that has a ball in a track that the kitty can chase. DaBird is something that your sister would have to play with the kitty, but it's fun. Also, a laser pointer would be good. Again, she'd have to play with the kitty. How about a box with a toy or something inside it??
Reply
post #4 of 13
11/25/09 at 5:41pm
Turbo scratcher.

Lots of small foam balls to chase around the floor (golfball sized not edible).

A large paper shopping bag (do not use plastic ones as they can suffocate and get trapped in the handles) or medium sized open cardboard box. And oh yeah like someone else suggested put some toy mice or balls inside. Maybe catnip.

Also some of those cardboard scratchers placed randomly around.

My cat also likes stuffed animals 6-10inches tall. Anything larger is threatening. She seems to find biting it and toting it around stress relieving (former feral kitten -go figure!). You do have to check periodically that the stuffing is not coming out.

Pic of Aya enjoying my DVD box.



The shopping bag!



Recycled postal box with toys.

Reply
post #5 of 13
11/25/09 at 8:06pm
Ping pong balls in a bath tub make a great toy if you don't mind the noise.
Reply
post #6 of 13
11/25/09 at 8:46pm
Bendable straws, either whole or cut in half
Chenille pipe cleaners (the long ones)--take it and curl it around a pencil or your finger and let the kitty bat it around. They work well cut in half, too.
Ping pong balls on a tile or linoleum floor are fun, too.
If you use the plastic bags which most kitties love, be sure to cut the cut the handles off. Also, if your paper bag has handles, cut those off, too.

You can see the cut handles in this pic.


A piece of craft paper or newsprint makes a great toy!


Another box idea.
Reply
post #7 of 13
11/25/09 at 9:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephanietx View Post
let's hope that scotch tape holds up! j/k i like that box. nice idea.

back in 2005 i bought a toy called the panic mouse. my kitty daisy loved it. back then there was only the original kind which had a tendency to tip over. now they've improved it with the panic mouse 360 (although i can't say i have experienced the new improved one but it seems much better)

the website is http://www.panicmouseinc.com/shop/in...=category&id=2
Reply
post #8 of 13
11/26/09 at 6:38am
LOL! I thought that everytime she jumped up there, but I reinforced it on the underneath side with another piece of cardboard and it lasted for a LONG time. They quit playing with it, so I got rid of the box. Now we just have a box (same size) with an entrance/exit hole and nothing else. They sleep in it, play in it, and climb on it. I have one cat who'd live in a darn box if I'd let her!
Reply
post #9 of 13
11/26/09 at 6:58am
Thread Starter 
Thanks -- this is helpful. Lots of great ideas from people about stuff to play with on the floor -- but I am looking for something tall and sturdy.... I've seen some things on-line that people have attached to the walls, but that is not an option.
Reply
post #10 of 13
11/26/09 at 7:02pm
I vote for Da Bird and a laser pointer.
Reply
post #11 of 13
11/27/09 at 1:44pm
This one is available at Walmart and not expensive:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=207992

There are a lot that anchor to the ceiling - just like a spring rod, not with screws.

http://www.cozycatfurniture.com/

In fact... here's just a google search of "cat trees" - LOTS of choices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.google.com/search?q=cat+t...ient=firefox-a

Something like this with a sturdy base doesn't require the ceiling "anchor"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...H5AM62AFVC7J99

Here's what we have:

Reply
post #12 of 13
11/27/09 at 4:00pm
I had a ceiling high scrathing tree that didn't need anything permanent to keep it on place and it was adjustable to several room heights. Here's a pic:


The cats loved it a bit too much and now I need a new one. I've already ordered it but will have to wait a few weeks as it will be handmade with a tree trunk made of steel, so the boys can't break it..
Reply
post #13 of 13
11/27/09 at 5:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthernGlow View Post
That looks similar in construction to one I have.. surely they couldn't be the same brand.


I noticed something again today, and I'm sure others have noticed it before. I was sick for most of the day and spent a lot of time in bed, as a result all of the cats laid around, too, including the kittens!
Whenever I'm up cleaning (especially sweeping) the cats really get to racing around the house. So part of my suggestion to getting cats more active is to be more active yourself, you'll signal playtime to them.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Care & Grooming
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Care & Grooming › Exercise options for indoor cats