If your cat has been mistaken for a sofa cushion, it's a strong indication that she needs to move more and eat less. Likewise, if she has a pendulous belly that sways when she moves or a thick layer of fat that covers her ribs. And if she has a flat, broad back from neck to tail -- without a waist that tucks in toward her spine between her ribs and hips -- it's time to slim down. An estimated 70 million cats -- more than half the domestic cat population in the United States -- are overweight or obese, according to a 2010 study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.
All cats require routine health and dental care to stay fit. Don't be surprised, however, if your veterinarian recommends increasing your cat's activity level. Unless her fitness improves, your cat will be at risk for heart, respiratory and kidney disease, as well as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and ligament injury. In addition, an obese cat will die an estimated 2 1/2 years earlier than a cat with an ideal weight.
How much exercise your cat needs will vary with age, breed and existing health conditions. One thing's for certain: Getting your kitty to move more often will improve her quality of life.
Wondering whether your cat needs a personal trainer? Psych yourself up for the job starting on the next page.
5: Create an Indoor Jungle
A feral cat covers a lot of ground as it roams -- an average of 388 acres (157 hectares) per day -- but an indoor cat spends 80 percent of her time lying around, according to a study published in the July 2011 issue of the Journal of Wildlife Management.
Clearly, your house cat isn't feral -- and even though your household may occasionally seem less than civilized, it doesn't actually mimic life in the wild. However, you can still turn your home into an entertainment-rich jungle with the addition of strategically placed perches, posts and perks.
You can make or buy platforms that act as perches. These cat-sized shelves attach to walls or windowsills and offer incentive to jump to higher vantage points. A scratching post will tone shoulder and back muscles (even declawed cats will enjoy pawing them), and a post with multilevel platforms will hone balance and coordination. The material that covers the post shouldn't be thick enough to entangle and damage claws -- most cats prefer a tightly woven natural fiber.
You can also increase the distance between your cat's water and food bowls. These extra steps will burn a significant amount of calories over time.
4: Be a Play Partner
If you spend just 10 minutes twice a day playing with your cat, you can dramatically improve her fitness level. Cats -- even seemingly "lazy" ones -- will respond to your efforts with brief, intense bursts of activity. You can also turn everyday items into playthings. For example, a milk jug lid, an empty film canister filled with dry rice or a feather tied to a fishing line can all become toys your cat will chase. If you'd rather stock up at a local pet store, look for toys that tap into her natural prey drive, like a catnip mouse tied to a string that you can drag in front of her.
If you discover that your cat really, really likes to play with one of her toys, take it away. It may seem counterintuitive, but taking a favorite plaything out of circulation for several days at a time will pique her interest.
Want to build fitness into your cat's day, even when you're away? Introduce a second cat to your home. The two will wrestle, chase and play at regular intervals throughout the day (and night).
3: Police Her Food
If your cat is a finicky food critic and is living mainly off treats, table scraps or high-sugar canned foods, it's time to count calories. Consult your cat's veterinarian for a plan to reduce her amount of food or to switch to low-calorie kibble.
Instead of putting your cat on a diet, however, you could make her work for her food with a plastic foraging ball. This is about the size of a tennis ball and has a hollow center than can be filled with dry cat food. Holes in the ball allow the food to fall out when the ball rolls, giving your cat incentive to move the ball -- and her body in the process. Just be ready to refill the ball at regular intervals -- or leave additional, measured portions of food in her bowl -- to ensure she gets enough to eat.
2: Arrange an Outdoor Adventure
A confident, curious cat will probably enjoy going for a walk. If you're worried about turning your house cat loose on the outside world -- and the potential dangers in it -- train her to walk on a leash. There are leash and harness systems made especially for cats. Gradually introduce your cat to the harness and allow her to wear it indoors for short periods of time; then add a leash and walk her throughout your home. Once your cat has mastered being on a leash indoors, go for short walk outside and slowly increase the duration of your jaunts.
If your cat is particularly adventurous, teach her to swim. Some pet healthcare facilities have heated swimming pools designed for feline hydrotherapy, and taking a dip will boost your cat's fitness. You may be asked to participate in your cat's swim sessions by carrying her into the pool. Expect it to take several sessions before she gets the hang of doing the "kitty paddle," but the buoyant environment allows overweight cats to exercise without risking injury to their overstressed joints.
1: Try Competitive Play
According to a study in the Journal of Wildlife Management, just 3 percent of a housecat's activity is high intensity. And when your cat spends up to 18 hours a day sleeping, the small percentage of her waking hours devoted to running, leaping or chasing could use a boost. This could be part of why cat agility tournaments are cropping up all across the country (that, and the fact that watching a cat follow commands seems ridiculously implausible). During these competitions, cats show off their talents and training, traversing steps, weaving around poles and going through tunnels in timed runs -- or they ignore the course completely. Either way, it's entertainment for all involved.
You can set up an at-home agility course using household items like overturned chairs and teach your cat to run the gauntlet. The International Cat Agility Tournaments organization even offers instructional guides for DIYers, as well as training sessions for cats. Whichever route you take, the benefits are clear: Play, even the competitive kind, improves your cat's physical health and fosters strong bonds between pet parents and their feline charges.
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