Just a curious question..indoor cats, how do they get exercise?

[Disney1fan2002]

I wondered this the other day, as I watched my kitty chase a mouse around the backyard. She was running and pouncing for a good while. It got me thinking about the cats that stay indoors. Do cats not need exercise?

I am not starting a debate, and there are many good reasons to keep a cat indoors. but, I am often frowned upon when some people find out I let my cat out. So, my question is, what about exercise? Running through a house can't be the same as a good run through the backyard.

 

[helenabear]

They have a whole 1700 sq ft house to run around. They have toys and laser pointers they play with. They also have each other to play with. Not to mention the bugs in the additional 900 sq ft in the basement they can chase.

So I don't buy that as a good argument to letting cats outside. Indoor only cats live significantly longer than cats who are let outside. From not getting hurt by other animals & cars to disease. My cats go out on a leash on my deck now and then. Nothing else... I do love them too much.

And yes, this is something I am *very* strict about and have strong convictions.

 

[poohandwendy]

LOL, I have 6 indoor cats and they get plenty of exercise. As a matter of fact, they are all going crazy chasing each other and/or various toys all over the house right now. Sometimes there will be one that seems to be chasing a phantom peice of lint or something....

Several times a day, they go nuts until they are exhausted and then they sleep like logs.

 

[poohandwendy]

Just saw your last sentence, I really don't see why running around a house is any less or more beneficial than outside. With the exception that mine are safer indoors.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Just saw your last sentence, I really don't see why running around a house is any less or more beneficial than outside. With the exception that mine are safer indoors.

I am just thinking in terms of say kids. A child can run around a house, but would that be sufficiant exercise? I am not trying to start a debate, I am genuinely curious how indoor cats get exercise. So, the answers here do not need to be defensive. They will be informing me.

 

[FullStride]

My cat benchpresses the car out in the garage to keep in shape.

 

[poohandwendy]

I am just thinking in terms of say kids. A child can run around a house, but would that be sufficiant exercise? I am not trying to start a debate, I am genuinely curious how indoor cats get exercise. So, the answers here do not need to be defensive. They will be informing me.

No fear, I am not defensive. It doesn't matter to me what other people do (as long as they do not neglect their care). In my situation, outside is less safe.

As far as sufficient exercize, the fact that mine have the 'run' of the entire house at all times and they all run until they are petered out, I think they are getting enough exercize. I think if you kept them quarantined to a room or something, they may not have enough space to 'spread their wings', so to speak.

Does that make any sense?

 

[TeresaNJ]

My cats run up and down the steps chasing each other multiple times a day, not to mention the "boxing" they do with each other, jumping up and down on chairs, beds, windowsills, etc. They get plenty of exercise in my opinion.

 

[DaisyD]

Our cat has 3200 sf of house to exercise in. She is much safer in the house. I'd rather have a fat kitty then a flat kitty anyday.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Simon exhausts himself by ambushing and stalking Petey. The both get plenty of exercise and we get plenty of entertainment from it.

 

[AllyandJack]

They run around like lunatics at 3am. They have 3 floors, 2 flights of stairs, 4 rooms that are open to them, and 2 hallways.

I do have one cat that could lose a few. If I try to put him on a diet, the other two get skinny and he gets fatter.

But, I'd rather he be inside and a little tubby than outside and torn to shreds by Fisher Cats.

 

[In a hurry]

We also have three cat poles for them to speed up! They sit on the platforms and ambush the dog, each other, and us. They also run from windo to window stalking the birds from a safe distance!

 

[disneynutt1225]

When our cat was living with us in the apartment, he used all the furniture as a jungle gym. Between that, and the dog chasing him up and down, he got plenty of exercise. Now, he's living with his grandpa because my parents are allergic. He has another cat and a dog to play with and he's happier than a pig in mud. I never have and never will let my cat outside intentionally - there's no need for me to do that, and it's not safe out there for him.

 

[helenabear]

I am just thinking in terms of say kids. A child can run around a house, but would that be sufficiant exercise? I am not trying to start a debate, I am genuinely curious how indoor cats get exercise. So, the answers here do not need to be defensive. They will be informing me.

First of all cats are significantly smaller than a child Mine have two full flights of stairs they run up and down (and up and down and up... ) Given the size of my back yard and that it is flat, I think they get more jumping up and down on furniture and running the length of the floors as well as the stairs. They get plenty! They run and play until they are tired and want to nap. Neitehr of my cats is over weight by any means, and both are strong and athletic. I can't see how exposing them to the outside would do them any good.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, lets see. I have three cats, and a large golden retriever. There's some exercise right there!!! Three levels of house....their food is on the top floor..they have to jump over a gate to get into that room. Then, their litter box is in the basement...there they have to jump up onto a bureau to use the box. Their favorite sleeping room is in the basement, in a room where they, again, have to jump over a gate to get in.
Then, there is all that crazed chasing each other around all day. I have to say...my indoor cats actually get more exercise than my previous outdoors cats did. The outdoor cats used to just stalk birds/mice/voles, or lie around in the sun. The indoor guys seem to be much more on the go.
And there is that old nasty 'wild critter' stuff you don't have to worry about with indoor cats. Or the tics coming in on them..used to call my outside cats 'tic taxis'!!! We have had a skunk bite a dog in our neighborhood, as well as fisher cats and coyotes in back of the house. My cats would make much to tasty of a meal for them to chance letting them out.

They do love to sit at the slider and watch the bird feeder though. You hear some pretty interesting noises from the cats. And then there is the ever popular 'lets try to climb the slider door' fun!!! Are they not aware it's glass??!!!

 

[Laura]

My cats get plenty of exercise chasing each other, running up and down stairs, through the rooms, etc. We also have a large 3-season room in the back where they can get fresh air and watch the local wildlife without getting into trouble.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Ours gets lots of exercise chasing each other, running from one dog, running after the other dog, chasing after their toys (they all have their favorite toys), being played with (we have the feather toys, pole toys, laser pointer, etc), and just running around by themselves. One cat is pacing the kitchen right now, looking for trouble. I have 4 cats (2 cats, 3 almost grown kittens) and 2 dogs, so there is never a dull moment. Not to mention kids and 3 levels so plenty of places to play and things to do. They do enjoy looking out the front window at the birds and I'm sure are planning on catching one, but since they've never been out, they really don't understand the concept. It's not like they've been outside and know what they are missing.

 

[In a hurry]

I do wonder sometimes if they lack anything by not being in direct sunlight, though. It isn't worth the risk to us, but I am curious about it.

 

[denisem]

Millie sets the machine to "spin" and gets all the exercise she needs...

 

[MzDiz]

Up and down the stairs, up and down the stairs, up and down the stairs...

We picked up my little angel, Singe, off the road last summer. She's burried in our backyard now. She gets no exercise there. I'm sorry, but every time you let your cat outside, you have to think about whether or not you're willing to let that be the last time you see him or her alive. If you're cool with that, open the door.
Personally, I'd give almost anything to have a do-over of that day.