There are certainly many things to love about our feline friends. Cats are cute, charismatic, and clean, and lot of fun. They also tend to be rather sleepy! While Fluffy’s fondness for naps is certainly adorable, it can also make it easy for her to get, well, a bit pudgy. Don’t let your pet get obese! You may think chubby cats are adorable, but those extra pounds are very bad for her health. Your cat will be much healthier if she stays at or near her ideal weight. But how do you keep a cat in shape? Read on as a South Miami, FL vet offers tips on keeping kitties fit.

Toys

One of the best things you can do to keep your furball active is to provide her with lots of fun toys. Kitties all have their own individual tastes. Some cats prefer catnip mice, while others would rather play with string toys. And then there are some felines out there that love batting at crumpled-up pieces of paper or the rings from gallon jugs. There are also lots of fun modern toys you can give your pet, like robotic mice, catnip bubbles, and automated laser pointers. Offer your furry pal a variety of toys, so she always has a good selection to choose from. It’s also important to play with Fluffy regularly. Even a few minutes of pouncing and jumping a day will be beneficial.

Pet Furniture

Cats love having things they don’t have to share with their human buddies. Consider getting Fluffy some things that encourage healthy activities, like climbing and jumping. Pet towers and activity centers are great, because they offer kitties a place to play, nap, climb, and scratch, all in one. Wall-mounted furniture is another good option.

Food

Give your kitty high-quality food, but don’t overindulge her. Treats are fine, though you’ll want to be careful not to go overboard with fatty snacks. If you want to give Fluffy something special, offer her some tuna; plain, cooked meat, chicken, or fish; cat milk; or shredded deli meat. Also, keep in mind that if your cat is, well, not just fluffy, that plaintive ‘feed-me-I’m-starving’ meow could be a lie. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.

Please contact us, your local South Miami, FL animal clinic, for all your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to keep your kitty happy, healthy, and purring!