Felines & fitness

Good info From CatAge:

"In exchange for the safer lives they enjoy, most housecats also lead much less physically active lives than outdoor cats. Without a daily dose of exercise, your indoor cat faces an increased risk of disease or behavioral problems. But encouraging active play can help keep an indoor cat fit, slim, and healthy. In fact, regular exercise and playtime can add years to a cat's life. A daily dose of activity can make your cat up to 8 months younger! An active cat is a healthy cat. Balancing good nutrition with several daily play breaks can help reduce your cat's risk of obesity. Regular exercise also will help protect your pet from developing age-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. A healthy cat is a happy cat. Without the endless exploration and play of the outdoors, an indoor cat can quickly become bored and possibly destructive. Providing your house cat with engaging toys and encouraging his or her playtime allows your cat to channel restless energy in a constructive, rather than destructive, manner -- which makes everyone happy.

How to Get Your Cat Active: All cats will play if you take some time to learn what they respond to. Consider toys or games that trigger natural cat responses such as chasing, jumping, and climbing. Slowly introduce your cat to a variety of toys and activities. If food is a major motivator for your pet, use portions of your cat's daily meal as rewards for active games such as hide-and-seek or fetch. While age, breed, and general health determine your cat's ideal activity level, the average cat will benefit from 15 minutes of activity, twice per day. Introduce aerobic activities in shorter sessions for cats who are new to exercise. Panting is a sign that your cat has had enough."