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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/lazynes
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Question
My cat's 5 and is turning elderly this year. But she's getting to lazy. And her birthday's in October and it's only July! My family doesn't have the have the money to take her to the vet because of my other three siblings. What do I do to get her more active?!
Taylor,
Your cat is young yet! At 5 years old he is only approximatlely 36 years old in human years. Cats are considered "seniors" at 7 years old, and "geriatric" at 14 years.
Here is a link to an article about keeping a cat active:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31773&Itemid=394
Get a pet laser light (from PetSmart/Petco, etc.). Cats love to chase the little red 'bug'. Drag a shoestring for her to chase. Make up games to keep her active. Try putting your hand under the bed covers and let her pounce on it. You get the idea.
Also remember that a cat will slow down and not play as much as the cat get older. That is normal.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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