Just as people need exercise to keep their muscles strong and their joints loose, so do cats need active exercise as well. While cats may exercise on their own when they’re young, you may need to spend time with your cat to make sure it exercises as it gets older.

Without exercise, cats, like humans, can get depressed and feel sluggish. Dr. Colleen Sawyer says exercise, “Decreases the risk of diabetes, urinary tract problems, matted hair and joint-related disease.” So keep your cat moving and you may get some exercise too.

To learn more about exercising your cat, click here.