senior cat exercise

I am so worried about Whiskers. She is fifteen and the arthritis is getting worse. She used to jump on the bed easily, now she hesitates and sometimes slips off the side.

I want to get her moving more, but I am terrified of hurting her. What is appropriate physical activity for a cat over ten? I know Lady is only nine but she has kidney issues so I can't just feed her more treats to motivate her.

Does anyone have gentle ideas? I feel like I am failing her.

Oh honey, you are not failing her. Whiskers is lucky to have you watching so closely.

My Pearl is eleven and she has hearing loss, so she relies on vibration and smell. I found that short, low-impact sessions work best. I just sit on the floor with a feather wand and let her pounce at her own pace. No jumping, just stretching and little dashes across the carpet.

For a cat with arthritis, you want to maintain muscle mass without stressing the joints. I would avoid anything that requires vertical climbing for now.

Have you looked at subtle signs of pain in senior cats? It helped me realize Pearl was stiff in the mornings, not just grumpy.

The best exercise is the kind they choose themselves. My Maple is five but he spends hours in the garden, and his joints are fine because he moves naturally.

If Whiskers is indoor-only, try creating a path of interest. A series of low platforms or cushions on the floor, not steps up high, can encourage walking. The movement of exploring keeps the synovial fluid moving.

But be careful with the 'encouragement' aspect. If she is hesitant, do not push. The hesitation is the data.

I wonder if you have tried joint supplements that actually worked for my cat? Some of the herbal blends seem to help with the stiffness before we even start the exercise.

@terri69 I will try the floor sessions tonight. I have been doing too much of the 'come here' and not enough 'you can go there' if you want to.

@KettleMaple Maple is blessed with that garden access. I am not sure I can manage that for Whiskers with her joints. I did read that thread about supplements but I am not sure which one is safe with her kidney meds, so I am holding off until I speak to her vet.

I think the issue is that she is also a bit anxious. Does anxiety make the pain worse or does the pain make the anxiety worse? I feel like I am chasing my tail here.

I saw a thread by paulr18 about indoor stimulation ideas for cats who hate the window perch and I think some of those low-level puzzle feeders might be good for her to walk to. Is that too much effort?