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Three Signs Your Cat Needs More Exercise 

Cats are hyper-independent and often spend their days lounging. As such, many cat owners do not realize that their cat is not getting the amount of exercise they need each day. As a result, an average of 34% of all cats in the United States are classified as obese, with a staggering 60% considered overweight. To ensure your cat does not fall into these alarming statistics, it’s important to know how to identify the signs that your cat needs more exercise.

Behavioral Changes

A key indication that your cat is not getting sufficient exercise is behavioral changes. Destructive behaviors, including biting or clawing furniture are tell-tale signs that your cat is bored and lacking physical and mental stimulation. The same is true for cats who have pent-up energy that has led to aggressive behaviors towards your family, including withdrawn tendencies, biting, clawing, or hissing.

Excessive Weight Gain

Excessive weight gain is a sign that your cat is not getting enough exercise in their day. Weight gain occurs when a cat is ingesting more calories than they are burning. This is deeper than an aesthetic concern as weight gain and obesity lead to higher health risks, including diabetes, cardiovascular concerns, arthritis, and more. Exercise is the key to combating weight gain concerns, as it allows your cat to work off the calories they consume each day.

Over-grooming and Licking

Cats require exercise as a health outlet for their built-up energy. When cats do not get enough physical and mental stimulation, they may adopt strange, compulsive behaviors, such as over-grooming and excessive licking. These behaviors are often used in an attempt to alleviate your cat’s stress. Although cats do require grooming, over-grooming can have an adverse reaction, leading to irritated skin, hair loss, and frequent hairballs.

If these signs sound familiar, it’s time to contact your trusted veterinarian to learn more about how you can get your cat active and engaged to enhance their health and happiness.

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