Chantelle Buchan Of KZN Asks
I don’t get much time out and about with my Boxers. Do you have any ideas for games we can play at home? Also, should one exercise cats?

The Team Of Hill’s Pet Nutrition Answers
You don’t necessarily have to leave your yard to exercise your pets. You can make use of daily opportunities, such as encouraging Rufus to go up and down the stairs with you or getting him to follow you around the garden while you’re watering the lawn.

Try These Fun Games

• Fetch This has always been a firm favourite! Throwing a ball or toy and getting your pet to retrieve it is great exercise for the animal – and not too strenuous for you. For a more challenging version of the game, make use of steep banks or sand dunes if you live close to the beach for increased resistance.
• Hide And Seek Hide a toy or kibbles and let your dog find them. Obstacle courses can work indoor or outside. Set up low hurdles (use a broomstick positioned across two objects), tunnels (these are available from pet shops, or you can use cardboard boxes) and a slalom course (set objects, such as buckets, 1m apart).
• Massage And Stretching This warms up muscles, releases tension and stimulates blood circulation. Cats often don’t get sufficient exercise, particularly those with an indoor lifestyle.

Here Are More Ideas To Try

• Toys There are lots of toys on the market that encourage play. Even better, get the kids to make one using ping-pong balls or a scrunched up piece of paper tied to a string, which they can dangle in front of the cat for hours of amusement for all.
• Boxes And Bags Cats love climbing in and out of empty boxes or paper bags.

Exercising and playing games with your pets will strengthen your bond and keep them – and you – fit and healthy!

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