Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 8456 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2016 goodADVICE Bring Out the Wild Side of Your Indoor Cat by Lisa A. Beach Just like humans, cats need regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically healthy. Whether running in the backyard or chasing a toy, daily movement helps prevent obesity and reduce stress. And playing together helps you bond with your feline friend. If you’ve got a cat that goes outside, then she gets exercise chasing birds and squirrels. Of course, going outside also increases the likelihood that she’ll consume something poisonous, pick up fleas and be more prone to infectious diseases. With these risks in mind, you might opt to keep Fluffy inside. But how can you keep her active if she’s cooped up in the house all day? “Have more than one cat,” suggests Dr. Brian Benjamin of Ohio Drive Animal Hospital in Plano. “Multiple cats in a home means they’ll have instant playmates.” WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO GET FLUFFY MOVING? • Tap into her predatory nature. Cats love to hunt for moving critters, so buy a few cat toys that mimic the prey found in nature, including battery-operated “mice” and feathers attached to sticks or strings. • Try a catnip treat. Many cats respond to catnip with a short burst of intense playfulness. If your cat enjoys this intoxicating herb, sprinkle some catnip inside a clean sock, tie the top and let her bat around her irresistibly scented toy. • Keep the fun simple. Wiggle a string, ribbon or shoelace around the floor to entice your cat to pounce, or let her hide in a paper bag or empty box. Dr. Benjamin also suggests using a laser pointer along the floor or up the wall to encourage jumping. (Just avoid shining the light in kitty’s eyes.) • Don’t leave the fun and games to the dogs. “It’s actually possible to train a cat to play fetch,” says Dr. Benjamin. “I did that with my own cat back in college. Just wad up a piece of paper, throw it, and the cat will bring it back to you.” Keep a few treats on hand to reward Fluffy as you train her. What about older cats? How can you keep them active? “Feed them on an elevated surface, like a countertop, where they have to jump to get their food,” advises Dr. Benjamin. With just a little effort, you can bring out the wild side of your indoor cat. Source: Dr. Brian Benjamin, Ohio Drive Animal Hospital ohiodriveanimalhospital.com | 972.599.2224 “It’s actually possible to train a cat to play fetch.” - Dr. Brian Benjamin