Pets need regular exercise and playtime to remain healthy, happy, and well-behaved. Physical activity helps pets maintain a healthy weight and aids in preventing anxiety or destructive behaviors, among many other benefits.^1,2 Whether you’re playing fetch in the backyard or using interactive toys, making time for daily exercise is one of the best things you can do for your pet. 

Why Playtime and Exercise Are Important for Pets

When pets are active, both their physical and mental health benefit. Physically, movement helps dogs and cats maintain a healthy weight, lowering their risk of several health issues like diabetes, arthritis, and joint injuries. Overall, excess weight reduces your furry companion’s life expectancy and hurts their quality of life, so they must be active to help stay trim.³

Mentally, regular activity helps cut down pets’ behavioral issues that often stem from boredom or pent-up energy.^4,5 Playing with your cat regularly will reduce the risk of aggression as well as destructive behavior, like chewing and scratching.⁴ A bored dog might also chew on things they shouldn’t, dig in the backyard, bark excessively, and jump on you or others.⁵

Balancing Playtime and Downtime

While regular exercise and play are important, there can definitely be too much of both good things. Dogs and cats also need a lot of sleep, so finding a balance between activity and rest is crucial.^1,6

How much exercise does a dog need?

Your dog’s age, breed, and health all factor into how much activity they need. In general, aim for around 30 minutes of exercise per day for your pup.⁷ High-energy breeds, like border collies, might need a lot of vigorous exercise.⁵ A senior dog might prefer short play sessions or leisurely walks.

Every dog is different, so assess your dog’s behavior to tell if they are receiving adequate exercise and playtime. If they are showing signs of boredom, that could tell you that more activity is needed.⁸

How much exercise does a cat need?

Just like with dogs, try to provide your cat with around 30 minutes of physical activity per day.⁹ If possible, break up that half hour into two to three 10 -- 15 minute sessions.²

Breed, age, and health affect how much exercise your cat needs, however. For example, a Bengal cat is typically more active than some other breeds and may need more exercise.⁹ Also, older cats need more sleep, so they won’t want to play as often as younger ones.⁶

Pet Exercise and Playtime Ideas

Exercise and play are best when fun and enjoyable for both pet and owner, and tailored to your pet’s preferences and skills. For example, some dogs like to play with other dogs, while others prefer to play with only people.⁸ Some indoor cats might enjoy exploring outdoors on occasion, while other kitties may prefer to stay inside and play with toys.²

Try out different activities and enrichment toys with your furry friend to figure out what they like to do. That way, exercise and playtime will be more enjoyable for both of you.

Dog exercise and playtime ideas

Some ideas for dog exercise and play include:^1,5

• Fetch: Throw your dog’s favorite toy, a ball, or a stick and have them retrieve it for a game of fetch.
• Hide and seek: When your dog is distracted, hide somewhere in your home or backyard and call out for your dog to look for you. You can also do the same with a toy or treat, hiding it somewhere and prompting your pup to search for it.
• Walks: While a short, leisurely walk is unlikely to tire out a dog, taking different routes and letting your dog stop and sniff is good for mental stimulation. Consider a longer walk or stopping by a dog park for some fetch or tug-of-war for more vigorous physical exercise.
• Running: Letting your dog run free in a large backyard or other open area lets them fulfill their natural desires to explore and chase.
• Swimming: Many dogs enjoy a dip in a pool, lake, or other body of water. This can be a good exercise idea for older dogs as it’s good for their joints.

Topping the list of the best physical and mental outlets for pups is training. Teaching basic commands is a good place to start before moving on to training your dog to do tricks. A dog training class could be a valuable opportunity for your canine companion to get physical and mental exercise and socialize with other dogs.⁵

Cat exercise and playtime ideas

There are many activities you can do with your cat for exercise and play, including:^2,9

• Seek and find: Hide their food, a treat, or toy for your cat to hunt for.
• Toys: Puzzle toys with treats hidden inside of them are good physical and mental exercise for your cat that include positive reinforcement. Wand toys, or even something like a piece of string, are fun for cats as they chase and pounce on them.
• Climbing onto a perch: Kitties enjoy climbing on vertical spaces like shelves and cat trees for a higher vantage point.
• Go outside: The outside world can be an exciting place for an indoor cat. With a harness and leash, take your cat on a walk or just to explore the backyard.

Cats instinctually like to hunt, so activities that fulfill that desire, such as playing with a laser pointer, will likely please your kitty.⁴

Pet Insurance Can Help You Keep Your Pet Healthy

Regular pet exercise and playtime are key to keeping your beloved cat or dog happy, healthy, and emotionally balanced. Just a short amount of time spent on physical activity each day will strengthen your bond with your pet, reduce behavioral issues, and prevent common health conditions.

Even with great care and dedicated exercise and play, pets can experience injuries or illnesses — sometimes even during playtime or exercise. Pet insurance can help you cover unexpected vet bills, letting you focus on getting your furry friend the care they need.

An exercise-related injury happened to Queenie, an English bulldog from Wisconsin. Queenie was running around in circles in her backyard when she twisted her knee. Her owner took her to the vet, where she was diagnosed with a cruciate rupture and had surgery to treat it. The overall cost for the diagnostic exam and surgery was around $7,100, but MetLife Pet covered $5,500 of the bill.¹⁰

Start your pet insurance journey by getting a free quote today.