As my favorite fluffball turns twelve years old, I sometimesworry about him staying active and healthy. When the family is away from home, I fear that he doesn’t have enough toys to amuse himself. A sedentary lifestyle can often lead to diabetes and obesity,
I spent some time procrastinating researching this important issue and discovered something that I didn’t even know existed: exercise wheels for cats!
Do these work? Do cats like them? How do you encourage a cat to start using one?
Well, let’s explore the best cat exercise wheels on the market for your particular kitty. In this post you’ll discover the pros and cons of different cat exercise wheels on the market. In addition, you’ll learn what the best size wheel is for you cat, and how to actually get your cat to use the wheel.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
More Fun Stuff That Your Cat Will Enjoy
PawHut Cat Condo with Exercise Wheel
PawHut Cat Condo with Exercise Wheel
The PawHut 56″ Cat Tree Activity Condo Luxury Pine Wood with Hamster-Wheel is an all-in-one solution for your cat’s exercise, play, and relaxation needs.
It has an attractive design with a sturdy structure. The scratching posts on this cat condo are covered with durable, natural, sisal ropes. It’s an excellent buy if you have more than one kitten, as you’ll be doing your furniture a favor! There’s also a spacious condo so your cat can sleep off all the exercise he gets on the exercise wheel.
This is a great choice for smaller cats and kittens, but if you’ve got larger, heavier cats, the exercise wheel may not be ideal as it only supports cats up to 9 lbs.
The outside of the exercise wheel has a quality finish and is covered with sisal carpeting, which is scratch-resistant and wear-resistant. The carpeting inside the wheel helps your cat maintain a comfortable grip as he spins round and round.
The PawHut Cat Condo with Hamster-Wheel is easy to assemble, clean, and provides a complete play, scratch, and exercising solution for your cats. The exercise wheel has a diameter of 23.5 inches and a depth of 6.25 inches.
Reviewers liked how this cat condo “looked cool,” was made of real wood, and that you could stain it any color you liked.
However, other reviewers were disappointed that the exercise wheel was too small and the condo on the whole was too wobbly. You can read all the negative 1-star reviews here.
Pros:
• Suitable for multiple pets
• An anti-toppling device is included, ensuring that the base is sturdy.
• Provides for your cats’ play, scratching, napping, and exercise needs
• Beautiful design
Cons:
• You will need more space to set up this condo
• The exercise wheel suits smaller cats and kittens
• Only suitable for smaller cats
Penn-Plax Spin Cat Exerciser Wheel
Penn-Plax Spin Cat Exerciser Wheel
The Penn-Plax Spin Kitty Cat Exerciser Wheel has a sturdy, easy-to-assemble design. It also doubles as a cat scratcher as it is lined with carpeting.
This cat exercise wheel accommodates cats weighing up to 20 lbs, and the dimensions include a generous-sized wheel of 29.5 inches. You need to assess whether this cat wheel will suit your bigger cats, although the dimensions generally work for average-sized cats.
Overall, the entire setup is 29.5 inches wide, 13 inches deep, and 35.8 inches high and comes with a base that adds extra stability.
The wooden structure is easy to clean, as you can simply vacuum the carpeted bits and give the wooden surfaces a wipe-down with a damp cloth.
If you’re looking for a quality exercise wheel for your cat that is [somewhat] less expensive than most brands, the Penn-Plax Spin Kitty Cat Exerciser is a good option.
Pros:
• Simple, sturdy design
• Easy to clean
• Less expensive than other brands
Cons:
• Suitable for smaller cats
Click here to see a video of a kitten running on this exercise wheel.
COZIWOW Large Cat Exercise Wheel with Carpeted Runway
COZIWOW Large Cat Exercise Wheel with Carpeted Runway
The beautiful wood finish of this exercise wheel makes it a practical and good-looking piece of cat furniture that would look great in a living area. Its broad base supports its more significant dimensions of 31.5 inches x 16.25 inches x 34.25 inches, with a diameter of 27 inches.
It can support cats of up to 110 lbs., making it ideal for bigger, overweight cats.
The Coziwow Cat Exercise Wheel is easy to set up and clean, with carpeting inside the wheel. The wheel’s base has a silent pulley system to ensure a quiet workout.
Your plump kitty will get the most exercise out of the larger wheel, and you can be sure that the wheel will be able to handle your fur baby’s extra pounds. However, this is a bulkier piece of equipment, and it may be challenging to move around, so make sure you have a permanent bit of space set aside beforehand.
Pros:
• Supports heavier cats up to 110 lbs
• Smoothed edges for safety
• Designed to operate silently
• Sturdy Design
Cons:
• Difficult to move around
Balemaue Cat Running Wheel
As we all know, kittens have surplus energy, which can drive one crazy, especially if you live in an apartment. The Belamaue running wheel offers a silent design, ensuring that your cat can run off steam while you can still get some shut-eye.
The dimension of this wheel of 14.11 inches x 5,89 inches x 18.6 inches is somewhat smaller, and it’ll accommodate kittens and smaller cats while not taking up too much space in your apartment.
The fabric inside this cat wheel is attached with Velcro and is easily removable for cleaning.
Pros:
• Designed to operate silently
• Easy to clean
Cons:
• Not as sturdy as other brands
• Your kittens will eventually outgrow this wheel
GOPET Pet Powered Tread Wheel
If you share a home with multiple pets, you will do well getting an exercise wheel that’s suitable for the whole family. The GoPet Treadwheel will safely accommodate pets up to 150 lbs, which means that cats and dogs can have a go.
You can change the resistance levels of the wheel so that you can give your dog a proper workout, but later change the settings so that your smaller cat can also enjoy a comfortable level of activity.
The diameter of the wheel is 60 inches with a width of 20 inches. The safe, sturdy construction, variable settings, and suitability for all your pets’ exercise needs make it worthwhile. This is a rather heavy piece of equipment, weighing in at 240lbs! It is also a much pricier option.
Pros:
• Suitable for both cats and dogs
• Two options available for smaller and larger pets
• Durable and Sturdy design
• Comes with a training door
Cons:
• Expensive
Large Cat Climbing Toy with Exercise Wheel and Scratch Pad
Large Cat Climbing Toy with Exercise Wheel and Scratch Pad
Now we all know that not all cats will take to an exercise wheel or be fond of going around in circles. (Just like I personally don’t enjoy running on a treadmill.)
If you’re testing whether your kitten would enjoy an exercise wheel without sacrificing the space and extra money it would cost for an expensive brand, you may want to try this corrugated cardboard cat wheel first.
At 25 inches x 11.4 inches x 22.8 inches, this waterwheel-shaped exercise wheel is an excellent introduction to the cat exercise wheel. This wheel doubles as a scratching post as well as a play station. The corrugated cardboard construction is ideal for kittens weighing between 7.49 lbs and 11lbs.
If your kitten loves this toy, you can be confident that a proper cat exercise wheel is worth your money. The drawback of this wheel is that it will not last forever, and your kitten will outgrow it.
However, if you find that your kitten does not take to running on the wheel, at least you bought a great scratch post, and you can rest assured that spending your hard-earned on a proper cat exercise wheel would probably be a waste.
Pros:
• A great option that doubles as a scratch toy
• Less expensive option to see if cats take to an exercise wheel
Cons:
• Only for smaller cats and kittens
• Not durable; eventually
• Cats will eventually demolish it
Video — How to Make a Cat Exercise Wheel
If you’re not sure you want to invest the money in a wheel, or if you’d think it’d be a fun project to just make one yourself, then check out this video.
Are Exercise Wheels Good For Cats?
As you may know, cats are very fussy little creatures. Not every cat will be interested in an exercise wheel or any other expensive toy you may get. The pricey cat tree that my cat never bothers to use can attest to this fact.
Many cats can enjoy hours of play and exercise by knocking down objects from tables and using boxes as their hideouts. So, don’t assume your cat will be convinced just because you feel an exercise wheel is a good idea. Cats have a mind of their own.
Exercise wheels are great for cats, especially those living in smaller apartments. If you’re often away from home, your cat will need some distraction, and maintaining a good exercise regime can help them avoid boredom.
Remember that your cat needs interaction and play with you to bond and stay physically and emotionally healthy. Merely giving them an exercise wheel will not replace proper playtime with you!
Exercise wheels are an excellent way for your cat to blow off steam during the evenings and early mornings, as cats are most active during this period. Providing that the exercise wheel doesn’t make a lot of noise, you can score a few more minutes of shut-eye.
My cat regularly gets the zoomies and wrecks something in the house in the dead of night, and I have realized that even though he is older now, this phenomenon has not decreased. So, investigating whether your cat will take to an exercise wheel may well be worth your while.
Experts agree that your cat requires at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise daily. Cats are not built for extended, strenuous amounts of exercise, though. They need bursts of activity for around 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
If your cat is lazier than before, he may be suffering from depression or another health-related matter. It may also indicate boredom, in which case a cat exercise wheel is helpful.
When deciding whether an exercise cat wheel will be good for your particular tiny tiger, there are a few things to consider. An exercise wheel is excellent for apartment dwellers or those with indoor cats; however, you’ll need to decide whether you can spare the space for installing a cat exercise wheel and whether it is at all practical.
A cat exercise wheel is an excellent addition if you have more than one cat. Sprinting and getting in a good dash will always be healthy! But don’t expect your cats to know what to do when you set up this gadget for them.
Young, active cats may take to the wheel much more readily than older, less active cats who are set in their ways. But once they get used to it, both young and older cats may become fans of this new toy. Some training on how to use the wheel may be required.
On average, a cat exercise wheel is a more significant financial investment than other toys and cat furniture. Be prepared to dish out more money on this item than you would pay for other cat accessories. Should your cat use the wheel often, you can be assured that your investment has paid off, as your cat will be healthier and better for it.
If you have kittens and live in an apartment, it helps them burn off large amounts of energy. The other consideration would be the amount of noise your cat will make as he enthusiastically races on the exercise wheel. This may be loud at full speed at four in the morning, so look for an exercise wheel with silent pulleys.
Never frighten your cat with unexpected movements. Gently does it! If your cat is incredibly nervous, try putting its favorite blanket and some treats on the cat wheel and see if he starts to enjoy spending time on the wheel.
If your cat refuses to play on the wheel, do not use negative reinforcement or scold him. This will most likely discourage him from learning how to enjoy the cat wheel. Your cat’s preference will determine how much time he spends on the wheel.
How Big Should A Cat Exercise Wheel Be?
The available space, your cat’s age, weight, and energy level will all make a difference in deciding which size the cat exercise wheel should be. When shopping for a wheel, ensure you know your cats’ weight, length, and height.
Most cat exercise wheels have a weight limit of twenty-five pounds. The smaller exercise wheels are roughly ten inches in diameter, with the larger wheels measuring three or four feet wide.
Your cat’s age makes a difference; if it is a young kitten, choose a wheel it can use when it gets older. It may be awkward at first, but they grow up fast. You don’t want to get an exercise wheel that will soon be too small for them.
Bigger cat exercise wheels with a four-foot diameter will accommodate even the longest cats. You may want to use wooden stable frames if you get a large cat exercise wheel and you have carpeting in the apartment.
The standard cat wheel dimensions are 48 inches in length, 47 inches in width, and 10.75 inches in height, with a 25 lbs. weight limit. To give you a better idea of the size, a cat wheel will take up about as much space as a 42 to 50-inch television on a stand.
Training Your Cat To Use An Exercise Wheel
Just like a gym membership, the cat exercise wheel won’t work unless your cat does some work! Getting your cat accustomed to the new installation in your home may require some time, so be patient. It’ll pay off eventually.
The first step, of course is getting your cat on the exercise wheel.
Try feeding your fur baby a treat close to the wheel and only let him have it once he is standing on the wheel. Use your cat’s favorite treat as a reward and positive reinforcement when he gets on.
This first step may take a while. If your cat gets nervous when the wheel moves, he’ll need some time before identifying it as a safe object. Once your cat is comfortable standing on the wheel, hold the treat up a slightly higher up the wheel so that he’ll need to take a few steps on the wheel to reach it.
Always have playtime close to the cat exercise wheel, as your cat will be able to gain some confidence around the wheel. Laser toys, as well as feathers on a stick, can be used to entice him further to spend time on the wheel.
Multiple cats may learn faster by watching each other. Either way, try not to force your cat into doing anything he is not quite ready to do. Hopefully your cat will eventually take to his new exercise wheel and soon be happily trotting away.
Final Note: An Alternative to Cat Wheels
The truth is, some cats are just never going to get into exercise wheels. And part of the reason is that cats like to travel vertically.
So if you’re doubtful about investing in a wheel, or if you’ve already gotten one and your cat couldn’t be less interested, consider getting a really tall cat tree that your cat can run up and down — and take a nap in when they need a break!
Resources: