Cat exercise wheels are trending. Search this up, and you will find an abundance of examples for cat exercise wheels. But what is a cat exercise wheel? Does that really exist beyond the confines of your hamster’s cage? Will a cat actually run in there? Are they even safe? What are the pros and the cons of an exercise wheel for my cat? I will cover all these questions below. Let’s get started.
A cat exercise wheel is a giant, stably mounted wheel that spins safely. It looks very much like a hamster wheel blown up in size. As your cat steps forward, your cat’s weight propels the wheel into motion. The cat wheel can be employed for the sake of your cat’s health through exercise, or it can be used for fun.
This exercise opportunity is particularly useful for indoor cats. Indoor cats, often needing exercise, can benefit tremendously from the cat wheel. Additionally, the cat wheel can give them mental stimulation and better emotional wellbeing. In other words, a cat wheel can keep your cat in good shape, and also promote their happiness.
Some cat exercise wheels are connected to apps that give you all the statistics that you need about your cat’s progress. Others, like the Little Cat, have fun added features. In the case of the Little Cat, there is a LED light that moves up the centre of the cat’s wheel, tempting it to run forward. The light draws the attention of your cat much as laser pointers do.
Most cat wheels, if bought from a reputable company, are designed with care. This means that your cat will be safe on them. This also means that the wheel shouldn’t drive you crazy with annoying noise as it squeaks around in circles!
As previously mentioned, cat exercise wheels can be a great form of exercise for your cat. Especially, these wheels can be great for indoor cats, who naturally get less exercise than outdoor cats.
The cat exercise wheel can also bring fun to your cat’s life if they are stuck in a rut of boredom. Again, this happens more prevalently in cats who are not outdoor kitties.
Obesity is more prevalent these days in cats, and an exercise wheel could be just the thing that you need to counter it. Leaving obesity unchecked can lead to other health issues, so it is important to find a solution to this for your furry feline.
What is more, if your cat is bored or stressed, sometimes this can come out in unwanted behaviours. If you want to offset these, giving your cat something else to do. Going for a run in a cat-wheel, can cancel out your cat’s acting out. You may find that your cat scratches the forbidden furniture less- and even you less.
Your cat needs mental stimulation! A cat exercise wheel can provide this. Indoor or outdoors, cats need to keep their minds engaged and sharp just like we do, and ‘play’ is one of the ways that they accomplish this. Again, play will contribute to emotional well-being!
More benefits from the veterinary hub include:
Other sources have additionally noted that the treadmill can decrease anxiety levels in anxious cats.
There is no guarantee that your cat will take to the cat wheel. Having said that, moderate to high energy cats stand a good chance. As well, cats that can be trained or persuaded with treats, catnip, or other incentives probably will accept the cat wheel.
However, many sources like Tuxedo Cat note that even the most tranquil cat can be trained to use the wheel with some favourite treats or a laser pointer.
When deciding if the cat exercise wheel is for you and your cat, take who your cat is into consideration. If your cat is low energy, and/or not easily trainable, then do keep trying to find a mode of exercise for them – but a cat wheel may not be the thing. If you’re on the fence, purchase a cat wheel with a guarantee and a return policy. There is no risk if you can return the wheel if your cat doesn’t use it. But, make sure this is in fact in the fine print.
It has been reported that some breeds are more likely to use the cat wheel than others due to the fact that they are curious and bold by nature. For example…
… are most the most likely breeds to jump on the idea of the cat wheel.
Remember that any cat, of any shape, size, temperament, or breed, may need time and training to adjust to the cat wheel.
Plenty of sources claim that you can train most cats to use an exercise wheel with patience and with the right methods.
Remember that some cats don’t like the feeling of being trapped. This means that if your exercise wall is mounted to a wall or has a closed off side, they may not like to run in it. If you have a feeling that your cat could be wary of a wheel with a closed-in feel, make sure to purchase one that is open on both sides. These are readily available.
Think about how unsafe it is for your pet not to exercise, and this may shed some light on the safety of the cat wheel. There are certainly other forms of exercise your cat can engage in, but most cat wheels are carefully designed if purchased from a quality manufacturer.
MyPetNeedsThat.com reminds cat owners that reputable companies will do rigorous safety checks on their cat wheel design. Cat wheels will not catch fur, tails, or paws, or send cats flying off of them. Make sure to purchase through a reputable company.
Training can take time! Be patient and gentle with your cat as they get used to their new toy. While some cats will take-off running right away, others will need training and time just to be comfortable on the wheel itself. Be kind to your cat throughout the process. The training can be fun and enjoyable for you both!
Never force your cat to run on the wheel since this will create an adverse experience for your cat and undermine your progress. Rather, patiently reward each step as it is accomplished by your cat, even if this means moving at a snails pace. Your cat will get there, and the slow training process will be normal for some cats. Treats, favourite toys, favourite food, and laser pointers are great motivators.
What is a cat exercise wheel? A fun device that is very similar to a hamster wheel! Most cats will experience numerous benefits while propelling this wheel into motion. Make sure to purchase a cat wheel with a good return policy. This way, if your cat is one of the few that doesn’t like the wheel immediately and cannot be trained to like the wheel, you can return it.
Cat wheels are a safe and fun way for your cat to maintain emotional wellbeing and physical wellbeing! Some cats will need patient and slow training to adjust to the wheel, but most will eventually take to it. A cat wheel is a fun experience for you and your cat that you don’t want to miss!
Let me know about your cat wheel adventures below and which kinds you like best! Would love to hear from you.
https://styletails.com/2017/03/06/5-incredible-indoor-exercise-wheels-for-cats/
Train your cat to give high fives with this mind-blowingly easy method:
Video for Cat Wheel Training:
Good day, I’m pleased to meet you. I have never come across or heard of a cat exercise wheel before, so I find this information educative, informative and interesting. It’s great to know that a cat exercise wheel can be employed for the sake of my cat’s health through exercise, or it can be used for fun as you outlined. Giving a cat mental stimulation is of utmost importance. This is helpful.
Hi Kokontala, thank-you for your reply! I was also very surprised when I first came across the cat exercise wheel idea. It never entered my mind to try that with a cat. It’s a really creative idea to give them mental and physical exercise. Like you said, it’s important for them to exercise there minds, too.
I had a neighbour who loves cat and she had like I think two 2 of them. One of the cats got fat because she was feeding them too much. Sadly, it passed away.
I never saw her use a cat treadmill before, maybe she didn’t know about it. Like you said indoor cat’s are lazy and often need the exercise, but I don’t think all owners are aware of the treadmill.
I now have other neighbours who also have cats, this idea will good for them. It looks fun and entertaining for cats. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Fatoumata, thanks for your response! I hope your new neighbours find the treadmill idea useful. Feeding your cat foods targeted for weight loss, supplying them with toys to play with, or taking them outdoors on a leash and harness are also ideas for them to try! 🙂
Although cats usually spend most of the day between sleeps, it is important that they exercise. Being physically active has many advantages. The obvious one is so they do not become overweight. One way to achieve this is to get the feline interested in play. Mine is pretty lazy but lets see if it gets interested in this Cat Exercise Wheel.
Hi Ann, thanks for your reply! All the best as you try the cat wheel with your cat!
Hello Beth
The title of your article caught my eye. I am glad I read it, as I had never thought of or considered the idea of a cat wheel. Although I do not have a cat, I grew up with them and nearly all my relatives have cats. I will share your article with my mom, sister, and aunt. I would sure love to see a cat take to the wheel in person. It sounds fun!
Best regards, Rupert.
Hi Rupert, thanks for your response! Yes, they can provide entertainment for humans as well as cats! All the best to your relatives with their cat wheels.
My best friend just recently got one of these for her two-year-old cat and it took her around a month and a half to have him actually interact with the wheel. He was so scared at first and would not even try to be near the wheel. My friend got a couple of scratches after trying to put him on the wheel, he didn’t like it. After a few months of trying on and off alternatives to get him to trust the wheel, he finally did. He’s still not a huge fan of it but he does go on it from time to time whenever he’s bored. I think how the cat reacts to the wheel it all depends on each feline because not all of them are the same nor like the same activities.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for your response. Yes, for sure. Some cats may simply not like the wheel that much. I can relate to your friend’s experience. When I’m teaching my cat something new, sometimes I have to wear gloves and layers, because my cat will scratch me, too! That is interesting that he could be trained to use it with time.
I am glad reading your post about Cat Exercise Wheel. I was fascinated with how you take care of your pets.
I am sorry, I do not have cats, but it crossed my mind if dogs can also have an exercise wheel.
Good thing that I navigate the internet first and saw the fastest running chihuahua on a wheel. I have two Chihuahuas.
One is so timid and she really got fat. And I saw that there are available exercise wheel of different sizes that I can give my dogs to cultivate good health habit through running.
Hi Rose,
Thanks for your response! Yes, I think a wheel would be great for small dogs. Using basic training techniques for dogs, you should be able to train your Chihuahua to run in one. All the best to you 🙂
I really feel sad for hamsters inside exercise wheels because they look so stuck in the wheel, and yet have to keep running. Maybe I am wrong. I didn’t know there were exercise wheels for cats too. That’s an interesting revelation.
Do u really think these are safe for cats? Will the cat be happy in doing this kind of exercise?
I do hope so. Thanks for the information.
Regards,
Aps
Hi Aparna,
Yes, I think that they are safe if bought through a reputable company since they go through rigorous safety and quality checks. I agree, I hope that the wheels are not forced on any cats, since there are definitely other ways to get them exercising! Thanks for your response.
This is informative. Never heard of cat wheels before reading your post. But it seems to be an effective and practical way of keeping your pet active and playful. Indoor cats especially the young ones are playful in nature. They tend to jump, run, create a mess around. It will be a good idea to train the kittens on cat wheels. I am not sure how much effort it will require but if trained well it could very useful in the long run.
I would have loved to see the cat wheels on display in your post to get a better sense of it. The material, durability, and price range. Thanks for sharing this post.
Hi Arif,
Thank you for your response. That is a great suggestion. I will look into getting some pictures and examples of cat wheels to make the topic more clear. Yes, it is much easier to train kittens for that cat wheel. That is the best time to start. All the best to you!
The concept of a cat exercise wheel is new to me, but I love it!
We used to own a few Bengal cats, and they needed a lot of stimulation, attention, and playtime to be happy kitties. When they were unhappy or bored, they would get into mischief, act out, claw furniture, etc.
A cat exercise wheel would have been great for them, especially the kind you mentioned with the light. All 4 of ours enjoyed playing with moving lights, such as lasers or flashlights. They might not have needed 2-3 hours of human-assisted playtime every day if we’d had something like this. We loved them like family, but taking care of their needs took quite a bit more time and energy than the typical cat.
Thank you for the info! I will definitely buy a cat exercise wheel the next time we get a cat.
Hi Delaney,
Thanks for your response! I have never owned a Bengal cat but I have read that they are the perfect cat for the cat wheel. Good luck with the cat wheel and your next cat. It may save you a lot of play time. 2-3 hours is a lot!
Awesome!. Cats can be interesting to watch, when they are not sleeping. Watching the video it seemed to be the cat who was in control. It can be difficult training a cat (lol).
However that said it does look like a good idea for cat exercise and I am sure a cat owner will have a ton of fun trying to train a cat to use this. The other thing of course is to have a secret camera set up and see what they do when your not at home.
Hi Michael, thanks for your response! That is a great idea- I love the secret camera thing. Might as well have some evidence that your purchase is working and some fun watching your cat do crazy things!
Cheers,
Beth
This certainly is a new one for me! I have never heard of a cat wheel before, but why not. It’s a great idea.
I think that most cats would enjoy it, especially if you get one with lights on it, so they gave something to chase.
They certainly have a lot of health benefits and would be excellent for cats that are inside most of the time.
Hi Geoff, thanks for your reply. Yes, why not? Is a good way to put it! It really surprised me to see the wheel at first. I thought it was crazy and that it would never work. I think the key is to find out what drives your cat- laser, toys, treats, catnip- and then use it for training. Cat’s are independent but totally sold on the things that they love and can be easily trained with them!
Thanks,
Beth
Hello Beth, your website is a reference site for me to take care of my cats and make them happy always. One of my cats is growing so fat and she likes to stay on one spot. I have been thinking about what to do because I don’t want to visit the Vet doctor all the time. Reading this beautiful article, I now know that the Cat Exercise Wheel can help her. I just have to buy one and see how how it goes. I will come back with feedback.
Great, thanks Mau! That would be wonderful 🙂 Good luck to you and your cat! I also have a cat that needs to move around more and is getting on the tubby side. We are exploring new weight loss foods and methods together. It is definitely harder to get a cat moving than a dog, so I sympathize. Anyways, good luck again to you and your cat!
