3 Cat Exercise Wheels Reviewed for Fluffy’s Fitness Levels

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An active cat is a happy cat, and keeping your kitty fit is easier than ever with a cat exercise wheel. Rather than exercising for them, you put their favorite activity on tap, running around as they do at night when you’re asleep! It’s the best of both worlds!

Not only does it keep your furry friend occupied and give them an outlet for their racing cat instincts, but in most instances, it also encourages cats to play and burn out excess energy in a safe way.

However, cat wheels are an expensive investment. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of the three best cat exercise wheels on the market. You can read our cat wheel exercise reviews to find out which cat wheel is right for your cat!

Let’s take a closer look!

cat and exercising wheel

What is a Cat Exercise Wheel?

A cat wheel provides a cat with an endless course to run, keeping them fit and helping them burn off energy. It gives them a new and exciting way of keeping fit, without even noticing it!

The cat exercise wheel is an enclosed track on which your kitty can run as fast as they like for as long as they want. As the wheel turns, the running surface alternatively rises and falls, and this makes it almost impossible for your cat to run in the same spot, encouraging them to keep going and tire themselves out.

Many cats become used to using a toy go-round or small wheel just for kittens, so they’ll be familiar with the concept of running on an object. However, if your kitty hasn’t used one before, they may just see it as another place to play! This is why it’s essential to train your cat to use their new toy.

Before we go into detail about training, let’s see some of the benefits of a cat exercise wheel.

The Benefits of Cat Exercise Wheels

The benefits of a cat running wheel are plentiful. Not only will it help to keep your cat active and healthy, but in most cases, it can also have a positive impact on behavioral issues too.

Physical Benefits

The apparent advantage of a cat running wheel is that your kitty gets a full-body workout whenever they want one. As the track rises and falls beneath them, muscles used for balance strengthens, while the cardiovascular system gets a great workout. This effectively burns calories and helps to keep your cat fit.

Mental Stimulation

Just because your cat is keeping fit doesn’t mean their brain should miss out on the fun! As well as keeping them physically active, using an exercise wheel can be used to help get rid of boredom. They run on the wheel; it stimulates their minds and provides hours of fun.

Behavioral Benefits

One of the most positive aspects of a cat exercise wheel is that it lessens unwanted behaviors like scratching furniture or inappropriate urination. This is because cats are natural predators who spend all their time hunting for food. 

When they are indoors, this instinctive behavior can get used to being let out at certain times of day or night.

When used regularly, a cat wheel offers an indoor cat their natural hunting experience without ever leaving the safety of home. Just like when they used to hunt in the wild for food, running on a wheel tires them out, so they are less likely to want to pursue for fun!

Avoiding the Veterinary Bills

As your cat uses its new toy, it will get fitter and spend more time running around. It’s great for exercise, but it can also help avoid over-eating, common in cats with excess energy to burn.

A cat wheel can help prevent veterinary bills for all the associated complications of obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease. These are common among cats with an over-active lifestyle, so it’s essential to get them used to exercise from a young age.

Training a Cat to Use a Running Wheel

The best way to get used to the idea of using their cat exercise wheel is with some gentle encouragement and praise. It might be that your kitty just tries once or twice and then loses interest, but in most cases, they will soon get used to the idea of running on an exercise wheel.

When training your cat, you’ll need some patience and plenty of encouragement. It’s also essential to make sure your kitty uses their toy at their own pace, so don’t push them too hard, or they may get discouraged! The following steps will help you to train your cat correctly.

Step One – Introducing the Wheel

Before getting used to using the wheel itself, your kitty will first need to become used to it being in its environment. The best way is to place it somewhere they like playing or sleeping and leave it there for a few days. This helps them get used to seeing it without feeling any pressure from you.

Step Two – Providing a Treat

After a few days, place their favorite treat on top of the wheel and watch them eat it. After eating the treat, give them plenty of praise and encouragement as this also helps them associate positive feelings with their new toy. Repeat this process a few times until they seem used to the wheel and no longer afraid of it.

Step Three – Letting Your Kitty Play on Their Own

After two or three days, you can leave the toy out for your kitty to explore by themselves. Once they have used it a bit, even if they don’t seem too enthusiastic, you can offer lots of praise and encouragement to let them know they’re doing a good job.

Step Four – Letting Your Cat Use Their Wheel at Their Own Pace

Your kitty must use their toy for a few days, and you should never force them to use it. They will get used to the idea of getting some exercise on their new toy, but they may not run on it.

Step Five – Avoiding Frustration

As your cat gets used to its wheel, there are a few things you should avoid that could discourage them from using the toy. 

  • Don’t ever yell at your kitty if they don’t use the wheel, as this will only make them scared of the toy.
  • Avoid ever physically helping your cat on or off their toy.
  • Don’t use the wheel as part of their training for anything else.

If used correctly, an exercise wheel can give your kitty all the fun of a wild adventure without any of the danger. Ensuring that your kitty uses their wheel from a young age will help prevent the associated health problems with overweight cats.

Smoky cat running on exercise wheel.

How to Build a Cat Exercise Wheel

It’s not just the purchased wheels that you can use to help your cat exercise, however. There is a fun and straightforward way of building your toy using locally available materials, which you can make yourself.

Building your cat exercise wheel is a great way to let your kitty play without spending too much money. They will love running in their wheel, and you can be sure that they’re simply having fun and not getting into any trouble at the same time.

This cat video below shows you how to make your toy go round exercise wheel at home:

The Cat Running Wheels on the Market

  1. One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel (Best Overall).
  2. TWW Treadmill Ferris Wheel  (Best for Multiple Cats).
  3. Cat Running Wheel Cat Wheel  (Best Durable).

Your Cat Exercise Wheel Buyers Guide

Before you decide to buy an exercise cat wheel, there are a few factors that you should always think about.

Noise Level

You should think about the noise level of the wheel before buying it. Although you might expect a cat exercise wheel to make some noise, you don’t want it to be too loud for your home. Fortunately, many different exercise wheels have materials designed to reduce their noise.

Size of the Wheel

Another factor that you should consider is the size of the wheel, especially if you have a large cat. Although they will get used to smaller spaces, it will still feel a little bit strange if their new exercise wheel is too small for them. You can buy a wider wheel used for large cats to prevent this from becoming an issue.

Size of Cat/s

Many people often buy an exercise wheel for their cats without considering how big they are, but this can result in your cat feeling uncomfortable getting used to their new toy.

If your cat is a tiny one, you will want to look for a smaller wheel that they can use comfortably. If your cat is overweight, consider a larger wheel that large cats will use to prevent them from feeling uncomfortable.

Included Accessories

Some toys come with extra features and the exercise wheel. Some include roller-blade wheel covers to make your cat feel like skating, while others have other toys to help make their experience more fun.

Space Requirements

Before buying a wheel cat toy for your kitty, it’s essential to think about where you will keep the toy. You should ensure that the location is accessible for your cat but out of reach of guests. You should also ensure that you don’t buy a wheel that is too large for the space that you have.

Cat Personality

Cats have different personalities, just as humans do, so it’s essential to think about your pet before buying a toy. Consider what sort of activities they enjoy and whether they like to be out in the open or if they prefer to hide. You may find that it works best if you pick a toy that caters to their personality type.

Style of the Toy

Different toys have different materials, so it’s essential to consider what sort of toy go-round exercise wheel you would like for your cat. Many people prefer to buy natural wood exercise toys, while others may choose a plastic style to keep the price down.

Cost of the Toy

Although you can find cat exercise wheels at a wide variety of different prices, you should always think about your budget before deciding. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to buy your cat their favorite new toy. You can find a used cat exercise wheel in excellent condition at a low price.

Cat Exercise Wheel Reviews

Best Overall: One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel

Key Features

  • Weight: 25 pounds (11.34 kilograms)
  • Dimensions: Wheel diameter- 47 inches (119.38 centimeters); Base- 54 x 12 inches (137.16 x 30.48 centimeters)
  • Material: Recycled plastics 
  • Brand: One Fast
  • Color options: Black, white, cheetah, snow leopard

The One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel is a great option if you’re looking for a reliable and sturdy exercise cat wheel. It’s made of recycled plastics and features rollerblade wheel covers to keep your cat’s paws safe. The open design also makes it easy for cats to enter and exit, and the EVA foam run surface provides a soft footing.

This exercise cat wheel is easy to assemble or disassemble and is backed by a U.S. Patent for your security. The company is so sure you’ll be happy with this exercise wheel that they’ll offer a reasonable return policy if you’re not satisfied with the exercise wheel. 

And remember, they provide a free set of rollerblade wheel covers that can reduce noise and protect your cat’s paws from injury!

The One Fast Cat exercise wheel reviews are very promising. People who’ve bought this exercise wheel report that their cats used it immediately and were running on it within just a few minutes. 

The company offers excellent customer service, too, so if you’re having any problems with your purchase or need replacement parts, they’ll do their very best to help you out.

ProsCons
-Lightweight and sturdy
-Open design (easy for cats to enter)
-Easy to assemble or take apart for storage
-Reasonable return policy
-Non-refundable or non-exchangeable once built

Best for Multiple Cats: TWW Treadmill Ferris Wheel 

Key Features

  • Weight: 21.27 pounds (9.65 kilograms)
  • Dimensions: 46.06 x 10.24 x 48.03 inches (117 x 29 x 122 centimeters)
  • Material: Polyvinyl chloride
  • Brand: TWW
  • Color options: Chocolate brown, back

If you are looking for a superior cat wheel suitable for cat owners with multiple cats, this cat wheel exercise toy is the best cat wheel to choose. It is the most stable cat wheel that cat owners have reviewed, and it is suitable for cats of all fitness levels.

This wheel comes with 8 silent bearings making it the quietest cat wheel ever. It has a highly stable base that you can enlarge to accommodate more cats. The cat wheel’s stability is unmatched by most cat wheels on the market today. 

It comes with looped cat wheel exercise blankets that are fixed to it using Velcro to provide your cat with a comfortable footing.

We recommend this cat wheel for cat owners who have multiple cats, and it is suitable for all levels of fitness. The cat wheel is safe, reliable, and load-tested up to 176 pounds (79.83 kilograms).

ProsCons
-Suitable for multiple cats
-Superior stability
-Quiet
-Expensive

Best Durable: Cat Running Wheel Cat Wheel 

Key Features

  • Weight: 29.7 pounds (13.47 kilograms)
  • Dimensions: 31.5 x 17 x 15.5 inches (80.01 x 43.18 x 39.37 centimeters)
  • Material: Wood
  • Brand: BALEMAUE

The BALEMAUE Cat Wheel is an excellent choice for cats who love to run. The wheel is solid and made of wood to handle even the most active cats. It is also large and sturdy, so even the largest cats can use it without fear of tipping. The wheel is also silent so it won’t disturb your cat or your neighbors.

We recommend this cat wheel for cats of all sizes and fitness levels.

ProsCons
-Can handle the most active cats
-Large and very sturdy
-Silent
-Difficult to assemble

FAQs on Cat Exercise Wheels

Are Cat Exercise Wheels Safe?

All cat wheels that we have reviewed are highly safe for cats. However, it is essential to know how your cat likes to play and is comfortable with it. Some cats may not like the enclosed feeling of a cat wheel and will refuse to use it, while others can be left alone to use it without supervision.

How Often Should Cats Use a Running Wheel?

All experts recommend that your cat use his wheel at least four hours a day. This will help to prevent boredom, obesity, and other health issues.

How Much Exercise Do Cats Need?

Cats need a lot of exercise, but they do not have to be running all of the time. A cat wheel is a perfect solution because it allows a cat to run when he wants to, and it doesn’t take too much space.

Cat running on exercise wheel

Why Trust I Love Veterinary?

I Love Veterinary is a website dedicated to providing its readers with credible, thorough reviews on cat products. These expert cat exercise wheel reviews come from pet professionals based on their many years of experience in the veterinary field. We publish our articles to help cat owners choose the best products for their cats.

The Final Meow!

A cat wheel is a great way to provide your cat with some exercise. They are popular, fun to use, and don’t take up too much room. You can choose from various styles, and we have reviewed the best cat wheels on the market today.

If you are looking for a cat wheel for sale and need to use a cat wheel frequently, we recommend the One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel. If you need a wheel for multiple cats, we recommend the BALEMAUE Cat Wheel .

If you have any questions about cat exercise wheels or need help choosing a used cat wheel, please contact us. We provide the best products for your cat, and we’re always happy to help!

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