A cat running wheel is the best way to get an indoor cat (or an overweight cat) to exercise daily.
If you are at your wit’s end as to how to get your cat to indulge in regular physical activity, then a cat exercise wheel or a cat treadmill can help
A cat treadmill wheel – also known as a cat walking wheel – can encourage your pet to run or walk daily, all within the comforts of your home.
This way; your cat can exercise safely indoors and remain mentally and physically fit.
In this guide, we will review the best cat exercise wheel so you can make an informed choice.
Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the cat running wheel:
- One Fast Cat Exercise Running Wheel
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Best Cat Running Wheel: 2022 Top Picks
1. Our Editor’s Pick: One Fast Cat Exercise Running Wheel
This One Fast Cat exercise wheel can help prevent boredom in your indoor cats by providing them with a complete entertainment and exercise center.
The best part is that the wheel comes in a small box and can be quickly put together.
Your pet will love the comfortable foam surface which is sure to prevent unwanted injury and abrasions on the delicate paws.
The wheel is also small, lightweight, and portable, so you can easily move it from one room to another.
The easy-to-clean cat wheel measures 48’ in diameter and is perfect for small and large cats.
Cats love walking and running and this wheel is purrfect to get indoor cats (or overweight cats) to get moving and stay fit.
What we love about the wheel
- Easy to assemble
- Stable and sturdy
- Great customer service from One Fast Cat for free parts replacement
What we don’t like about it
- Non-returnable once it is assembled
- Some cats would not go near it
- Noisy
- Only suitable if you have hardwood or concrete flooring
- One Fast Cat
- Cat
- Exercise
- Wheel
- Green
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No products found.Mishap 80 cm diameter ferris cat wheel can prevent bored indoor cats from scratching your precious furniture while also providing them with daily running exercise.
Your pets can utilize the wheel to not only scratch but also to keep their toys, exercise, and even nap or rest on the wide, comfortable surface.
This cat exercise wheel is stable, durable, and scratch resistant and cats quickly learn how to rotate it for hours of fun and play.
Mishap cat wheel is easy to clean and can be mounted up on a wall so as to free up floor space.
This feature makes this ferris cat wheel ideal for small or cramped up apartments.
The materials used in making this scratcher-treadmill wheel are eco-friendly, safe, and non-toxic.
Cats love this wheel and you will find them fighting each other to get on it!
The ferris wheel is about 80 cm in diameter and can easily accommodate large cats.
What we love about this cat running wheel
- Stability, compressive strength, long service life
- Abrasion resistance
- Wall-mounted cat wheel is great for small apartments and cramped up spaces
What we don’t like about it
- Very expensive
- Weighs over 30 kg
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No products found.RCT brand’s cat treadmill wheel is made using high-quality, non-toxic materials.
It encourages indoor cats to get physically active and can even help obese/overweight cats to lose weight.
RCT cat exercise wheel is made from sturdy wood. It is stable and wobble-free and has a noise-free operation.
The smooth cat running wheel will surely become a big hit with your indoor cats and prevent boredom and other destructive behaviour.
What we love about this cat wheel
- Environmentally safe
- Durable and sturdy with noise-free and wobble-free operation
- High-quality surface that provides your pet with a comfortable area to run, sleep, play, which can prevent boredom and depression in indoor cats.
- Non-irritating and safe from choking hazards/parts/lint, etc
What we don’t like about it
- Expensive
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No products found.V.JUST cat walking wheel comes in two sizes and the larger one is ideal for cats weighing up to 8 kilos.
The scratching surface is safe and non toxic and made with environmentally-friendly material.
Your cat can walk, run, scratch, sleep, climb, and play on this exercise wheel.
Not only does this great cat wheel provide hours of fun and entertainment to your cat; it also encourages flexing and stretching which is very good for a cat’s body.
Moreover, it can protect your precious furniture from the damage inflicted by cats’ nails.
V.JUST cat wheel comes with clear instructions and is easy to assemble.
What we love about this cat wheel
- Available in two different sizes
- Simple yet attractive wheel suitable for all decors
- Multi-activity entertaining exercise wheel for physical and mental stimulation
What we don’t like about it
- Might not accommodate larger cats
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No products found.Neko-Cat Tree is an ideal cat running wheel for large cats since its diameter is 1.2 m.
Your cat will love this sturdy, strong, large, and ultra safe and durable cat treadmill which will encourage kittens and adult cats to exercise daily.
The cat exercise wheel is also equipped with a scratching surface to satisfy natural feline scratching instincts.
This way; you can protect your furniture from your cats’ claws.
And worry not: this sisal covered scratching surface won’t harm your pet’s paws or nails.
The best cat exercise wheel for large cats is also equipped with multiple platforms and small pockets that can encourage cats to jump, exercise, run, play, climb, or simply scratch.
This can prevent boredom in indoor cats.
What we love about this cat wheel
- Suitable for large /overweight/obese cats
- Multiple-activity centre for kittens and adult cats
What we don’t like about it
- Expensive cat wheel
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Benefits of High-Quality Cat Wheel
The best cat exercise wheel can offer the following advantages:
1) It helps keep your cat/s physically active
Cat obesity is on the rise. It is estimated that more than 60% of cats in the United States suffer from obesity-related health issues.
With a high-quality cat running wheel, you can encourage your cat to get active, all in the comforts of your home.
Cats love playing and running on the wheel and you can place some (low-calorie) treats, catnip, and toys to encourage your pet to use the treadmill every day.
Also Read: Most Recommended Best Cat Trees for Large Cats
2) It provides mental stimulation to indoor cats and entertainment for their humans
The best cat running wheel is not only fun and mentally stimulating for your indoor cats; it is also entertaining for the humans to watch their pet using it.
Indoor cats can get depressed and bored easily without physically activity and a high-quality cat wheel can help prevent that.
3) It can satisfy natural instincts in your pets and protect your furniture
Cats have a natural instinct to climb, jump, play, and scratch.
A high-quality Ferris cat wheel often combines sisal-covered scratch posts, perching areas, and a moving wheel for walking or running – all in one unit.
This can help satisfy all of the said feline instincts.
When a cat has an activity centre to satisfy all its natural urges; s/he would not resort to destroying precious furniture.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Cat Running Wheel
If you have decided to invest in a cat running wheel, then it is indeed a very good decision.
Your cat will have loads of fun using the wheel which is sure to keep it in great shape.
Before you go on to select your cat treadmill wheel, do consider the following factors:
A) Do you have time to train your pet?
You cannot expect your cat to simply jump on the wheel and start using it right away.
You need to train it using treats and toys.
Placing a few treats on the wheel can help entice your cat to get on it.
S/he might startle a bit when the wheel starts moving.
However, most cats learn quickly and they understand that in order to keep the wheel moving, they need to walk/run on it and also maintain their balance.
The key is to spend time daily in training your cat to use the running wheel. Worry not: most cats learn quickly.
B) Do you have enough room for the cat exercise wheel?
A fully-assembled cat exercise wheel can measure up to 48 inches or more.
So make sure you have adequate room to accommodate the wheel, especially if you have a small apartment.
Select a cat running wheel big enough for the particular species, size, and weight.
C) Do you have multiple cats?
If all of your cats take to the cat wheel, then they might fight with each other to get on it.
The best way to avoid that is by selecting a larger cat wheel which can easily accommodate all of your pets.
Alternatively, you need to train your cats in taking turns on the wheel.
FAQs on Cat Running Wheels
1) Do cats actually use cat wheels?
A cat wheel can be a worthwhile investment only if your cat uses it.
Naturally; the question foremost on pet owners’ mind is: will my cat use the cat wheel?
The answer depends on your willingness to invest time and effort in training your cat.
You may have to patiently teach your cat to get on the wheel, use treats to lure it on the wheel, and then make it understand that the wheel is not dangerous, rather; it is fun.
Thankfully, cats are highly intelligent creatures and most cats grasp the use of a cat treadmill wheel rather quickly.
However, owners must be willing to invest time in training.
2) How do you get a cat to run on the wheel?
As stated before, it is vital that you spend some time to get your cat used to working out on a cat exercise wheel.
In the beginning, you might have to lure your pet on the walking wheel using some delicious (low calorie!) treats.
Once your pet is on the wheel, encourage it to move it slowly all the while talking in soothing tones to keep your pet on the wheel.
Train your cat to walk slowly so s/he understands the working of the wheel.
You can dangle some organic catnip to get your pet moving and running to catch it.
Be patient and consistent in training.
Devote at least 15-20 minutes per day to these training sessions.
With time, your cat will love using the exercise wheel on a daily basis.
3) Are cat wheels safe?
Safety is of utmost importance when it comes to a cat using its exercise wheel, but so is your cat’s physical and mental health.
Obesity-related feline diseases can have serious implications and could even worsen over time if left uncontrolled.
Likewise, boredom and depression in indoor/inactive cats can lead to other health issues.
A high-quality cat exercise wheel can keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated.
It will have a sturdy and stable base to prevent wobbling and shaking.
The wheel will also have comfortable, soft cushioning to prevent abrasion or injury to the paws.
Always watch your pet when it is using the cat wheel.
If your pet shows any signs of pain or exhaustion, get it off the wheel right away.
If needed, consult a vet to ensure that a cat exercise wheel is indeed safe and suitable for your pet’s health.
Conclusion
Cat exercise treadmill or a cat running wheel is the best way to encourage an indoor (or overweight) cat to get active – both physically and mentally.
We recommend the One Fast Cat Exercise Running Wheel which is sturdy, stable, and well-loved by most species of cats.
You can also consider other cat exercise wheels mentioned above.
Before making a choice, it is a good idea to speak to a vet to ensure that your cat is fit enough to use the cat running wheel.
