Active cats are happy cats. And there is no better way to ensure your cat is active, alert, slim, and happy than giving your cat an exercise wheel!
We’ll show you 5 popular exercise wheels for your cats.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about cats and exercise, starting with something most humans don’t know about cats and exercise.
5 Exercise Wheel Options for Energetic Cats
| One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel – Gen. 6 | Specifications | Pros and Cons |
 | Weight Limit: 22lbs Size: 48″L x 12″W x 50″H Assembled Weight: 28lbs | ✔ 2 base colours ✔ 4 running surface colours ✔ Light-up LED option ✔ EVA foam running surface ✔ Sturdy, lightweight design ✘ 30 day return policy |
Customers love that this cat wheel comes in solid colours instead of animal prints. It won’t clash with furniture or flooring. Because it’s made of recycled plastic, it’s easy to move around.
Cats feel safe entering this exercise wheel because of its generous size. Smaller cats and kittens might need some help to get the wheel rolling, though, and this model is large enough that it can be hard to assemble unless you have a helper.
One thing to know about the One Fast Cat exercise wheel in advance is that the paw protectors have a stick and seal design. If they fall off, stick them right back on.
| Penn-Plax Spin Kitty Cat Exerciser Wheel | Specifications | Pros and Cons |
 | Weight Limit: 20lbs Size: 29.5″L x 13″W x 35.8″H Assembled Weight: 32lbs | ✔ Carpet lining in and out ✔ Tree with built-in wheel option ✘ Too small for big cats ✘ Too heavy for kittens |
Looking for a way to get kittens and growing cats into exercise?
You need the Penn-Plax Spin Kitty Cat Exerciser Wheel!
This small wheel is enclosed on one side to give kittens and small cats a sense of security.
It is covered with sisal inside and out, so your cats can get their urge to scratch out of their system on the exercise wheel.
But this exercise wheel is not designed for cats weighing over 20 pounds. It’s an exercise wheel for smaller cats only.
| COZIWOW Cat Exercise Wheel | Specifications | Pros and Cons |
 | Weight Limit: 110lbs Size: 31.5” x 16.25″ x 34.25” Assembled Weight: 35lbs | ✔ Solid wood construction ✔ Very quiet ✔ Light-up LED option ✔ Carpet lined running surface ✔ Sturdy design ✘ Heavy when assembled |
It is a good choice for older cats as it is open on both sides and carpet lined for added traction.
Reviewers mentioned quiet wheel bearings which are good for cats who might get scared easily by louder noises.
| Ferris Cat Exercise Wheel G5 | Specifications | Pros and Cons |
 | Weight Limit: 25lbs Size: 56” x 12.4″ x 51” Assembled Weight: 53lbs | ✔ 4 running track colour options ✔ Very stable design ✔ Suitable for large cats ✘ Large and heavy when assembled |
The Ferris cat wheel is suitable for large cats with its 51 inch diameter (48 inch inner diameter) so that cats do not have to arch their back as much when running.
The design is very strong and durable.
| GoPet CG4012 – Cat Treadwheel | Specifications | Pros and Cons |
 | Weight Limit: 25lbs Size: 44″H x 19″D x 41″W Assembled Weight: 42lbs | ✔ Quiet operation ✔ Free spinning design ✔ 1 year warranty ✘ Expensive |
This free-spinning design is different to the other cat wheels on show. With a center shaft there is very little friction making it easy to turn.
This wheel also has the benefit of being shipped fully assembled.
The Secret to Keeping Your Cat Sleek and Active
What most people who own cats, or who are owned by cats, don’t realise is this:
Mealtime is bonding time with your cat for you, but it’s just time to eat for your cat.
We all look for signs of affection coming back to us from our cats. We get them when we give our kitties treats. We eagerly wait for them to show appreciation for the delicate morsels we put in their bowl instead of what we consider bland, dry cat food. But for your cat, mealtime is just about staying fed.
Cats need nutrients that people don’t. Humans make the glucose that fuels their bodies mostly from carbohydrates. Cats can’t use carbohydrates to make glucose the way humans do, and to a modest extent, dogs can.
Cats constantly turn protein into sugar. They can permanently damage their health in as little as 24 hours if they don’t get protein-rich food. They can develop heart disease and go blind if they don’t get an amino that people don’t need in their food, taurine. This means your cat doesn’t want to be social at mealtime.
But we don’t realise that, and we feed our cats more and more to get those elusive signs of affection. As a result, cats get fat.
Obesity in House Cats
Research veterinarians tell us that obesity in pet cats has reached pandemic proportions. Approximately every other house cat is obese, no matter where you go.
Obesity is a tremendous health problem for cats. Just like people, cats packing extra weight wear out their joints. They develop osteoarthritis, which makes jumping and running painful. Also, just like people, obese cats are prone to diabetes.
And unlike people, obese cats often develop skin infections because they can’t reach all the places they usually groom themselves. Patches of skin get trapped between fat folds, or the cat can’t reach some places.
Exercise is the Answer When Your Cat Is Seriously Overweight
You can always try portion control to help your cat lose weight. You will need to get advice from your vet on how much to feed your cat, and then the entire family must ensure your cat gets just the food on the veterinarian-prescribed diet.
That isn’t easy because most cat owners enjoy feeding their cats.
Some cat lovers might wonder if intermittent fasting could help cats lose weight. Intermittent fasting can be dangerous for cats. Cats need a steady supply of protein-rich food for their bodies to make glucose. If they don’t get it, their livers will try to convert stored fat to sugar, but this process becomes toxic in hours.
The natural remedy for feline obesity is exercise. Fortunately, getting your cat to exercise is easy with an exercise wheel.
What’s a Cat Exercise Wheel?
If you have never seen a cat exercise wheel before, the image that pops into your mind might be a hamster wheel, only larger.
Cat exercise wheels are larger than exercise wheels for animals living in cages. They are ergonomically designed to protect your pet’s paws. They are easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning, moving, or storage. They are aesthetically pleasing. They look good on the floor.
Every cat exercise wheel is circular. Some cat exercise wheels have ramps that allow older cats to walk onto the wheel.
The more affordable cat exercise wheels are made from plastic, but you can buy a cat exercise wheel made from natural wood for a little more.
What Are the Benefits of a Cat Exercise Wheel?
The sooner you get your kitty accustomed to spending time on an exercise the wheel, the sooner your cat will enjoy the main benefit of exercise:
Maintaining range of motion.
Cats that get gentle, gradual exercise stay more flexible. They have fewer joint problems. In particular, they have fewer problems from hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia is a common condition in which the “ball” of the femur does not fit into the “socket” of the hip bone. The problem is poorly formed cartilage. The problem is made worse by jumping up to the counter or going up and down steps or stairs to the litter box or the food and water bowls.
An exercise wheel gives your cat endless hours of activity with minimal stress on vulnerable hip joints.
This exercise is crucial for Himalayan, Persian, and Maine Coon cats. The larger a cat is, the more she can benefit from an exercise wheel.
Exercise also helps with behavioural issues.
Cats instinctively thrive on chasing prey. You wouldn’t want your cat out chasing mice in your neighbour’s yard, but an extended spin on the exercise wheel gives cats many of the sensations they crave.
Training a Cat to Use an Exercise Wheel
Here is something to help you train your cat to use a new exercise wheel:
Make sure your cat gets to know the scent of the wheel before your cat has to learn the feel of the wheel.
The principle applies to introducing your cat to a dog or any other new pet. For cats, smelling is believing. If your cat catches a whiff of a favourite toy or blanket on the wheel, she will check it out. Allowing your cat to feel comfortable with the exercise wheel before encouraging him to get on it can save you days of frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are four things you can do to get your cat to use the exercise wheel.
First, ensure the wheel is in an easily accessible spot and is quiet enough so your cat won’t be scared away by noise or traffic from other pets. You don’t want your cat distracted by the family dog.
Second, try enticing your cat to use the wheel with a small toy placed on the wheel. Think low-tech. A mouse toy hung above the wheel often motivates the cat to play.
Do you have a scared cat? If your cat is afraid to get on the exercise wheel, let her paw it and nap on it first. Then, move to the fourth step.
Once your cat has all four paws on the wheel, get down on the floor next to the wheel. Hold a treat, a cloth “mouse” filled with catnip, or some treats in your hand just in front of your cat. As your cat pedals the wheel, let her enjoy the treat!
15 minutes a day on the exercise wheel is ideal. Walking on the wheel is as beneficial as running for most cats and preferable for senior cats.
Yes. You can make a wheel for your cat from two pieces of plywood glued to circular aluminium flashing. Cover the flashing with carpet, and then mount your wheel on a table-like base. You may need just about $50 worth of materials, but, like all DIY projects, making a cat wheel is often a process of trial and error.
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