In this article, we have reviewed the best exercise wheel for cats. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot of the top ones.
Table of Contents
There are nearly 95.6 million cats living in 32mn households in the United States in 2017.[1][2]
Cats are naturally lethargic creatures, (who can forget the famous comic character “garfield”, the epitome of lethargy). However much you love feeding your pet cat and turning it into a ball of fur, lethargy and obesity are not friends of your pet.
A study reveals that there are 19 disease categories and 227 defined feline diseases in a study population of 8175 cats belonging to 30 breeds[3]. Many of these are linked to weight related problems.
If you too are concerned about your kitties growing belly, then an exercise wheel specifically made for cats can prove to be an excellent exercise tool for your purry friend.
You might be wondering exercise wheels? Aren’t they meant for hamsters? Well, there are a few pet parents who thought it was a good idea to bring this innovation to the feline family as well. Well, here’s a fun video on what these awesome exercise wheels look like in use:
Through this article, we have brought some of the best exercise wheels for cats that will help keep them busy and healthy.
Our Top Choice One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel
The ONE FAST CAT Exercise Wheel (Cool Grey) (Use the same link that we were using in conclusion section) is our top choice for Best Exercise Wheel For Cats, because of the following reasons:
- It is one of the most rewarding training equipment for your cat.
- Constructed with 100% recycled plastic that is lightweight and can be carried from one place to another.
- Sturdy enough for holding weight up to 25 pounds.
- Made with EVA foam to give a cushioned feel to the cats while exercising.
- Cleaning the equipment with a damp cloth is very convenient.
- With a large diameter of 48 inches, the exercising gear is just perfect for any size of cats.
- It helps to keep the cat active and also helps to burn extra calories.
Best Exercise Wheel For Cats
#1 One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel
For making your bored cat happy, you can choose this fast cat exercise wheel. Once the cat learns to run on the wheel, it will stay active all day. Usually, every two hours, they will run and hop on the wheel and keep themselves busy. It will not only help them to burn extra calories but will also help the cat to stay happy.
Features and Benefits
- Large diameter: with a large diameter of 48 inches provides perfect running space for the cat. The cat can hop, run, jump, and have fun staying active when in the exercise wheel.
- Foam running surface: with EVA foam padding on the wheel’s inner surface, this equipment is just perfect for running and balancing on the wheel. The claws do not scratch while running due to the padded EVA foam.
- Greater stability: the roller blade wheels are modified and provide greater stability while running. The wheel does not move from its place as it is sturdy enough to bear weight up to 25 pounds.
- Lightweight and movable: the wheel is made with lightweight 100 % recycled material that is easy to maintain and move from one place to another. You can take this equipment outdoors as well as indoors.
Why should you buy it?
If you are looking for budget-friendly exercising gear for your cat, this One fast cat wheel is perfect. With perfect quality and EVA foam padding that helps smooth landing by the cats, this is one of the best devices for indoor exercising.
You might also like to read: Best Water Fountain For Flat Faced Cats
#2 One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel Green
This exercise equipment will help to prevent boredom amongst cats. It is one of the safest toys to play with and avoid being bored. It makes your pet active and healthy at the same time. It is easy to assemble and sturdy and lightweight enough to be moved from one place to another.
Features and Benefits
- Tool-free assembly: the wheel requires tool free assembling, just take it out of the box and use it. It is lightweight and sturdy that makes it very convenient to use.
- Strong material: recycled plastic makes the wheel strong enough to withstand the weight of the pet easily.
- Open Design: open design wheel makes it convenient for the pet to enter the gear and walk with ease. Its diameter is 48 inches, and the base is 34 inches *12 inches. EVA foam interior makes it easy for the cat to run on the wheel without the claws scratching.
Why should you buy it?
The wheel attracts the cats, and they will love playing inside the wheel. Running on the wheel will make them fit and healthy. Hopping and playing in the wheel will also make the cat healthy. The diameter of the wheel is 48 inches, which is best suited for big cats.
#3 GOPET Treadwheel For Small Dogs/Cats
All those who have a small house and do not have extra space for your pet to play can buy this treadwheel. It is perfect for heavier cats as its cushioned matted surface protects the cat’s paws from scratching while running on the wheel.
Features and Benefits
- Unlimited running surface: the exercise wheel offers an unlimited running surface for the cat to run and walk indoors and outdoors. With a running area of 40D*12W exercise wheel can withstand a weight of 25 pounds with ease. This makes the device firm and sturdy.
- Adds comfort: the running surface mat provides the cat’s ultimate comfort to get relief from boredom. It can easily exercise on its own even if the owner is not around.
- UV resistant- the wheel is UV resistant that makes it perfect for outdoor use. It remains as it is even if used outdoors in any weather.
- Safe and stable gear: the gear is safe for the cats and can be used anytime in the day or night as your pet likes. It does not move easily, even if the cat jumps and hops on the wheel.
Why should you buy it?
If you lack space at home, this gear is perfect for outdoor use also. Since it is not made of wood or cardboard, you can easily use it outdoors.
You might also like to read: Best Cat Litter For Declawed Cats
#4 Mishap Pet Furniture, Cat Climbing Wheel
Made of luxury wood, this treadmill wheel is a perfect exercising and playing tool for your cat. The natural wood frame for cats is a fun tool that gives the ultimate space for playing and exercising. It is a comfortable and easy to use frame that your cats will surely love.
Features and Benefits
- Solid wood frame: the wheel has a solid wooden frame that is made with a pine base with natural sisal that makes it strong enough for the cats to run and jump on the frame with ease. The jute is strong and water-resistant that makes the base stable enough to run and play.
- Increased activity range: the wheel’s broad base provides an increased area for playing and doing different activities for your pet. It has a thick diameter of 31.4 inches, with a thickness of 10.6 inches.
- High-quality material: the frame is made with solid wood, and the running frame is made with wear-resistant and scratch-resistant material that provides a smooth running area. The environmentally natural wood framework is strong to withstand the weight of a cat.
Why should you buy it?
It is effortless to maintain this piece of pet furniture, and it can support the weight of an average adult cat. With its wooden base and pinewood plates, the wheel provides stability and is safe for cats.
#5 Creation Core Multi-Level Cat Wheel
For training your cat on the wheel with multiple exercises, this gear is perfect. If you own more than one cat, this gear is perfect as it is large in size.
Features and Benefits
- Eco-friendly material: made with recycled corrugated paper that makes it very eco-friendly and safe to use. Your cats will love the free organic catnip. It is non-toxic and easy to use by small cats.
- Ergonomic design: this toy can be used in multipurpose ways of exercising and playing. The outer piece makes it easy for the cats to climb and to play. Its unique waterwheel design makes it stand out from its counterparts. It is very interesting and entertaining for the cats to use.
- Weight and size: its weight is 2.1 pounds, and size is 57.5*27.6*27.0 inches, which is more than some of its counterparts making it ideal for big cats or 2 or more small cats.
Why should you buy it?
Ideal for training small cats, especially when you have 2-3 cats in the house. Its unique waterwheel treadmill style makes it loved by the cats.
You might also like to read: Most Environmentally Friendly Cat Litter
#6 BZZBZZ Cat Exercise Wheel
This exercise wheel will help your cat live an active lifestyle as it gives the pet freedom to flex and stretch. With a large diameter, this fitness gear provides the ultimate entertainment for the cats.
Features and Benefits
- Multipurpose wheel: this multipurpose wheel helps the cat to get training for playing and exercising on this gear. By running regularly on the wheel, the claws sharpen due to sisal material on the base. The cats love exercising on it.
- Strong material: strong sisal material is friction resistant and helps sharpen the cat’s claws as it runs on it.
- Stable base: the base is stable enough for any kind of cat, big, small, and an adult. The reinforced bottom provides perfect stability when the cat runs on the wheel.
- Dimension: height is 26.3 inches, width 10.2 inches, and diameter of 24.8 inches. It has sideboards attached to it so that the cat does not fall from the wheel easily. The length of the board is 15.7 inches, and a height of 7.8 inches.
Why should you buy it?
This gear is perfect for any kind of cat, big, small, or adult. It can be used for playing, sharpening the claws, and even for sleeping. Your cat will definitely enjoy moving on the wheel. The base is wide enough and gives ample space to the cat for playing and exercising.
Buyer’s Guide: Best Exercise Wheel For Cats
Size And Diameter Of The Wheel
This plays an important role. The wheel needs to be of appropriate size so that the cat can easily roll the wheel without much effort. Choose a bigger wheel if you want to accommodate 2 or more cats. A smaller wheel will work if you have a single small cat.
Material
Look for material that is BPA free and is non-toxic too. Material that is skin-friendly to the dogs is the best to choose. The inside needs to be either padded with EVA foam so that the claws do not scratch while exercising. The inside surface must help grip the wheel with ease, especially when the wheel is moving.
Safety
Before buying an exercise wheel, make sure that the wheel is designed considering the cat’s spinal health. The exercising tool must guarantee the safety of your little pet. Some testimonials and certifications need to be attached to the device so that the buyer is mentally tension-free about the pet’s safety.
Durability
The device must be durable and sturdy enough to withstand a weight of 25-35 pounds. Its material and framework will tell about its sturdiness. It must be stable enough to stay in place when the cat hops or plays with the exercising wheel.
Spacious
The running and play area needs to be spacious enough for the cat. If you have 2-3 cats, choosing a wheel that can easily accommodate more than two cats will be the best.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Exercise Wheel For Cats
How useful is an exercise wheel for cats?
An exercising wheel is very useful for cats as it helps the cat be very active all day long. More than being active, it reduces the boredom of the cats. If your cat is gaining weight daily, then an exercise wheel will help reduce extra fat and burn calories every time the cat runs on the wheel. The cat can also play with other cats on the wheel, and further use it for sleeping with ease. It acts as a toy for your cat, and it will also enjoy spending time on the wheel.
What is the best diameter of the wheel for smaller and bigger cats?
For smaller cats, a wheel with a diameter of 22 inches is the best. For bigger cats, a wheel with a diameter of 40 inches will suit them best. It provides plenty of room for walking and playing with ease.
What are the few most important features when choosing an exercise wheel for cats?
A few of the most important features when buying an exercise wheel for cats are foam padding and a smooth base. A smooth base provides stability and is safe while the cats run and play. Foam padding helps protect the cat’s paws from scratching when it is in the mood of exercising and playing.
Q. How can I get my indoor cat to exercise?
Indoor cats can get really lethargic and it becomes difficult to make them shed extra kilos. Below are some of the ways in which you can help them regain their lively spirit:
- Playing indoor games with them like feathers on a stick or rolling a ball for them to catch.
- Provide a scratching post and keep rotating their toys every now and then so that they dont get bored
- Using small chew toys to encourage them to hunt a bit
- Building a “hiding” lair for them to keep running to after meals and play time
- If you’re worried about excessive eating, there are many automatic cat feeders that can help you portion their food and some “slow feed” bowls as well, which slow down their eating speed by making them eat through complex shapes and designs
Conclusion
Don’t make your cat a couch potato, give them an exercise wheel and introduce a healthy lifestyle for them.
In our opinion, the ONE FAST CAT Exercise Wheel (Cool Grey) is the best choice among the various options that we have considered, because with a large diameter of 48 inches provides perfect running space for the cat. The cat can hop, run, jump, and have fun staying active when in the exercise wheel.
The One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel - Green is our next best choice because it makes your pet active and healthy at the same time. It is easy to assemble and sturdy and lightweight enough to be moved from one place to another.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the Creation Core Multi-Level Cat Scratcher Board Ferris Wheel Shaped Toy Bed Scratching Posts Cave Activity Centre Cat Waterwheel Furniture for Kittens Cats and Pets, which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
Other Articles of Interest:
References:
[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/198102/cats-in-the-united-states-since-2000/
[2] https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics
