How a Cat Exercise Wheel Can Fight Obesity

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
It’s not like you can take your cat for a jog! If your kitty has a few pounds to work off, consider a cat exercise wheel.


A cat exercise wheel can easily be described as a giant hamster wheel. Acting much like a treadmill that spins under the kitty’s weight, this innovative pet care product has been getting cat owners talking, or at least watching the funny YouTube videos of cats using these wheels.


Even though an exercise wheel has become popular, is it the right choice for your kitty? Should you think about investing in this product, or should you stick with more traditional methods for getting your pet to exercise?


Does Your Cat Need a New Way to Exercise?


Whether your kitty is overweight or obese and really needs to get active and in shape, or you simply want to make sure your cat continues to maintain a healthy weight, a cat exercise wheel could help. And if you have been finding it difficult to motivate your cat to move, he may actually enjoy hopping on the exercise wheel and running or walking at his own pace to get in a good workout while having fun.


Related: How Much Should I Feed My Cat?


A lot of cat owners are also too busy to interact with their cats and give them the daily exercise that they need. If your kitty is often seen lounging on the bed or couch while his toys are on the floor not being used, a feline exercise wheel might be a good solution because your pet can use it whenever he wants, and you don’t have to worry about scheduling in extra playtime to get your cat moving.


Does Your Kitty Have a Lot of Energy to Expend?


Some kitties get restless when they have a lot of energy to expend but nothing to do. If this is the case, your pet might benefit from an exercise wheel. After a few minutes of running on the wheel, he’s sure to be tired and ready for a nap, and he will feel better because he won’t have all of that extra energy that could turn into destructive behavior.


Related: Best Cat Weight Loss Tips


If you find that your cat is often bored or trying to get your attention so you can play with him, an exercise wheel might give him the chance to let that energy out at any time of the day or night. And you can even increase the level of fun by using a laser pointer to motivate your cat to run faster while on the wheel.


Do You Have the Space and Money for an Exercise Wheel?


Finally, when deciding upon whether or not a cat exercise wheel would be a good addition to the pet products already in your home, bear in mind that these wheels are not small. For example, the Cat Wheel II by Catswall is roughly 47” in diameter and 14” wide. Its base is about 35” long by 14” wide and 12” high. But, its modern design looks good in any home or condo décor!


But in addition to having enough space in your home for a cat exercise wheel, you also need to have space in your budget because these products aren’t cheap. Depending upon which brand of cat wheel you purchase, and the retailer you use, you are likely to spend a few hundred dollars on this investment for your kitty.


Giving your cat the opportunity to exercise in a variety of ways is important, which is why the cat exercise wheel is such a great idea. If you can afford one and you have the space for one in your home, it will probably be a wise investment. Just be aware that your kitty may require a little bit of coaxing at first until he figures out how to use the wheel. But once he gets moving on it, it should be a lot of fun for him, and very entertaining for you to watch.

Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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