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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat wheels?

17 replies

Ollybob · 01/05/2025 18:45

I'm tempted by a cat wheel as my indoor cats are looking a little chunky round the middle 😸
Are they worth it?
I've seen a couple but looking at them wonder if I need to get a bigger one to enable them to run properly.
I don't know if they are like hamster wheels where the majority are too small and can damage their backs.
I will be looking into food too but one boy suffers hairballs and his current one is working really well so aside from cutting it down I'd rather not change it.
Any experience with them would be great, Tia 😺

OP posts:
RandomMess · 01/05/2025 18:51

You need to get the large sized ones so they can stretch out properly and safely.

Allergictoironing · 01/05/2025 19:31

I'm not really sure that many cats will happily exercise in a wheel!

I have a similar problem with the hairy chunkster aka Tobias. He definitely needs to lose weight, and at this time of year averages around two hairballs every three weeks. I also have to allow for Girlcat's requirements, and she's slim &sheds a lot less. Currently got them on about 1/4 RC Hairball dry, and 3/4 RC Light Weight - I think he's lost a little bit of weight now

Original poster
Ollybob · 01/05/2025 19:35

Allergictoironing · 01/05/2025 19:31

I'm not really sure that many cats will happily exercise in a wheel!

I have a similar problem with the hairy chunkster aka Tobias. He definitely needs to lose weight, and at this time of year averages around two hairballs every three weeks. I also have to allow for Girlcat's requirements, and she's slim &sheds a lot less. Currently got them on about 1/4 RC Hairball dry, and 3/4 RC Light Weight - I think he's lost a little bit of weight now

Yes that does cross my mind! I think out of the two the slimmer one would prefer a wheel than the other 😂
There was a free one on marketplace the other day but an hour away and not sure I'd get it in my car 😬

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 01/05/2025 19:54

I doubt they’d use it!

Favouritefruits · 01/05/2025 19:57

It’ll end up sat in the corner of your room

RumNotRun · 01/05/2025 20:10

I wish there was somewhere you could hire them to try them out. I'd love to get one for Toad and think he'd enjoy it but it's a lot of money for something that may not (almost definitely will not) be used.

ScottBakula · 01/05/2025 20:48

I have thought about getting one for my cat too but like pp I don't know if my cat would use it either.
Though he is full of beans 70% of the time.

@RumNotRun if you ever set up a hire business can I be 1st in line please

afaloren · 01/05/2025 21:38

The only cats I’ve ever known to use them are Bengals!

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 01/05/2025 21:39

My friend has one - and their cats love it! This is a screenshot from a video he sent me, I wish I could post the actual video. She is so fast on it!

Cat wheels?
Allergictoironing · 01/05/2025 22:12

That pic does have suspiciously Bengal style markings though....

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 01/05/2025 22:24

Allergictoironing · 01/05/2025 22:12

That pic does have suspiciously Bengal style markings though....

They have three bengals, all rescues - I think the person who posted above saying that posted at the same time as I did!

PerfectPlace · 01/05/2025 22:31

My friend has one of these and 2 of her 3 cats use it. Not bengals.

Toddlerteaplease · 01/05/2025 22:34

Has anyone seen the reel of the cat pretending that he can’t possibly spin the wheel on his own. So makes his owners do it. But the is caught on camera overnight using it with no problem. It’s hilarious. (Don’t know how to link it though)

Lilyjfree · 01/05/2025 23:14

We have several of the big ones at the rescue where I volunteer, most cats ignore them, but we have had several cats who love them. No rhyme or reason as to which cat will take to it. The best was the chonky blind cat. He worked out he could run and run safely on it and it was a joy to see. His new home had to purchase him one when he got adopted as he loved it so much 😆

lunalovegood25 · 01/05/2025 23:26

mine would take one look and decide it was a new nap spot
he’s exhausted after 30 mins outside

Cat wheels?
RumNotRun · 02/05/2025 09:03

Toddlerteaplease · 01/05/2025 22:34

Has anyone seen the reel of the cat pretending that he can’t possibly spin the wheel on his own. So makes his owners do it. But the is caught on camera overnight using it with no problem. It’s hilarious. (Don’t know how to link it though)

Yes! It's so cute.

blueberrysoap · 02/05/2025 14:12

My cat loves using her wheel, I have to take it off the runners at night or she will keep me awake as they can be quite noisy. You do need to get a big one as the need to be able to keep their spines straight whilst running

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