Many pets are accustomed to leading an active lifestyle. At home, a loving owner needs to monitor the physical health of his pet. As it turns out, it's not just hamsters or chinchillas that need a running wheel. Recently, such a simulator has found its use among cat owners.
DIY running wheel for cats
Who needs it?
A running wheel is a kind of exercise machine, which is primarily needed by active domestic cats. Space in apartments is quite limited and animals do not have the opportunity to express all their energy. If you prevent an active pet from playing, then over time he may become lazy and spend most of his time sleeping or at the food bowl.
Passive individuals have an increased risk of gaining excess weight, which, in turn, can lead to serious health problems. A running wheel will be an excellent alternative to free-ranging on the street for natural predators.
Among all cats, representatives of the following breeds are distinguished by activity:
- Abyssinian;
- Somali;
- Egyptian Mau;
- savannah;
- Bengal;
- oriental;
- Siamese;
- Ocicat.
However, this does not mean that only these animals will like the simulator. Any cat can be active, regardless of its breed.
Advantages and disadvantages
Running wheels for cats have both advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider the advantages of such a simulator.
- The wheel allows you to organize leisure time for your pet. Individuals who like to run around the apartment in the mornings and nights will no longer bother tired owners and wake them up.
- The health benefits for cats are undeniable. For lazy individuals, periodic jogging allows you to maintain normal weight and not gain fat. Active pets will be able to splash out their energy at any time. Exercise also helps maintain muscle tone.
- Exercising on a treadmill not only allows you to maintain normal weight and train muscles, but also has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and lungs.
- In many wheel models, the inside is lined with carpet and can serve as a scratching post for your pet.
As for the disadvantages, they are not so significant for running wheels. Let us highlight the main disadvantages of the simulator.
- Ready-made models are quite expensive . However, on the Internet you can find ready-made drawings and instructions for making such wheels, which will save money.
- Some exercise machines are quite large and are only suitable for large rooms.
- Not all cats are ready to immediately appreciate all the advantages of a running wheel. The owner sometimes has to spend a lot of time to accustom his pet to the exercise machine.
Running wheels are not suitable for all cats. And it's not always about the animal's temperament. If the cat has any injuries or illnesses, training on the simulator may not be acceptable.
Varieties
All running wheels have the same operating principle. Ready-made models of exercise equipment for cats primarily differ in size, material of manufacture and appearance.
Wheels can be of different diameters: small designs are designed only for kittens , and therefore after the animal grows up, they will become unnecessary. Large exercise machines are more practical and will come in handy, especially if there are several cats living in the house.
As for materials, they can be very different. The most commonly used materials are wood, plastic and metal. Simple kitten models can also be made from cardboard . Wood is considered the most versatile option in this case.
Let's consider these options.
- Wood is initially an environmentally friendly material and will not cause allergies in animals or other inhabitants of the house. Typically, exercise machines made of wood are quite lightweight and can be easily moved to a new location. Also, wooden models will fit well into almost any interior.
- Plastic wheels are lightweight and small in size. However, such structures cannot be called reliable and durable. They are quite unstable, and if any part of the simulator breaks, replacing it will be extremely problematic.
- Metal models are the heaviest, but at the same time they are stable and reliable. Moving the structure to a new location will be a little problematic. But the likelihood that the wheel will quickly fail is extremely small. Typically, such models are made to order or independently, if you have experience working with welding equipment.
- Cardboard wheels can hardly be called a full-fledged exercise machine. Such models are designed exclusively for kittens and small breed cats. With a high probability, animals will use the product for other purposes and, instead of training, will prefer to tear off pieces of cardboard from it.
What types of running wheels are there for cats?
The operating principle of all running wheels is the same. The main difference is in the design and material used. Exercise machines are usually made of wood, plastic, metal or corrugated cardboard. Each material has its own positive qualities and disadvantages.
Wood is the most versatile, environmentally friendly and natural material for making cat running wheels. Most often, products made from light plywood are offered. For its basis, trees such as birch, walnut, oak, and pine are taken. The wooden exercise machine will fit perfectly into the interior of the apartment and will delight your pet every day. If you want to make a homemade wheel from wood, then keep in mind that it must first be treated to prevent rotting and its condition must be monitored.
The weight of a wooden exercise machine is from two kilograms or more
The plastic wheel is light in weight and easy to assemble at home. It is convenient to clean, but like any other thing made of plastic, such a simulator can quickly break down and repairing it will be problematic.
The plastic wheel looks aesthetically pleasing
The metal wheel is reliable, stable, durable, easy to clean, but most often it is solid and bulky, so it is inconvenient to transport. Such products are most often made by the owners themselves in home workshops.
A metal wheel is more reliable than others, but also heavier
A cardboard wheel is perfect for kittens and light weight cats. It is much easier to assemble than wood or plastic, but quickly becomes unusable. Many cats like to use cardboard objects as scratching posts, so sometimes paper scraps form next to this simulator
Cardboard wheel may not last long
Table. Comparative characteristics of materials for making wheels
| Material | Advantages | Flaws |
| Tree | Reliability, durability, aesthetics | Heavy weight, requires care |
| Plastic | Light weight, easy to assemble and clean, transportable | Fragility |
| Cardboard | Light weight, easy to assemble, transportable | Rapid wear |
| Metal | Easy to clean, no assembly required. | Heavy weight, non-transportable |
Some craftsmen use a combination of different materials to create a wheel. The resulting hybrid options are with a base made of plywood or iron and a running part made of corrugated cardboard.
By design, the wheels are either open or semi-closed. The first option assumes that the cat can enter the wheel from any side. In the closed type, one side is adjacent to the wall and is completely closed. Depending on the design option, a rotation mechanism is installed. In the open type, rotation is carried out by rollers under the wheel itself on the bottom of the stand. Such a wheel is less stable and can “walk” slightly under the weight of the cat. In the closed type, the mechanism itself that allows the wheel to spin is located on the side and allows the structure to maintain balance. If the pet is too reckless and energetic, then if he loses coordination, the side wall will be able to align his trajectory and will not allow him to fall off the wheel.
To make the cat “spin on the wheel” more actively, some models are equipped with various teasers in the form of a laser beam or a toy mouse. It is better to make such toys removable so that the cat does not get used to them.
There is a special coating inside the exercise machine to prevent the cat's paws from slipping while moving. It can be carpet, rubber, felt, foam mat. The modern market offers a choice of wheels with a wide variety of designs:
- with different wheel shapes (round, polygonal);
- with different designs for the back wall;
- different colors;
- running wheels built into play complexes;
A large play complex will give your cat a lot of positive emotions
How to choose?
When choosing a running wheel, first of all you need to take into account the amount of free space in the apartment that can be allocated for installing the exercise machine. You also need to consider the number of cats in the house, their height and weight. For a large number of animals or for a large pet, massive, stable, semi-closed models are best suited.
Veterinarians recommend not using wheels with a diameter of less than one meter. The width of the path should not be less than thirty centimeters. Otherwise, the animal may damage its spine while exercising on small exercise machines.
When purchasing a finished model in a store, you must carefully inspect the entire structure. A product made of low-quality materials or with poor fastenings can, at best, not last long, and at worst, cause injury to your pet.
The inner surface of the wheel should not be slippery. It is best if it is covered with carpet or felt. Exercise machines differ in appearance and can be of different colors, so you can choose the right option for any interior.
Step by step instructions 4
Attach the foam to the inside walls of the large box using tape.
Insert a small box like a nesting doll.
Place non-synthetic rags at the bottom. Do not use wool, as it strongly absorbs moisture. The best option is a fleece blanket.
Wrap the house in thick, waterproof film. Tape all seams with wide tape to avoid drafts.
In the corner of the structure, cut a 15x15 cm exit. As you know, a cat crawls through a hole if its head passes through. A small hole is necessary to retain heat. Secure the edges of the hole with tape.
Make a foundation of bricks or boards - the house needs to rise above the ground for additional insulation from cold and water.
How to do it yourself?
Running wheels for cats are just beginning to gain popularity in Russia. The prices for such simulators are quite high, and it is not always possible to find a product in a small town. You can, of course, order a wheel from an online store, but then you won’t be able to first inspect it for defects and will have to take the seller’s word for it or the description on the website.
If you have the necessary materials and tools, you can make the simulator yourself. It won't take much time and won't cost much. The easiest way would be to make a wooden wheel. To make it you will need the following materials and tools:
- wood grinding machine;
- thick sheets of plywood;
- carpet or felt;
- tape measure and rope;
- construction pencil;
- bolts and nuts;
- Miter saw;
- small wheels;
- construction adhesive;
- wooden slats and beams;
- fasteners;
- knife and drill;
- bearings.
First of all, on sheets of plywood it is necessary to mark the boundaries of two circles that will serve as a frame for the future simulator. It is desirable that the diameter of each be at least one meter. Next, you need to cut out two circles and fasten them together at a distance of at least thirty centimeters using bars.
The bars, in turn, are fastened to the plywood using a screwdriver, glue or ordinary nails. The empty cavity between the circles needs to be closed and this is done by gluing slats around the circumference of the wheel. To make the structure stronger, the slats are tied with a thick rope or belt.
When all the elements of the wheel are glued together, you will need to cut out one or two sides, depending on the type of future structure. Next, you need to make a stand with wheels and attach it either to the side wall of the drum or directly under it.
To make the stand you will need two small pieces of plywood in the shape of a semicircle. A pair of rollers are installed on both sides, which will rotate the structure. For a semi-closed design, it is necessary to make a special axle for rotation and attach it to the side wall of the wheel.
The finished wooden structure must be coated with a special compound that prevents wood from rotting. The inner surface should be finished with felt or carpet. You can attach pieces of material with double-sided tape, but it will be more reliable to use glue.
House made of wire and T-shirts
To create such a shelter, you will need 2 pieces of wire 50 cm long, an old T-shirt, but without holes, a piece of cardboard of the required dimensions, pliers, pins and tape.
Advice! Instead of wire, you can take 2 wire hangers. With their help it is easier to create the correct shape of the house.
Since the piece of cardboard has cut edges, they can be slightly refined by decorating them with tape. The edges are covered with tape on all sides to ultimately achieve a neat look. This design also contributes to greater strength. Holes are made in each corner of the cardboard, the diameter of which is approximately the same as the thickness of the wire. You should not make them close to heaven, as the material will quickly tear.
After the completed steps, the finished frame is installed on a cardboard base, its ends falling into the holes. In this case, the frame should not fall out of the holes, but should hold firmly. The ends of the wire on the reverse side are bent, but so that a sufficient part remains for complete fastening.
Next, we take the finished tent and place it on a flat surface. It is necessary to determine whether the frame is installed smoothly and how securely the house itself is designed.
Be sure to pay attention to the fastening. If something seems wrong, it should be corrected at this stage of installation. After leveling the frame of the house, an old T-shirt is put on it so that the collar becomes the entrance, and the sleeves can be tucked under the bottom
At the bottom of the sleeve the T-shirt is secured with threads or pins
After leveling the frame of the house, an old T-shirt is put on it so that the collar becomes the entrance, and the sleeves can be tucked under the bottom. At the bottom of the sleeve, the T-shirt is secured with threads or pins.
Inside, on the bottom of the house, you can put a soft pillow or a blanket folded in several layers to make it soft and comfortable for your pet to be inside. The cat will definitely appreciate such an original house.
How to accustom an animal to a simulator?
Many cats are distinguished not only by their activity, but also by their innate curiosity. These pets are happy to explore new objects on their own. In this case , additional training on how to use the simulator will most likely not be required, and the cat will master the wheel on its own.
However, not all domestic cats will be ready to take the initiative in learning the running wheel and will be reluctant to learn something new. In any case, before you begin any active actions and try to put your pet on the wheel, you need to give him some time to get used to the simulator. Let the animal independently approach the object, examine and sniff it.
To draw attention to the wheel, you can place your cat's favorite toys next to it or directly in it. You can lure your pet to the simulator using a laser toy. In order for the animal to independently take a few steps inside the drum, you can attach a toy to the side surface.
After the first movements in the wheel, the cat may get scared and run away. Under no circumstances should you scold your pet for this. Usually within a week the cat gets used to the simulator and willingly begins to use it. There is no need to expect or demand from an animal that it runs on a wheel for a long time, since cats have nothing in common with hamsters or squirrels.
How to train a cat to ride a wheel?
Don't expect your cat to spin a wheel all day long, like a hamster or a squirrel. The respiratory system of a cat is designed in such a way that it can withstand maximum load for 30-40 seconds. This is exactly how much it takes for a cat in the wild to catch its prey. They spend the rest of their time tracking and lying in wait for their prey. To understand the delights of running in wheel to wheel, the cat needs to get used to and examine the new furniture, not be afraid of the noise and movement of the wheel itself.
The first step is to move your games that you usually play to the area of the wheel or to the room where it is located. Use a laser, mouse, bell, or other teaser to get your cat to step onto the treadmill several times. It will take 2-3 days to get used to the simulator. Hang the toy on the side of the drum, above the cat's reach. In pursuit of the toy, the cat will make several movements and the wheel will begin to rotate. If this works, then after 10-15 seconds let the cat take possession of the toy. If the cat gets scared of the wheel and jumps out of it, then you need to continue playing near the simulator without rewarding the cat with a toy.
Physical activity is extremely important for cats
Over time, your pet will get used to the wheel and playing inside it. Do not forget that at the end of the hunting game the cat must get what she wants. Veterinarians advise not to keep your cat constantly excited and to give it rest between games to regain its strength.
Benefits of a running wheel
In fact, the simulator will be useful for a cat with any character. Energetic animals will be able to run around in it to their heart's content, and calm ones will be able to shake out their fat a little. The problem of excess weight is especially acute in castrated and sterilized cats. For them, the wheel will be an effective way to lose a couple of extra pounds. The owner should remember that obesity in an animal is also fraught with problems with the heart and joints, just like in humans. In addition, your pet will appreciate the original design of the wheel. He will clearly enjoy the activity - depression will go away and his mood will improve.
You can make a running wheel for cats yourself. Self-production will allow you to save not only a decent amount of money (from 10 to 25 thousand rubles), but also as a result you will get an original design that no one else will have. However, before you start purchasing materials, you should study the information about what the wheel should be like so that the cat likes it.
Exercise machine for happy cats and their nervous owners
One Fast Cat - exercise machine for cats In a world where sedentary work at the computer has become the generally accepted norm, regular visits to the gym are so necessary that they have even become fashionable. We are sure that you have also noticed an unprecedented surge in interest in training among some of your friends. Moreover, sports owners even force their pets to exercise. Exercise machines for cats are a new hit in online sales.
One Fast Cat – a simulator for cats Even the cutest cat with its claws cut remains a predator. Somewhere in the depths of your furry soul. In the wild, cats are also not averse to spending half a day on their bellies (even though they don’t have a comfortable sofa for this purpose), but the remaining time from rest is spent hunting. And this is a significant physical activity, the need for which is inherent in nature itself. House purrs do not need to hunt, but the need for bursts of activity remains. So it is expressed in overturned flower pots, torn wallpaper, walking past the tray and other acts of protest. In the worst case, the animal may even become depressed. To ensure that the tailed cat remains in good health, and the owner has intact nerve cells, designers offer a special simulator for cats.
One Fast Cat - a simulator for cats The designers did not reinvent the wheel. Although they took one of his spare parts as a basis. The One Fast Cat cat trainer is a large wheel in which cats are encouraged to run as much as they want. Just like their smaller brothers - hamsters.
A cat exercise machine will not only keep your pet in good shape, but will also entertain the four-legged dog while the owner is away from home. By the way, for the same purpose, caring owners buy special robots for pets.
Depending on the breed, cats can be active or passive. Some sleep for almost a day, only interrupting for food, while others have a hunting instinct that forces them to be very active. Such cats need to splash out their energy every day. In small apartments there is not much room for animals to run around, and the owners are unlikely to be delighted with an animal endlessly jumping on the walls and windows. Therefore, a running wheel is simply necessary for such pets.
In fact, the simulator will be useful for a cat with any character. Energetic animals will be able to run around in it to their heart's content, and calm ones will be able to shake out their fat a little. The problem of excess weight is especially acute in castrated and sterilized cats. For them, the wheel will be an effective way to lose a couple of extra pounds. The owner should remember that obesity in an animal is also fraught with problems with the heart and joints, just like in humans. In addition, your pet will appreciate the original design of the wheel. He will clearly enjoy the activity - depression will go away and his mood will improve.
What you need to know about the running wheel
For the “cat simulator” to be successful, it is not enough to have all the necessary tools and preparations. It is important that the cat likes the final design. To do this, it must meet the following requirements:
- Large wheel diameter. The cat will not have to bend its body unnaturally if the size of the circle allows it to keep its back straight. In pet stores you can find wheels with a height of 80 and 120 cm, but this is not the limit. If, for example, a Maine Coon is going to jog in it, then the diameter of the wheel can be made even larger.
- Non-slip interior coating. If a cat’s paws constantly move while running, then she will definitely soon get tired of this activity. In the best case, the animal will simply jump out of the simulator, and in the worst case, it may twist its paw. So the ideal covering would be carpet or felt.
- Wheel structure. If the cat is very active and passionate, then a running wheel with an inner wall is best suited for him. It will be able to prevent the animal from “flying out” while running, and coordinate its trajectory of movements.
How to choose a running wheel in a store?
When choosing a wheel, first of all, you need to pay attention to its size so that your pet feels comfortable. A standard wheel for medium-sized cats is considered to be a simulator with a diameter of 80 cm or more, but veterinarians advise not to skimp on the length and to purchase a wheel of 1 m or more so that the cat does not have to bend its body unnaturally and does not injure the spine. The optimal width of the treadmill is 30-40 cm.
You should pay attention to the inner shell of the simulator, on which the animal will not slip when moving. The best option for covering a cat wheel is carpet or felt.
Wheels can be solid or prefabricated. When ordering a simulator through an online store, they will send you a prefabricated wheel, which you will need to assemble yourself, piece by piece. The price for such a device varies from 10 to 25 thousand rubles. The simulator can be ordered both from Russia and abroad from individuals or in various stores.
How to make a trainer yourself
There are many photos and videos with different DIY cat wheel options. This article will provide several step-by-step instructions.
Method one
This option will be quite difficult for craftsmen who have never cut into a bearing or installed rollers. More experienced craftsmen will be able to figure it out without difficulty, since photos are posted as tips.
To work you will need:
- plywood;
- Miter saw;
- rail;
- rollers;
- pencil;
- Dremel;
- centimeter;
- bearing;
- beam;
- rope;
- fasteners;
- carpet;
- drill;
- glue;
- sander;
- bolt with nut;
- pipes;
- knife;
- double sided tape.
The sequence of actions can be divided into seven stages:
- Creating a foundation. Two circles of plywood with a radius of 46 cm are cut out, which will be the base of the wheel. They are connected to each other using bars.
- Manufacturing of slats. The slats are glued around the end part. For greater strength they are secured with straps.
- Installation on rollers. Two semicircular stands are equipped with two rollers on both sides, on which the running wheel will subsequently be installed. It is due to them that the simulator will rotate.
- Wall installation. Another circle is cut out of plywood and glued to the support. In the future, a bearing will be attached to it.
- Axle placement. Since the running wheel rotates on an axis consisting of a bolt with a bushing, to install it it is necessary to strengthen the insertion point. To do this, a plywood square is glued to the back side of the wall, and a gear is placed in front. A hole is drilled in the center.
- Making a stand. It is made from a support and bars made in the form of a rack. Two boards are fixed on it, into which bearings are installed.
- Gluing the track. A strip of carpet is cut along the width of the wheel. It should be glued with double-sided tape.
Method two
This option requires the presence of a welding machine, and the manufacturing algorithm is a little simpler than the previous one. To make a running wheel for cats with your own hands according to the instructions you will need:
- steel profile;
- plywood;
- wooden barrel;
- boards;
- bearings;
- wire;
- fasteners and wrench;
- welding machine;
- dye;
- drill;
- jigsaw;
- roulette.
The sequence of actions consists of three stages:
- Creating a frame on which the wheel will be attached. To do this, you need to weld a rectangular frame from a steel profile. Immediately on the long side, retreating 10 cm from the edge, weld the crossbar. Also attach two hinge posts to it through welding at an angle of 30-45 degrees.
- Making the running wheel itself. Cut off part of the barrel. To prevent the boards from falling apart, they need to be bolted together. Cut out the back wall for the drum from plywood. The circumference should be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the narrow part of the barrel.
- Assembly of the structure. Attach the drum to the hinge so that it can rotate freely. This should be done so that the wheel rotates only forward and backward, and does not sway left and right.
How to make it yourself
If you are not afraid of work and want to try your hand, you can make a simulator for your pet yourself. We'll tell you what you need for this and how to do it.
Materials and tools
To make a simple standard wheel you need to stock up on: plywood, steel profile, bearings, wooden barrel, boards, wire or nylon thread, bolts, nuts, paint for coating. As for tools, a wrench, a tape measure (sewing tape measure), a drill, a jigsaw or its manual equivalent, a piece of sandpaper can be found in the arsenal of every skilled owner, but a welding machine may need to be purchased or borrowed.
Running wheel for cats
Legends are created, jokes are written and motivators are invented about how lazy cats are. Yes, they love to sleep, that's a fact. But in their free time from dreaming, they are not at all averse to playing sports. After all, every kitten knows that a healthy cat spirit can only exist in a healthy caudate - striped body. It’s good if the pet’s desire for an active lifestyle is supported by its owner. And, for example, he takes and gives his pet a real exercise machine - a running wheel for cats.
Who would love a cat treadmill?
It's no secret that the character of cats of different breeds can differ diametrically. Some were bred to lie on the sofa and graciously accept affection from their owners. In others, the hunting instinct of their ancestors burns, forcing them to move, run, jump and catch everything that catches their eye. The most active representatives of domestic cats are:
- Abyssinian cats;
- Balinese cats;
- Bengal cats;
- Kurilian bobtails;
- Siamese cats.
In order to throw out energy and calmly curl up on the sofa, these animals need to be very tired. Most city apartments are too small for them: two jumps from the window sill to the door - is that serious?
Punishing such cats and limiting their mobility is quite dangerous: for them it can result in serious illnesses. Buying a running wheel for cats is a decent way out of this situation.
We study the technical characteristics of “cat simulators”
Modern pet stores offer several models of cat exercise machines. As a rule, they differ in certain parameters:
- Size . The most common wheels are those with a diameter of 800 and 1200 cm. Of course, it is worth taking into account the size of the “athlete” himself. However, veterinarians advise not to save on extra centimeters. It will be much more comfortable for a cat to run in a large wheel; he will not have to bend his body unnaturally, and this will help keep the spine intact and avoid its curvature.
- Internal coating . The inside of the wheel should be lined with material that will prevent the paws from slipping. This can be carpet, felt or any other material. Otherwise, an athlete cat may even damage his paw if it falls off during exercise.
- Wheel structure . Some models of cat exercise machines have an internal wall. It can play a very big role if the cat is very active and passionate. In the heat of running, such an animal can even fly out of the wheel. The wall will prevent such cases, allowing even the most dynamic animal not to interrupt training.
Cat trainer: video
It is worth noting that many Western cats have long appreciated the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. There, wheels for tailed animals have already become a fairly common thing. In Russia this is still a novelty, causing everyone’s surprise. However, this device will certainly be appreciated by all the most caring owners very soon. After all, this is not only the health of the cat, the apartment saved from destructive games, but also a very fun pastime. Just look how much they like it!
Sources:
https://vplate.ru/koshki/begovye-kolesa/ https://usatiki.ru/begovoe-koleso-dlya-koshek-svoimi-rukami/ https://ladynumber1.com/home/pets/begovoe-koleso- dlya-koshek.html
