Run, kitty, run! The best cat exercise wheels to buy in 2023

Got an energetic kitty cat who keeps you on your toes? If you’ve tried every stimulating cat toy in the playbook and your furry friend is still interrupting your slumber with (adorable but badly timed) midnight zoomies or flexing their claws on your furniture, it might be time to invest in a cat exercise wheel. 

Exercise wheels come with many benefits, and they’re particularly handy for indoor cats who need to let off steam even though they’re short on space. If you have a hard time tiring out energetic breeds like Bengals, Abyssinians, and Savannahs, a cat running wheel can serve as an outlet for all that pent-up energy. They can also be an excellent weight loss tool, helping kitties burn calories and build muscle whether they can go outside or not. Finally, they’re also great boredom busters, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative associated behavior.   

That being said, exercise wheels aren’t for every cat (just like treadmills aren’t for every human). If your furry friend isn’t very active or playful, it may take them a while to get used to the wheel (and they’ll likely need a tasty incentive to do so!). 

For this reason, it’s important to get the right exercise wheel for cats. They’re an expensive investment and can vary greatly in terms of quality, that’s why we’ve taken a long hard look at the cat exercise wheels on the market today and found the top five based on size, durability, safety features, and price. Keep on reading to find out the five cat exercise wheels pet parents are raving about this year! 

One Fast Cat Wheel - Generation 6 

This state-of-the-art piece of kit is trusted by 130,000+ pet parents worldwide - that’s a pretty good start, don’t you think? Designed for cats weighing up to 22 lbs, there’s 48 inches of space for your kitty to do their best Forrest Gump impression without feeling cramped or restricted. Measuring 12.25 inches in diameter, there’s even space for a couple of furry friends to get their steps in at the same time (as long as they’re running in the same direction, that is). Made from durable, recyclable materials, the feather-light design is easy to assemble so your furry friend will be prancing around their exercise wheel in no time. Oh, and this ain’t no regular hamster wheel - the frame is available in black or white and the running surface is lined with EVA foam in black, wood, light gray, or snow leopard. 

Pros:

• 30-day return policy. 
• Customizable frame and lining.
• Regularly rated the best cat exercise wheel.
• At $219, it’s one of the most reasonable cat wheels on the market. 

Cons: 

• Some users say it works best on hardwood flooring and can be unstable on carpet.
• Some reviewers report the wheel can be noisy, but it appears the issue has been addressed in the 6th edition.

Ferris Cat Wheel G5

Forget about the Peloton, whether your feline friend’s a super fast sprinter or a leisurely spinner, they’ll be exercising in style on this sturdy Ferris Cat Wheel. The 48-inch wheel is designed for cats weighing up to 24 lbs, with six skate wheels strategically placed for maximum support and safety. Follow the YouYube instructions to make setting up this cat running wheel a breeze, and watch the 12 pieces effortlessly slide together without the need for a mallet. Note that you will need a non-slip mat if placing the base directly onto tile flooring.

Pros:

• Easy to assemble.
• Made from high-quality materials. 
• Choose between four snazzy colors for your EVA stick-on padding.

Cons:

• It’s on the pricey side, at $471. 

Paws and Fish Cat Wheel 

While many exercise wheels claim to be easy to set up, this one arrives already assembled, meaning your kitty doesn’t have to wait any longer to get their mitts on it! There are two sizes available - the medium one is suitable for small cats weighing no more than 15 lbs, and the large is for cats up to 25 lbs. The wheel spins smoothly and quietly, and a replaceable sisal carpet lines both the inside and the outside of the wheel, acting as a scratching board for cats to sharpen their claws on.  

Pros:

• No assembly required.
• Different sizes available. 
• Users frequently report how quiet it is.

Cons:

• At $379.99, it’s not cheap.
• Expect a long delivery wait (2 months on average).
• As it’s shipped already constructed, some buyers report receiving it damaged.
• Although some users speak about having a choice of two sizes, the large size doesn’t appear to be available at the moment.

Athlecat Exercise Wheel

This exercise wheel for cats comes in two colors to match seamlessly with your interior design - light oak and black. Featuring a removable scratch carpet and rolling wheels that are safe and silent, your furry friend’s exercise routine can continue no matter how fast their wheel is spinning. The interior of the wheel measures 40 inches, meaning it’s perfect for small adult cats. It’s easy to assemble and a safety lock-in mechanism allows pet parents to monitor their cat’s activity. A dangling mouse toy is included in every order to entice your kitty to use their wheel, plus a training guide to help them take their first steps on the wheel. 

Pros:

• At $199, it’s one of the cheapest options.
• Pet parents can choose when their furry friends use the wheel by fastening and unfastening the safety lock. 

Cons:

• It’s smaller than some wheels, meaning it’s not suitable for large cats.
• The carpet can catch on claws and hinder your kitty’s ability to run freely.

Penn Plax Spin Kitty Cat Exerciser Wheel

This exercise-wheel-come-scratcher is lined with sisal carpet that not only helps your kitty grip onto the surface as they run, but also gives them a place to sharpen those precious claws. At 29 inches in diameter, this wheel is only suitable for small kittens weighing up to 20 lbs. Unlike most other exercise wheels, it hangs from a post which can cause the wheel to spin quite quickly - for this reason, pet parents are recommended to supervise their kitties when using the wheel.

Pros:

• Users report this wheel is very quiet. 
• It doesn’t take up as much space as other models.
• At $165.25, it’s the cheapest cat wheel exerciser we’ve found.

Cons:

• It’s not suitable for adult cats due to its size.
• Kittens should be supervised when using this wheel.
• Some users report the track isn’t wide enough for their cats to run without falling off.
  

DIY Cat Exercise Wheel

We’re throwing a spanner in the works here - this is an exercise wheel you can actually make at home! Before we dive in though, we want to note that this is certainly not the most straightforward DIY project and it will take a good few days to make! You’ll need to arm yourself with a variety of tools, from a drill to a staple gun (and then some!), and you’ll also need materials like wood, carpet runner, and screws. If you’re looking for a cat exercise wheel for under $100 and you’re up for making it yourself, follow Ally Childress’s step-by-step guide on how to make a cat exercise wheel DIY.

So there you have it, five (ahem six) exciting cat exercise wheels for your furry friend to take for a spin. As long as your cat learns to get to grips with their wheel, it can help them get their daily dose of cardio, stretch out those muscles, and show off their wild side from the comfort of their own home. 

If you’re wondering what else you can do to enhance the well-being of your little homebody, have you considered finding an in-house pet sitter? Our dedicated cat sitters are here to provide the purr-fect care for your furry feline, meaning they can enjoy a staycation in their very own home while you’re away.