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Looking for a way to help your energetic cat burn off steam? Cat exercise wheels are the latest trend in active cat gear—and they’re not all hype.
For curious and active kitties, cat wheels offer an opportunity for self-directed exercise and entertainment. They’re not for every feline—but several of our test kitties found them a valuable supplement to more traditional cat enrichment toys and a long-lasting source of entertainment.
We’ve rounded up five of the best cat exercise wheels to help you find the one your cat is most likely to use and enjoy.
- Best Overall: One Fast Cat
- Best for Large Cats: Ferris Cat Wheel
- Best for Small Cats: Penn-Plax Spin Kitty
- Best Combination Cat Wheel: Penn-Plax Spin Kitty Cat Tree with Built-in Wheel
- Best for Senior Cats: Coziwow Cat Exercise Wheel
Best Overall: One Fast Cat (Verified Review)
The sturdy, freestanding One Fast Cat wheel is one of the most popular cat wheels on the market. With an inner wheel diameter of 47 inches, a 10.75-inch width, and a maximum weight of 25 pounds, it’s a good fit for a wide range of cat sizes and shapes.
A wheel’s size matters for both your pet’s health and your hopes of the cat wheel seeing regular use. As Dr. Bethany Hsia, DVM, co-founder of CodaPet, explains, a cat wheel should be “large enough for your cat to comfortably run without feeling cramped or restricted” and wide enough that your cat can turn around without jumping off.
The One Fast Cat ships in a compact box, so you should plan to spend at least an hour putting it together. It comes with detailed assembly instructions, but our testers noted that spare pieces would have been handy. Some reviewers flagged that the clips can break if inserted incorrectly—so it’s worth taking extra care during the building process to get things right.
The One Fast Cat is available in two solid colors, black and white, and two patterns: cheetah and snow leopard. The running track is lined with soft EVA foam, which is less likely to snag on your cat’s nails than carpet.
Key Takeaways
- Large 47-inch inner wheel diameter
- Running surface is lined with EVA foam for traction
- Assembly can be time-consuming
- Doesn’t come with tools or spare parts
Best for Large Cats: Ferris Cat Wheel (Verified Review)
From its spacious design to straightforward assembly, there’s a lot to love about the Ferris Cat Wheel. It’s a pricey but popular pick sold all over the world.
The Ferris is an especially good pick for big cats, since it stands 56 inches high when fully assembled. It consists of a 51-inch wheel (with a 48-inch inner diameter), which sits on a set of six skate wheels. The running track is a generous 12 inches wide, and the wheel is designed to accommodate cats weighing up to 25 pounds. We even know a 16-pound Mini Dachshund who happily runs on it for treats.
Our testers appreciated that the Ferris Cat Wheel’s assembly—though a little time-consuming—was significantly less confusing than other models’. The wheel comes with a robust set of tools and spare pieces to make sure you have what you need. We also love that once up and running, it glides effortlessly and silently, requiring just a little cat power to go a long way.
Key Takeaways
- Large 56-inch height and 48-inch inner diameter
- Six skate wheels ensure a smooth, quiet spin
- Comes with clear assembly instructions and spare parts
- Available for purchase around the world
Best for Small Cats: Penn-Plax Spin Kitty
Cat wheels come in a variety of forms, but most of them have one thing in common: they’re big. If you have a kitten or a very small cat, it might not make sense to eat up valuable floor space with a monstrous cat wheel like the Ferris Cat Wheel or the only slightly smaller One Fast Cat.
The Penn-Plax Spin Kitty is a small exercise wheel that measures just under 30 inches in diameter. Both the inside and outside of the wheel are lined with sisal carpet. Not only does this provide a secure grip for your cat when they’re running, but the wheel doubles as a cat scratcher.
This wheel is rated for cats up to 20 pounds, and customers report that it’s fairly easy to assemble. It’s worth noting that the design of this wheel differs from other models. Instead of resting on a set of skate wheels, the wheel hangs from a post. Some users comment that this causes the wheel to gain momentum quickly—the wheel may spin too quickly for some cats. Supervision is recommended, especially while your cat gets the hang of things.
Key Takeaways
- Small 29.5” x 13” x 35.8” profile
- Sisal-lined running surface for secure grip
- Outside doubles as a scratching post
- Design may cause wheel to spin too quickly for some cats
Best Combination Cat Wheel: Penn-Plax Spin Kitty Cat Tree with Built-in Wheel
If the purchase of a cat wheel seems risky, consider starting with a multipurpose piece of cat furniture like this model from Penn-Plax, which combines a multi-level cat tree with their popular Spin Kitty cat exercise wheel for under $250.
Constructed from solid wood with a wide 31.5” x 15.75” base, this cat tree is sturdy enough to support cats weighing up to 15 pounds in the wheel. The wheel itself has a 20-inch internal diameter, so it may be most appropriately sized for kittens and smaller kitties.
Reviewers have reported favorably on the quality of the materials and construction. Should your cat reject the wheel, you’ll at least get several nice scratching posts and perches out of the deal.
Key Takeaways
- Combination cat wheel and cat tree
- Quality materials and sturdy construction
- May be most appropriately sized for kittens
- Carpet lining for traction and scratching
Best for Senior Cats: Coziwow Cat Exercise Wheel
Cats between six months and six years of age are the most likely to take to an exercise wheel. Veterinarian Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS, suggests, however, that “it very much depends on the cat.” Some older cats—especially hybrid wild breeds like Bengals—love using cat wheels to work off excess energy.
The Coziwow cat exercise wheel is a good choice for older cats because the open sides enable your cat to step in from either side, and the carpet-lined running surface provides traction. It has a modest profile with a 27.5-inch inner wheel diameter. It features a durable, solid wood construction with stable wheel bearings that allow the wheel to spin smoothly.
Reviewers comment that the wheel is made from quality materials and that assembly is fairly easy. Several reviewers also note that the wheel runs very quietly, which is a bonus for older cats who startle easily.
Key Takeaways
- Solid wood construction with a carpeted running surface
- Fairly small profile, 31.5” x 16.25″ x 34.25”
- Wheel bearings are secured behind a frame
- Runs very quietly
How We Chose
The cat exercise wheels featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated cats, who are never stingy with their feedback.
