r/Catwheel • u/imuncreative01 • Aug 22 '26
How to know if my cat will like it?
I have been thinking abput getting a cat whell for my two kittos. But it is kind of an investment piece to get, since even good second hand ones are around 100€ from what im finding and its not money I can just throw out.
To the people that have cats that love them. What were some personality traits, that you think could show me my cats would enjoy it?
I do believe Lumi at least would love it, because she is pretty active and the most fearless cat I have ever met, but I am also known to overlook deciding factors, when I think some toys can benifit them in theory.
Would love to hear from some poeple who have made the successful purchase
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u/mykittyforprez Aug 22 '26
I took a chance and got a wheel for one of my very active cats. She's a very high energy cat and I live in a small house so was hoping she would use it. Once I set it up and tried to do the training regime, she was having none of it. I think it was intimidating at first so I just let it be. Would occasionally put catnip on it so she'd get used to it. One day, I saw her trying it out - a few trots and she'd hop off. Eventually she was going full out on it. Probably the best purchase I've ever made for a cat besides the basics.
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u/JessicaMurawski Aug 22 '26
If your cat is super active, it’s easy to train them to use it. If they’re couch potatoes, they might not be very interested in it. The important thing to remember though is that you have to train them to use it. They probably won’t use it naturally otherwise.
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u/OrionsRose Aug 23 '26
I suspect Lumi will enjoy it. She sounds like my Téa (aka Circus Girl) who LOVES it.
I wanted a cat wheel for years and years, but they were so expensive and I didn't know if my couple cats would like and use one so I kept putting it off. It wasn't until I found myself with 5 cats, 3 of whom are highly active that I finally took the chance. I figured someone would like it. I got one of the wood type ones and it wasn't too expensive. It's easily one of the best investments I've made for my cats. Two of the 3 active cats love it and use it constantly. The third is a huge guy and I think it's a bit small for him, plus he's not brave and it freaks him out a bit. We've had it about 19 months and he only walks on it once-in-a-while.
A few notes: 1) Make absolutely sure to get a big enough one. This is very important for the safety of the cat's spine. 2) They can be very loud. Ours sounds like thunder every time it's in use. It shakes the house a bit even. If you have close neighbors, you might find they are bothered by it, especially in the wee hours. 3) Make sure your cat's nails are clipped fairly short if the track part has a carpeted cover. They can snag their nails and go flying...don't ask me how I know. 😧
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u/flamincatdesigns1 Aug 23 '26
My girl hates it, my boy loves it. Look online for a used one close to your home. A lot of people buy them and need to get rid of them because their cat will not use it. so you might get lucky and get one pretty cheap.
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u/WhySoCirious_ Sep 06 '26
I have 3 cats, two around age 4 and very active and a 10 year old who’s moderately active so I was hopeful that at least one of them would take to it so I took the risk and ordered the Ferris Wheel G5 which was definitely an investment. I figured worst case I could sell it on FB marketplace if they just didn’t take to it.
I did 1 introductory session and one of my 3 immediately took to it. She was already walking on it by herself the next morning! But you can train them slowly to start with positive associations and then walking/running.
If you’re really worried about it, it’s worth seeing if any One Fast Cat wheels etc are on FB marketplace in your area. I tend to see those listed all the time for a good discount and barely used.
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u/slaughterkittie Aug 22 '26
You probably won't know it beforehand.
I've spent way more than 100€ on toys & beds(food and vet costs aside) for my cat and he preferred his half torn amazon cardbox and my hand under the blanket over anything else.
We've bought a cat wheel for our two cats we've adopted this year, after our previous one passed last year.
It was a shot in the blue. Both were interested during the assembling but ran away once we've set it up and spinned it slow. Shortly after she was using it on her own, he wasn't a fan of it - pure witchcraft! Weeks after weeks Mimi using it on daily basis, all of a sudden Merlin stepped in and was taking a stroll. Fast forward to this day:
Mimi barley uses it, Merlin is taking his walks in the early morning for at least an hour, now and then during the day; either a for a stroll or a short sprint.
We've set our bets on Mimi, because she's the extrovert of the two, always running around, more active compared to him. Merlin is way more chill, relaxed and shared by everything new.
100€ for a used one is absolutely okay, it's an investment for their lifetime. Motivate them either with toys or food, it takes time, don't force them and please make sure it's big enough for your cats, otherwise it's unhealthy for them if they can't stretch out their back while running.