Running wheels for cats: selection and training

All cats are predators by nature and need active movement. However, domesticated pets may have different temperaments depending on the breed and nature. Passive individuals prefer to spend most of their time alone. Active cats are often in motion and it is for them that there are special running wheels. The intricacies of choosing and training a pet for a trainer will be discussed in more detail in this article.

The running wheel is a kind of simulator, which is primarily needed by active domestic cats. The space in the apartments is quite limited and the animals do not have the ability to splash out all their energy. If you interfere with the games of an active pet, then over time it can become lazy and spend most of the time in a dream or at a bowl of food.

Among all cats, representatives of the following breeds differ in activity:

• Abyssinian;
• Somali;
• Egyptian Mau;
• savannah;
• bengal;
• oriental;
• Siamese
• ocicat.

However, this does not mean that the simulator will appeal only to these animals. Any cat can be active regardless of its belonging to any breed.

Running wheels for cats have both advantages and disadvantages. Consider the advantages of such a simulator.

• The wheel allows you to organize leisure 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 of cats are undeniable. For lazy individuals, periodic jogging allows you to maintain normal weight and not to eat fat. Active pets will be able to throw out their energy at any time. Also, training allows you to maintain muscle tone.
• Cross-country activities they allow not only to maintain normal weight and train muscles, but also have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and lungs.
• Many wheel models the inside is sheathed with carpet and can serve the pet as a claw point.

As for the shortcomings, they are not so significant with the running wheels. We highlight the main disadvantages of the simulator.

• Ready-made models have a fairly high cost. However, on the Internet you can find ready-made drawings and instructions for the manufacture of such wheels, which will save money.
• Some simulators are quite large and suitable only 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 the pet to the trainer.

All running wheels have the same operating principle. Ready-made simulators for cats in the first place differ in size, workmanship and appearance.

Wheels can be of different diameters: small designs are designed only for kittensand therefore, after the animal grows up, they will become unnecessary. Large simulators are more practical and will be very helpful, especially if several cats live in the house.

As for materials, they can be very different. Most commonly used wood, plastic and metal. Simple models for kittens can also be made from cardboard. The most universal option in this case is wood.

Consider these options.

• Wood It is originally an environmentally friendly material and will not cause allergies in the animal or other inhabitants of the house. Typically, wood simulators are quite light and can easily be moved to a new place. Also, wooden models fit well into almost any interior.

• Plastic wheels have small weight and dimensions. However, such designs cannot be called reliable and durable. They are rather unstable, and if some part of the simulator breaks, replacing it will be extremely problematic.

• Metal models are the most difficult, but at the same time they are stable and reliable. Moving the structure to a new location will be a bit 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 with welding equipment.

• Cardboard wheels hard to call a full-fledged simulator. Such models are designed exclusively for kittens and cats of small breeds. With high probability, the animals will use the product for other purposes, and instead of training, they will prefer to tear pieces of cardboard from it.

For the manufacture of several materials can be used at once. At home, you can make a wheel of the right size and characteristics.

As for the design, then emit open and half-closed types of wheels. In open models, the wheel does not have side walls. Semi-closed options imply the presence of one partition. Open simulators rotate due to the rollers, which are mounted on a stand located under the wheel. In closed models, the rotation mechanism is located on the side, so such simulators are considered more stable.

When choosing a running wheel, first of all, you need to consider the amount of free space in the apartment, which can be allocated for the installation of the simulator. 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.

When purchasing a finished model in the store, you must carefully inspect the entire structure. A product made of poor-quality materials or with poor fasteners can, at best, not last long, and in the worst, cause injury to a pet.

The inner surface of the wheel should not be slippery. It is best if it is sheathed 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.

Running wheels for cats are just starting 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 city. You can, of course, order a wheel in an online store, but then it will not be possible to pre-inspect it for defects and you will have to take a word to the seller or the description on the site.

If you have the necessary materials and tools, you can make the simulator yourself. It does not take much time and does not require large expenses. The easiest way is to make a wooden wheel. For its manufacture, the following materials and tools will be required:

• wood sander;
• thick sheets of plywood;
• carpet or felt;
• tape measure and rope;
• construction pencil;
• bolts and nuts;
• Miter saw;
• small wheels;
• construction glue;
• wooden slats and bars;
• fasteners;
• knife and drill;
• bearings.

First of all, on the sheets of plywood, it is necessary to outline the boundaries of two circles, which 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 two circles and fasten them together at a distance of not less than thirty centimeters using bars.

The bars, in turn, are bonded to the plywood with a screwdriver, glue or ordinary nails. The empty cavity between the circles must be closed and do this by gluing the rails around the circumference of the wheel. To make the structure stronger, the rods are pulled by a tight rope or belt.

When all the elements of the wheel are glued together, it will be necessary to cut one or two sides depending on the type of future design. Next, you need to make a stand with wheels and attach it either to the side wall of the drum, or directly below it.

To make the stand you will need two small pieces of plywood in the shape of a semicircle. On two sides, a pair of rollers is installed, which will rotate the structure. For a semi-closed structure, it is necessary to make a special axis for rotation and attach it to the side wall of the wheel.

The finished wooden structure must be coated with a special composition that prevents rotting of the wood. The inner surface must be finished with felt or carpet. You can attach pieces of fabric to double-sided tape, but it will be safer to use glue.

Many cats differ not only in activity, but also inborn curiosity. These pets are happy to explore new subjects on their own. In this case most likely, additional training on the simulator will not be required, and the cat will master the wheel himself.

However, not all domestic cats will be ready to take the initiative in studying the running wheel and will be reluctant to learn something new. In any case, before embarking on any kind of active action and trying to put the pet in the wheel, you need to give him some time to get used to the trainer. Let the animal independently approach the subject, examine and sniff it.

After the first movements in the wheel, the cat may get scared and run away. In no case do not need to scold the pet for this. Usually within a week the cat gets used to the simulator and eagerly begins to use it. It is not necessary to expect and demand from the animal that it runs for a long time in the wheel, since cats have nothing to do with hamsters or squirrels.

On how to make a running wheel for cats from cardboard, see below.