Hi All

I?m thinking about putting a cat wheel in my outdoor run but I have a few questions regarding them.
1. Do cats really use them?
2. Is it something a cat will take to naturally (like using a scratch post) or do they need to be shown?
3. Is it safe to let kittens in the run with the wheel? I have images of finding a curious kitten with a mangled paw after placing it somewhere (s)he shouldn?t.
4. Where can I purchase one from?

Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.
Heidi (UK)

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Heidi

Hiya,

I am sure a cat in a run would get used to a cat wheel, just the same as a hamster uses a wheel in its cage.

There must be safe ones that you can buy, as I am presuming if it is to go in a cat run, the majority of the time they will be unsupervised.

Hopefully someone who has one, will be able to give you more details.

Regards,
Siobhan

The breeder I got my two bengal girls from, here in Alabama, has one of the "millwood" style cat wheels IN HER LIVING ROOM !!! When I visited her, and chose my kittens, I was witness to the cats (at the time, mostly kittens approx. 6 months old) using the wheel quite successfully.

If you'd like, I can contact her, and ask pertinent questions -- like WHERE did you get it, how much did it cost. etc. I'll write her an e-mail, and ask if she can fill me in on the details.

It looked VERY STURDY. the frame was made of approx. 2" diameter pipe, with "elbows at the "bends, the whole "wheel appeared to be made of metal, and the "running surface" was covered with some type of durable looking indoor/outdoor carpet.

I may STILL break down and buy one -- if I can just figure out WHERE I could PUT it.

LaVon
"fancidots"

Hi

Yes, that would be great if you wouldn't mind asking her. Any info on where to buy one or even how to make one would be great. Buying one may be a bit of an issue since I'm in the UK so I would need to get it shipped over and I'm assuming that the size of these things would make shipping pretty pricey.

Thanks in advance
Heidi

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Heidi

I've sent an e-mail to her, asking for the information.
As soon as I get a response from her -- I will share it with the forum

LaVon
"fancidots"

Hi
Good idea, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who's interested. I get the impression you can't buy this sort of thing from your local supplier, most people I have spoken to have either made there own or had someone make it for them. Shame really, I'm sure if they where readily available, lots of people would invest in one to keep their cats happy!

Many thanks
Heidi

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Heidi

Hi Heidi,

I noticed it was in 2004 that you were asking about cat wheels, did you manage to buy or make one ?

This is so funny and I just had to post it http://www.unoriginal.co.uk/footage112_4.html

Our cats would just love one

I don't suppose you know of anyone that is making them ?

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All the Best
Elaine Lomax
www.wildside-bengals.com

That would be me.....I'm supposed to making one!

I'm going for the enclosed "hoop/wheel in a box" design, rather than the "hamster wheel" style.

I promised Heidi I'd get atleast one made up for this summer even if its only a kitten sized one, to be honest the only thing stopping me is time/work.

I still don't know if my design will work using the materials I feel comfortable with but I need to start something or I'll never know for sure......I've seen many pics of the ones over in the states and to be fair they look ok but the word "ramshackle" springs to mind, I don't think I'd be happy at paying serious $$$$ importing one of them to the uk nevermind letting my cats anywhere near them.

I'm still worried about the overall size of the wheels being produced over there and I wonder how much thought has been put into the design of some of them, Stud wheels would need to be at the very least 4ft in diameter otherwise curvature of the spine may occur.....most are also made of plywood so I bet they wouldn't last all that long with our wet weather over here.

I worry to much!

Hi Luke,

I did mention curvature of the spine to Steve the other week if the wheels are not big enough...I think it put him off making one. I said if it's a good sized one then there shouldn't be a problem. Steve said he'd have ago at making it with wood, using a router and putting grooved lines through to make the wood bend...if you know what I mean

I've seen them fifty pence piece looking ones, they look good. I'll have to keep nagging for one, the steak meals are not having an effect

Well talking off the subject of wheels I'm going to the show end of June with our new boy. My friend is taking me and showing her brown rosetted boy now known as GOBBY !!
Paddypower is taking Dazzledots Banner Headline.....So he'll give our 2 boys some tough competition

Looking forward to it
Could do with a wheel now as he LOVES his food

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All the Best
Elaine Lomax
www.wildside-bengals.com