Running wheels for cats: selection and training

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

Running wheel is a kind of simulator, which is primarily needed active domestic cats. The space in the apartments is rather limited and the animals do not have the opportunity to throw out all their energy. If you interfere with the games of the active pet, then over time he can become lazy and spend most of his time in a dream or at a bowl of food.

Among all the cats, representatives of the following breeds are active:

• Abyssinian;
• Somali;
• Egyptian Mau;
• savannah;
• bengal;
• Oriental;
• Siamese;
• Ocicat.

However, this does not mean that the simulator will appeal only to these animals. Active can be any cat, regardless of their affiliation 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 love to run around the apartment in the mornings and nights will no longer bother the tired owners and wake them up.
• Indisputable is the health benefits of cats. For lazy individuals, periodic jogging allows you to keep weight normal and not fat. Active pets will be able to throw out their energy at any time. Workouts also help maintain muscle tone.
• Classes on the treadmill They allow you not only to keep the weight normal and to train the muscles, but also have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and lungs.
• Many wheel models the inner part is covered with carpet and can serve as a pet as a scraper.

As for the drawbacks, they are not so significant for the running wheels. Select the main disadvantages of the simulator.

• Finished models are quite expensive.. 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 fit 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 simulator.

All running wheels have the same principle of operation. Ready models of simulators for cats first differ in size, material of manufacture 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. Larger simulators are more practical. and will be most welcome, especially if several cats live in the house.

As for the 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 versatile option in this case is wood.

Consider these options.

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

• Plastic wheels have small weight and dimensions. However, such structures can not be called reliable and durable. They are rather unstable, and if any part of the simulator breaks, it will be extremely problematic to replace it.

• Metal models are the hardest, but at the same time they are stable and reliable. To move the structure to a new place will be a bit problematic. But the likelihood that the wheel quickly fails is extremely small. Usually such models are made to order or independently, if you have experience with welding equipment.

• Cardboard wheels can hardly be called a full-fledged simulator. Such models are designed exclusively for kittens and cats of small breeds. Most likely, 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 can be used several materials. At home, you can make a wheel of the desired size and characteristics.

As for the design, emit open and half closed wheel types. In open models, the wheel has no side walls. Semi-closed variants imply the presence of a single partition. Open simulators rotate at the expense of the rollers, which are mounted on a stand located under the wheel. In closed models, the rotation mechanism is located on the side, so these simulators are considered more stable.

When choosing a running wheel, first of all you need to take into account 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 half-closed models are best suited.

When purchasing a finished model in a store, you must carefully inspect the entire structure. A product made of low-quality materials or with poor fastenings may, at best, serve a short time, and at worst, cause injury to a pet.

The inner surface of the wheel should not be slippery. Best of all, if it is trimmed with carpet or felt. Simulators differ in appearance and can be of different colors, so for any interior, you can choose the appropriate option.

Running wheels for cats are just beginning to gain popularity in Russia. Prices for such simulators are quite high, and finding a product in a small town is not always possible. 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 believe 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 expenditures. The easiest way is to make a wooden wheel. For its manufacture will require the following materials and tools:

• 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 the two circles, which will serve as a frame for the future simulator. It is desirable that the diameter of each was at least one meter. Next, you need to cut two circles and fasten them together at a distance of at least thirty centimeters with the help of bars.

Bars in turn are fastened with plywood using a screwdriver, glue or ordinary nails. The empty cavity between the circles needs to be closed and is done by gluing the rails around the circumference of the wheel. To make the construction stronger, the slats are overtightened with a thick rope or belt.

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

For the manufacture of coasters will require two small pieces of plywood in the shape of a semicircle. From two sides it is installed on a pair of rollers, which will rotate the structure. For the half-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 covered with a special compound that prevents the wood from rotting. The inner surface needs to be trimmed with felt or carpet. Attach pieces of matter can be on double-sided tape, but it will be safer to use glue.

Many cats are not only active, but also innate curiosity. Such pets are happy to explore new items on their own. In this case additional training to work on the simulator, most likely, is not required, and the cat will master the wheel itself.

However, not all domestic cats will be ready to take the initiative in studying the treadmill and will be reluctant to learn something new. In any case, before embarking on any action and trying to seat the pet in the wheel, you need to give him some time to get used to the simulator. Let the animal independently approach the subject, examine it 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 it. Usually during the week the cat gets used to the simulator and willingly begins to use it. One should not expect and demand from the animal that it run for a long time in the wheel, since cats have nothing in common with hamsters or squirrels.

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