Cat Wheel and Max Birthday Pics!

Originally Posted by Worriedmommy

They probably just do something like this:

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Oh wow!! COOL!!! Thanks for posting that link!

Originally Posted by white cat lover

I can just see them "kitty drag racing" at 3AM!

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ahhaa, well i guess that is better then a wet cat toy being dropped on your face.

Great pics! That is so cool... it looks like they had a blast.

Oh, out of curiousity (don't have to answer if you don't want to), how much did it cost and where did you get it?

What a great birthday present for Max! I'm sure he'll get the hang of it...Aunt Penny is putting on quite a clinic

I'm thinking the sound of the wheel at 3 AM probably isn't any worse than the sound of my thunderbeasts chasing each other around at the crack of dawn

Originally Posted by taterbug

Oh wow!! COOL!!!

Thanks for posting that link!

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Not a problem. I thought that was really neat.

Originally Posted by AddieBee

It's like a big hamster wheel for kitties and hopefully will be a great way to burn off some of that bengal energy, right?

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That's exactly why I bought it! I keep them indoors, so I wanted to be sure that they have what they need for exercise and stimulation. So far, so good - they seem to be happy little bengals, and they almost never get into anything they shouldn't, so I must be doing something right!

Originally Posted by Pami

Penny needs to come over to our house to teach mine how to use the wheel

Were Penny and Max the only ones who tried it?

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Penny told me she would rather have the wheel that YOU bought - she thinks I'm a little cheap.

Ginger took a walk for about a half revolution, saying, "Eh - it's ok."

Originally Posted by sarahp

I guess it's a bit much for Ferris still?

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Ferris set ONE PAW on it the day after I got it, and when it moved, he ran away. I honestly don't think he'll ever use it, but if he does, I'll be thrilled.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Happy Birthday Max!!! What a great gift for him.... and Penny! I'm sure Penny has been really missing a wheel to run in.

Now you can look forward to being awakened at all hours of the night by the sound of a cat wheel

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She really has, it's all too obvious. I told Kai Bengals that he ruined her for me, and that I would just HAVE to get a wheel at some point. Penny's personality has really perked up again in the last few days - she's tickled PINK to have this in our home!

Originally Posted by Worriedmommy

They probably just do something like this:

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The sound the wheel makes is much like that in the video - as they are both wood constructed. The wheel is set up on the wall in the kitchen outside my roomie's bedroom, a couple rooms away from my bedroom. I can hardly hear it at all, and my roomie told me that the sound isn't enough to bother him at all at night, which is great.

And to tell you the truth, every time I hear that wheel start up, I just get a big smile on my face.

Originally Posted by taterbug

That wheel is awesome!!

But tell me....how do they stop once they get in a good run? Do they jump out or does it throw them out?? I've always wondered.

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It depends. Sometimes like in that video, but as this wheel is a smaller diameter than Penny is used to (it is 44 inches across,) if she gets going too fast, it will literally TOSS her out of the wheel from the top center. It happened last night, and the surprised look on her face was PRICELESS.

Originally Posted by Renovia

Wow - awesome wheel? Is there a site I can check out for these?

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Originally Posted by Kaylacat

Oh, out of curiousity (don't have to answer if you don't want to), how much did it cost and where did you get it?

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To be completely honest, I am NOT thrilled with the construction of this wheel, and will have to do some modifications to it to ensure that my investment in it lasts.

I was told that it was made with a silent wheel bearing, and it is NOT. Instead, it turns on a simple bolt passed through a hole in the wooden stand, and gravity pulls the wheel down and backward to rub against the stand.

This also puts added stress on the bolt, which forces it up, causing additional friction within the hole in the stand. So I have determined that I need to disassemble the whole thing and get a sleeve for the bolt to sit in, which will ease the strain and allow for a smooth rotation. As it is now, there is a lot of friction, and it sounds like a ship at sea when it is spinning - creaking and groaning.

I also need to get a caged ball bearing or wheel - like a luggage wheel - to mount at the bottom of the upright part of the stand so that it holds the wheel bottom out and keeps it verticle.

I paid $300 for the wheel itself and another $150 for shipping. The tread part is made from paneling lined with carpet, and the paneling cracked in one spot either during the build or during transportation. This concerns me, as it affects the integrity of the circle that the paneling is forced into.

Also, the paneling (a faux leather look) got quite scratched up in shipping, another thing I'm not pleased about.

And last but not least, the wheel stand walks forward when the cats run on it, so I need to get rubber feet put on it to keep it in one spot.

So for the amount of modifications that still need to be done to have this work the way it SHOULD, I feel like it wasn't quite worth what I spent. However, I could never have made one myself, and the bengals are using it happily, so there is a tradeoff.

I emailed the people I bought it from with all my feedback and they have not bothered to respond to me, so I am assuming that they are upset that I am upset and that they do not know how they should handle a response.

Although the interior of the wheel looks quite nice (and smells good, too) I do not recommend that anyone rush out to buy this, as, again, it is not that well-built, IMO.

If you don't mind taking the chance on it, I bought it from Elkridge Bengals Cattery in MN. You can find their website online.

it's a shame that you have had some problems with it. i have never seen anything like it but it is an amazing idea! my tabitha would probably look at it in disdain while the 2 kittens go crazy in it!

Look at those babies run!!! They really love it!

Originally Posted by GingersMom

And to tell you the truth, every time I hear that wheel start up, I just get a big smile on my face.

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I bet you do. How wonderful for them to be able to have a way to get out all that famous bengal energy.
I think Jazz must have some bengal in him...DH saw this and said we might want to get one for him.

That is awesome, Betsy!! Penny and Max look like they are really enjoying it

Amazing pictures! I can't believe how fast they are going That is going to keep them entertained for ages!

Betsy,

You and I have already discussed the issues you're having with the wheel, and I hope you're able to modify it to your satisfaction.

But, the pictures are great and it looks like at least the bengals are thrilled that you bought Max this awesome gift. (Even if Penny is having more fun with it at the moment)

My bengals use their wheel everyday. I have actually removed it from the room twice to let the kittens play on it and I have witnessed the adults get depressed cause it was gone. I put it back right away and they went from depressed lumps to happy maniacs. Guess I'm going have to invest in more of these.
So you really have given them a wonderful gift, that they will enjoy for many years.

Happy little maniacs.

Yup - that describes them, alright!

Last night Penny and Max went running in tandem - it was SO wonderful to see. They love to show off for me - they make it a point to run to use the wheel when I'm in the kitchen so they can show me how skilled they are - and they get LOTS of praise for it.

So even with the issues I've got with this purchase, in the long run, it was for the bengals, and they simply love it, so it'll have been worth it for sure.

WoW I also have never seen anything like that for cats,it;s just amazing.

GREAT pics!!! Best laugh I've had alllll day!!!

What a riot!!!! A cat wheel...who'd've thunk??? My gerbils would be jealous...cause the cats might play on their wheel more than they watch them on theirs, if I got something like that!!!Lol!!!!

Nice wheel Betsy! I may have to get one myself once I acquire a few bengals.... at least to keep them occupied while I am at work. Where did you get the wheel, btw?

Originally Posted by Duchess15

Nice wheel Betsy!

I may have to get one myself once I acquire a few bengals....

at least to keep them occupied while I am at work.

Where did you get the wheel, btw?

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LOL...if you read back through the whole thread, you'll find the answer to that question, along with the cost.