How to make a kitten exercise wheel from dollar store items only

How to make a cat exercise wheel from dollar store items only. DIY cat running wheel. Only cost $15 to make.
Don’t like this Dollar Tree only cat wheel? Then check out my newest try. • Best DIY Cat Running W...
Thinking about making a cat wheel? Here are the Do’s and Don’t of making wheels…
• Awesome DIY Cat Runnin...

[@mariag.8242]

SAFETY TIP: The interior diameter of a cat wheel should be at least 40”. Too small a wheel can damage the cats’ backs because they have to curve their spine in the wrong direction. The spine curves toward the ground as opposed to arched to the sky unless the cat has enough space inside the wheel. The cats’ spines should be essentially in a straight line as they run.

[@davidarnold7282]

Yeah clearly this design is not a good design. So many issues I don’t understand why she hasn’t removed it, obviously she cares more about her KZbin station than the cats. I wouldn’t trust a thing she does now. Not to mention her cat would not use the wheel.

[@sheilasmith1109]

@@davidarnold7282 yeah, and the Wright brothers didn’t have only the first prototype either! Give this creative lady a break, Dave! Let’s see your model! At least she’s trying!

[@dickfitswell3437]

When i saw $299-$399 i nearly filled my boots. Searched DIY cat running wheel. Nice work. Thanks

[@THE-zv7vj]

on sale right now 199.. worth every penny. this tutorial is garbage , just buy the wheel

[@kenthecookieman]

That’s awesome as long Cindy can navigate those three blades when jumping out. I wish we could have gotten a test run from Cindy. 😄

[@deborahdavis6743]

It would have been nice to see the lady's cat actually run in the darn thing!

[@crissyd3836]

Considering she used foam board, which can support about 7 pounds or less before ripping, and used tape to stick everything together, the cat's first "try" probably made it break apart..... Good idea, but impractical materials

[@RLaraMoore]

@@crissyd3836 She answers other comments That her cat did use the wheel for a while but her 5yr old son kept leaving toy cars in it and that decreased the cat's interest. But i think she doubles up the foam core boards ...which greatly increases their durability. I use foam core poster board as window covers. I made "clips" with the plastic slider binder strips used in the clear report covers. And as protective edging for the bottoms and sides. I've had them on my bedroom windowsill over two years now. So far they are still working. Greatly insulates to keep my room temperature unaffected from the cold of winter and heat of summer outside. They have bowed a tiny bit, i suspect from the hot sun.. I would definitely keep foam core board away from heat. I resolved this by taping the seams where i joined two boards together to meet the height of my window. And every few months i rotate and flip the panels..much like you might periodically turn a mattress for even wear. The four sets of panels rest on the sill and i slide them to the side when i want to see out the window. And slide them to overlap each other when i want full privacy and insulation. Anyways. my point is they cAN be pretty sturdy when reinforced. I agree with you though, the foam core board wheel might hold up better for smaller weight cats than for very heavy ones. I am interested to give it a try! ^.~

[@CatToyLady]

Don’t like this Dollar Tree only wheel? Then check out this one, it’s bigger and better! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWHdn4GPg9GjaJY Materials used: 4 brooms, 2front door mats, 7 foam poster boards, white duck tape, 2 rolls of contact paper, and a low temp glue gun/glue- all of it came from the Dollar Tree besides the glue gun.

[@babydolljones77]

What dollar store do you go to? I live in Seattle Washington and none of the dollar trees here have brooms or door matts 💔😿

[@CatToyLady]

Babydoll Jones Dollar Tree, I hope you those there, I find so many great things there.

[@kr2346]

Thank you so much, i know my cats are going to love this! :)

[@juliec4750]

It would be great if you had some written instructions someplace, or maybe just a list of materials and the pieces you needed to make? It’s really impressive that you figured this out. Great job! 👏👏👏

[@CatToyLady]

Julie C I’ll add it to the top of the comments for you.

[@kerrohh]

thank you soooooooo much I don't know why more people haven't seen this video. I'm going to try this!😁

[@scootermom1791]

Did you make one? Did it work? It looks way hard, but if it works for other, non-expert people, like me, it would totally be worth it. 🐱

[@davidarnold7282]

This isn’t strong enough to support a cat. As soon as it gets any speed it will weaken and could hurt your cat.

[@d.cypher2920]

I have 4...so, yep definitely could use one of these. Thanks for sharing this. 😎🇺🇸

[@DrgnMage2536]

This video was so entertaining. I love your energy and sense of humor. Did your cats actually use the wheel?

[@TheH42G]

Wow, thank you 👍

[@ShieAyla]

Omg I might use THIS to make my rats a wheel! The boy rats need a bigger wheel than is commercially available. Can you imagine how frustrating that is? I've bought $40 wheels they can't/won't use. It's extremely frustrating and wasteful of my money. Thank goodness I'm extremely handy and resourceful.

[@lexusfranks8787]

Ur so smart I would have never thought to do something like this! 💙💜

[@blarghnofreenames]

your cat is painfully cute x

[@bakmic4953]

Wow! Very creative! 😀

[@nickeltabs]

nice cat, we have a Calico cat too, some wheels go to $500

[@candikitty9961]

Omg, thank you so much! i dont like how expensive cat wheels are and this is very helpful! Love your KZbin channel! :)

[@CatToyLady]

Check out the newest video, I made a bigger, better, cat wheel. Thanks for watching!

[@nibelungvalesti4941]

Thanks you so much because wheels are very expensive and I don't even know if they'll use it

[@crownlaurus2610]

I wanted to see the cat use it. Nice video.

[@cyprienne8776]

This is amazing !

[@rakshaandreassen5472]

Wow you are creative and patient! It looks pretty! Would like to see a video of your cat using it!

[@CatToyLady]

Look for the white large wheel I did (newest cat wheel) it works the best and is the most durable. And has video of cats on it. My cats still use it everyday.

[@desireem157]

i love your videos! you are so creative and have such great ideas!!!

[@CatToyLady]

Thank you so much!

[@micahvandeelpiepers7337]

First time seeing your videos and I have to say I love it. You are very entertaining.

[@vanyailieva7783]

Nice!

[@mazerinthemage2395]

Not even a single shot of the cat using it. Disappointing.

[@lahormiga1989]

Really cool, probably wouldn't use foam board for mine though. My male is to big and likes to knock things down so I need something heavier. They are also to big, but this did give me ideas on how to make one.

[@lifewithashchrissycat9327]

have any ideas? idk what to use bc i feel like it would get knocked over

[@lahormiga1989]

@@lifewithashchrissycat9327 plywood instead of foam board, and PVC with sand inside instead of the metal things she used. You will have to tweak the way you make it a little, but I've seen so many different videos that I took parts of all of them to make what I wanted.

[@lahormiga1989]

@@lifewithashchrissycat9327 this is another video I watched that has a similar concept to hers kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKurmWdraseKnbs Like I said before, look at different videos and see what you like of each. There are others, but I can't remember which other ones I watched.

[@LostInOfficeSpace]

An endcut of the construction cement column forms are sturdy!

[@rl6220]

they're that size for a reason. It's dangerous and painful if they're too small

[@ants_in_my_eyes_Wilson]

"going to wrap it in white duct tape just to pretty it up" ...you're my kinda gal.

[@CatatonicOne]

You are truly inspirational,

[@natalieayala2083]

I wonder if a plastic basket (laundry) and some kind of cheap boards for the back piece and the feet would work

[@CatToyLady]

Maybe for a kitten

[@LostInOfficeSpace]

Instead of foam board and all that work, see if you can get a cut of cement column forms from a contractor. Its trash for them and likely free as little as you need. Its also sturdier. You may even be able to get a piece from the Home Depot or Lowes. Instead of the poles used in video, small PVC piping in the plumbing department with elbows will be easy to cut and piece together. Inexpensive too.

[@CatToyLady]

I was trying only use thing from the Dollar Tree, to see if it could be done. There really are tons of ways to make them. I don’t know why people spend hundreds on them. You should also check out the other wheel I made too!

[@KMGAD]

Since I don't have a husband with a blow torch, do you think pvc would be a good substitute for the brooms?

[@CatToyLady]

I also show how I bent it with a hammer, that was a much easier way.

[@samanthamaxwell7008]

I HAVE TO MAKE THIS

[@RayelityCheckMinistries]

I wanted to see the cat use it. Would it hold up? Was it big enough? Does it move smoothly? ... anticlimatic.

[@CatToyLady]

I made this when my big girl was about 10lbs. It held her and moved smoothly. Now that she is 17.5lbs it is not big enough (she is a very large cat.) For larger cats, the second wheel I made is much better. It’s in my play list.

[@RayelityCheckMinistries]

@@CatToyLady Thanks. I asked a friend to help me make one and he insists that a cat won't play on it. He said maybe once them lose interest. Before your cat grew too large for it, did she run on it regularly?

[@CatToyLady]

Rayelity Check Ministries she was a kitten (ish) still and did use it for about the first week. My 5 year old son started using it to race his hot wheels, and that scared her a bit. It only stayed out a couple weeks, too hard to keep my son away. The second larger wheel I made, my cats had no interest in. It only was used when I held a piece of chicken up as insensitive.

[@RayelityCheckMinistries]

@@CatToyLady lol!!! A piece of chicken???! Kinda defeats the purpose of weight management! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing. I saw someone use a laser pointer for them to chase. How bout trying that?

[@SC-xi9to]

I'm totally clueless about the foam board. Here in Germany I've never seen it, I think. Can somebody tell me what it's usually used for? Maybe if I know that, I could better know where to look for it. 🤔

[@CatToyLady]

It’s used as a thick plaster board, foam sandwiched by paper. In my latest wheel video, I used Plastic Corrugated Board that I found in giant sheets at the hardware store. It’s been working great for a year.

[@SC-xi9to]

Thank you very much! 🙏 I think I found it ☺️ One more question: How thick (I mean high) is the board that you used?

[@CatToyLady]

@@SC-xi9to I believe it’s about 3.5mm

[@lindacole3926]

Just curious, did you cat use it? Your ingenuity skills are amazing! I’ve seen men that call themselves carpenters try & FAIL!

[@CatToyLady]

Linda Cole thank you!!!! Yes, they did at first, mostly at night. I have a 5 year old son that would not stop using it as a race car track (with or without a cat inside 🤦‍♀️) and they began to not want to use it with the cars that seemed to always be in it. I think soon I will make it again (still inexpensively) without an inner lip or back wall, basically nothing to hold cars in it.

[@jessalynnwatson2634]

@@CatToyLady You can make him a car wheel lol

[@cooliipie]

Men? What's your prerogative

[@sheilasmith1109]

Oh my gosh! YOU’RE SO DARN CUTE! And such a pretty cat!! Brilliant!! Why didn’t you show us how you trained your cat to use it! I guess I’m coming back to see more! 😻👍🙏

[@CatToyLady]

My son wouldn’t stop putting his cars in it and it scared Cindy from going in it. If you look at my newest wheel (the white big one) I show my cats using it. It’s still being used too.

[@NextGenerationHealth]

That's called a "Taping Knife", not a paint scraper. It's used for drywall work

[@Teddietonbear23]

Well done 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻

[@scootermom1791]

So, it's been about a year since you made this. How has it worked out for your cats? And how long does it last (assuming it falls apart at some point)?

[@CatToyLady]

My kitty I made it for out grew it, she is 17 lbs. this size is more of a kitten size. My son loved it for his hot wheels 😹. It’s still in one piece but was mostly used for toy cars. I have another cat wheel video that holds together well that is for larger babies that you should check out. Soon I’m going to try this same idea, using dollar tree items, and make a bigger wheel, to see if it can be done.

[@scootermom1791]

@Cat Toy Lady lol your son is awesome! He's "recycling" the wheel. Very smart! I watched your other cat wheel video. Definitely looks sturdier and pure genius! Thanks for these videos. I wish I had a mind like yours! Lol 🐱🐱🐱

[@LoveableMormonGirl]

Oh my gosh you guys are so cute. Can we be friends?!

[@magagarage7975]

Thinking of using a bike rim to start, but my cat has a playland on my ceiling, hoping to add a catwheel, but hang it.😎

[@amphindian]

Nice video! Does your cat use the wheel? I hesitate to buy my cats anything bc they are lazy

[@CatToyLady]

They did use it for the week I had it out, my 5 year old son wouldn’t stop putting his cars in it for “races,” so I put it in my filming area. I plan on bringing it out again soon, maybe just at night, for them to use again.

[@magagarage7975]

😂 excellent

[@Teddietonbear23]

Your brilliant well funny xx 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@videogeekin]

Will it support the weight of a 15-pound cat?

[@CatToyLady]

David Shawn it does, my cat was close to that weight when I made it, she is now almost 18lbs, and has used it. I’ve seen 2 of my cats standing in it at the same time (but not running,)

[@BjayawesomeBlackDude]

Wait an min did she just made her own cat wheel? 😲😅

[@cathleenlindsey3128]

Now let's see your cat use it. 😁👍

[@rl6220]

It's... decorative. Lmao😂😂

[@user-gb4dn3zj8q]

Hello why all cat wheels are so big,, could it be smaller

[@CatToyLady]

This on is for kittens, but you want a wheel that is large enough that the spine stays straight while they run. It being curved can cause injury.

[@mardinirizkianti4748]

how long that can used, we need to think about effective and effisien not just a cost

[@CatToyLady]

Mardini Rizkianti mine has lasted about a month now with my 18# cat in it 1-2 times a day for short bits. Also, my 5 year old son uses it many times a day as a race track for his toy cars. I think the extra reenforcement on the back (making it a total of 4 layers thick, just around the center hole) has really helped.

[@mardinirizkianti4748]

@@CatToyLady I have a lot of cats at home and can't be sure how much time they play especially at night. what is the maximum weight for the cat? Can it be 6-8 kilograms?

[@CatToyLady]

Mardini Rizkianti my cat is a little over 8 kgs, you may need to change out the reinforcement parts every so often or even make a plastic reinforcement part too (like using a coffee grounds lid or Pringle’s can lid)

[@mardinirizkianti4748]

@@CatToyLady Thank you for sharing information ... Btw I'm from indonesia ... Nice to be friend with you ... Thank you so much

[@CatToyLady]

Mardini Rizkianti your very welcome, hope you have a wonderful day and make your kitties some fun toys!

[@sarahmuffley7777]

Did you make the Groot?!! If so, HOW? I LOVE Groot!!

[@CatToyLady]

There is a video in my lists. Baby Groot cat scratcher. He turned out really cute. And not hard to make.

[@christinejordan3818]

Isn’t it a little too small

[@AGarcia1703]

your cats don't eat the tape?

[@CatToyLady]

Nope

[@user-ff7co4gq3c]

What? How much?

[@hollychapman3320]

Great job as always!

[@JasminsBoss]

Only if cat goes into it.

[@bubblywaters3116]

I want to see the cat play and exercise in it please.

[@CatToyLady]

Check out the newest wheel, it has cats using it too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX6rholtYsR3m6M

[@jamesdurrett3827]

Cheap materials. This would last my cats about 30 minutes. Clever idea never the less. Suggest quarter inch plywood.

[@HJ-wo1pb]

some part were supeer cringy but over all this is awesome!

[@CatToyLady]

Please take a look at my newer wheel then. I didn’t just stick to Dollar Tree items, but used foam board still. You may like it more.

[@macnmonte]

I don’t have a man that can weld thing for me or a cat that weights three pounds.

[@mafeleal8952]

That looks way too small. Same for hamsters it should be big enough so that your cats spine isn't bent while running. Great idea tho

[@CatToyLady]

You should check out my second attempt then... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWHdn4GPg9GjaJY

[@christinejordan3818]

You didn’t let us see kitty using it

[@pleasestopalready]

The problem is that it will rapidly fall apart, which only wastes money, plus it is way too small to be effective, since as soon as forward motion starts the hind quarters are propelled upwards at a steep angle. The bigger diameter wheels allow for a more gentle slope to somewhat approximate running on the ground relative to the length of their stride. And as a cat person, let's be honest, it is going to be urine soaked foam and fabric in short order, so good luck in trying to clean it and have it stay in one piece. This is just throwing money away as a cat exercise wheel substitute, but perhaps it could work for rodents, ...that is until they chew it apart in the first few hours and die of gastric obstruction. You could try using 2 - 42" hula hoops as the outer rings and affix wooden slates between the for the running surface, but that might still be too small to be effective, and again building something that is half-assed isn't actually saving money, as opposed to throwing it away when it all goes into the trash. Nonetheless please show us follow-up videos of your cat exercising on it!

[@dgem6911]

It doesn't seem like Cat Toy Lady's fell apart rapidly. Her cat and son enjoyed it for quite some time. That said, please share your video of how you made such a wheel for a few bucks. That's all many of us are willing to spend, since we all know cats don't typically focus on any one gadget for too long. Thanks in advance.

[@LostInOfficeSpace]

For a sturdier one: Instead of foam board and all that work, see if you can get a cut of cement column forms from a contractor. Its trash for them and likely free as little as you need. Its also sturdier. You may even be able to get a piece from the Home Depot or Lowes. Instead of the poles used in video, small PVC piping in the plumbing department with elbows will be easy to cut and piece together. Inexpensive too. If your cat is peeing on things, that suggests a health issue or changing litters.

[@christinejordan3818]

PVC PIPES

[@CatToyLady]

It was for a kitten and to see if you could use only Dollar Tree material. Check out the latest wheel, it works for any size. It’s the white one.

[@angiepeck2714]

Man...my cat weighs 30 lbs. This isn't going to work for him...😭

[@CatToyLady]

Honestly, it may, both my 15# cats were in it at the same time and it wasn’t bending and was still able to rotate.

[@angiepeck2714]

@@CatToyLady really?! I'd have to make it bigger around for him. He's pretty huge. Did you use metal broom handles or plastic?

[@CatToyLady]

Angie Astra metal broom handles

[@ants_in_my_eyes_Wilson]

I mean, it's a great idea and all that. Execution isn't terrible. But. There's no way in hell a normal cat would fit inside of that thing and be able to run at the same time...

[@CatToyLady]

It was an experiment and was being made for a kitten. Check out my newest wheel made from corrugated cardboard, if you want a usable wheel.

[@crann5269]

@@CatToyLady your amazing,,, my Milo is 26 lbs I’m going to make this bigger one you made and my hubby is for it,!!!!! Anything for his cats lmao

[@carolr4871]

It's an interesting project; very creative. However, it looks nowhere near big enough for your cat. To run on a cat wheel, the cat needs room to stretch out its body fully. I think only a kitten would be able to do that in the one you made.

[@CatToyLady]

The title says Kitten wheel. Feel free to check out the newest wheel I’ve made. It is cat size and I show it in use. Look for the big white wheel in the thumb nail.

[@angelamarie5414]

Wtf? Let’s see the cat use it lady. Anyone can make a pinwheel out of paper, prove your cat doesn’t fold into an origami when she gets inside. The reason the ones in stores are so expensive is because they actually work.

[@FelesMefisto]

Wow, what a bad idea. Wheels for every animal should be large enough for exact species. Small wheels can cause some serious damage to spine and other parts of motion apparatus.

[@daltonx6177]

Wow ! A cat wheel without a cat using it... What a waste ! Plus, with a wheel much too small for the average adult cat. Nice try but noooo...🙄

[@CatToyLady]

Wow, watch the video and you will see I was experimenting to see if it could even be done and I was making it for my kitten. If you want a better wheel, check this one out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX6rholtYsR3m6M

[@NT-xu3jt]

Your husband is out of your league lol

[@exploringwithnug]

Dang. Tough crowd.

[@pleasestopalready]

Actually what would be more entertaining is watching your husband's facial expressions while he is made to watch you make dollar store cat toys.

[@linda7545]

Looks like a cat would be severely injured or even decapitated if he/she got caught in the spokes. You need to cover the side with the spokes, with a circular board to block the cat from a horrible event.

[@CatToyLady]

I’m not worried about foam board decapitating a cat, and I set the support pole far enough away that a cat could not get stuck between it and the wheel itself. I did explain all this in the video. If you cover the spokes, how would the cat get in?

[@linda7545]

@@CatToyLady Just turn it around.

[@jrambo7495]

Waaay too small!!!!! Kinda a waste of time and resources!

[@CatToyLady]

Yes, this was a tester for a kitten, feel free to look at my newest wheel video for an adult cat.

[@snowairland]

This is ridiculous.. don’t be cheap people just pay the $200. There is a reason the legit cat wheels are so big and professionally made. Let’s hope this is a joke

[@TheFiFolly]

Eric Foussat I thought this was a DIY channel. Some people don’t have 200 bucks to spend on there cats like you apparently. That’s why she made this channel I would assume. Why do you have to be mean about it?

[@dgem6911]

@@TheFiFolly, he's jealous that a woman (with a terrific personality for DIY videos) beat him to the gig. It's the only logical reason, I mean can Mr. Foussat actually think folks have $200 to toss out the window for, most likely, a very finicky cat?