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Rat wheels are a controversial topic among rat owners. While the wrong rat wheel can be very dangerous, a safe exercise wheel can be a great form of enrichment. The best wheel for rats is large enough, chew-proof, easy to clean, and has a design that won’t catch or snag fur, tails, or tiny appendages. Here’s what you should know about buying wheels for rats and the eight wheels that meet the minimum requirements.
Wheels are not necessary rat cage accessories, but they can be a form of enrichment. There is some controversy surrounding rat wheels, mostly because wheels that are too small or otherwise unsafe can damage a rat’s tail, spine, or feet. A safe, properly sized rat wheel can be perfectly healthy and give rats a source of exercise and fun.
Some rats love using wheels, others won’t use them at all. Sometimes it depends on the type of wheel: many rats prefer a more enclosed wheel rather than flying saucer wheels that leave them exposed. Rats may be more likely to use wheels if they’re introduced to them when they’re young, but it often comes down to the rat’s personality. One study found that wild rats, mice, and shrews all voluntarily used a wheel set up in nature and even returned to it to run!
A rat wheel should be at least 12 to 13 inches (30+ cm) in diameter. The rat should be able to run with their back straight and tail in a natural position, not curving over their body. Smaller rats and most female rats can use a 12 inch rat wheel, but larger rats and bucks will need an even larger wheel. Chinchilla exercise wheels are usually the best size for pet rats.
How to Choose an Exercise Wheel for Rats
You may have trouble finding rat exercise wheels – most that are large and sturdy enough for rats are advertised for chinchillas! There are several things to look for in a rat wheel to make sure it’s safe and actually usable:
There are a few basic styles of wheels. If your rats do like running, they may only like one style of wheel.
Flying saucer wheels have an open design with an unrestricted platform for running. A slightly undersized flying saucer wheel is less likely to cause injury because your rat won’t be cramped into an enclosed space.
These exercise wheels are made of plastic or metal. A plastic flying saucer wheel is the most affordable type of rat wheel if you want to test a wheel and see if your rats like it. Just don’t expect it to last long if they do – you’ll want to upgrade to a metal wheel.
Regular exercise wheels are mounted to the side of the cage or to a base with an upright design. Some rats prefer this type of wheel because it’s more enclosed and they don’t feel comfortable running “in the open” on a flying saucer.
Exercise wheels can have a very open design with just a wheel (like a cake pan on its side) or they can be more enclosed with a casing and openings for the rat to crawl through to enter the wheel. Good exercise wheels for rats can be pricey – you may spend more than $100 for a solid, metal wheel. If you aren’t sure if your rats like running on a wheel, consider trying a more affordable wheel first before upgrading.
Best Rat Wheels
There are eight rat exercise wheels I know of that meet the minimum requirements for rats. As a general rule, flying saucer wheels are the most affordable and a good choice for introducing younger rats to a wheel. A large rat wheel that can be mounted to the side of the cage is more of an investment but can last a lifetime.
15” Chin Spin Metal Wheel
The 15” Chin Spin is a good choice for rats with a metal and wood design, large diameter, and extra-large running track. Normally you want to avoid wood, but only the back portion against the cage wall is wood. It’s unlikely to be a problem when it comes to absorbing urine, but it can potentially be an issue for chewers. The metal wheel is silver vein powder coated with good grip for running yet easy to clean. It includes an extra set of bearings. Quality Cage Crafters offers a money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the Chin Spin running wheel.
Aluminum Alloy 15 Inch Rat Wheel
This attractive option checks all the boxes for what you want in a running wheel for rats: all-metal design with nonslip, nontoxic surface, a large diameter and wide running track, and a high-quality mounting system that prevents loosening, sagging, and noise. The YKD rat running wheel also guarantees bearing part replacement if they ever break or wear out.
Silent Runner 12” Rat Wheel
The Silent Runner is a popular rat running wheel thanks to its affordability and innovative design. It can be used on the stand or mounted to the side of the cage and there are add-on tracks you can use like the sandy track to safely file down sharp nails. Some rats really like the enclosed design and don’t want to run if they feel exposed.
It’s affordable, but keep in mind it’s mostly plastic. It won’t last a lifetime like the metal wheels. If your rat chews on it, you’ll want to remove it so they don’t ingest plastic. It can be difficult to clean, especially if you don’t have a large cage opening to easily remove and disassemble it. Because it’s only 12”, it’s only suitable for smaller rats.
Still, it’s the best rat wheel to start out with if you’re introducing younger rats to running.
Niteangel Silent 14” Rat Exercise Wheel
The Niteangel rat wheel is less expensive than many metal wheels on this list, but note that it’s also on the small side: it’s actually short of a full 14” diameter. At more than 6 pounds, it’s also quite heavy and may be prone to sagging.
It’s worth noting that many people have had issues with the Niteangel wheel. A separate listing for the same product from Niteangel shows several reviews about design flaws. Some people have had the wheel fall off and then eventually break or fail completely. One even pointed out the bearings were only lightly glued in place and couldn’t be repaired.
Petco You & Me Exercise Saucer
Flying saucer wheels are great for testing if your rats even want to run, although they aren’t perfect. Some rats will happily use a large rat wheel that offers more enclosed space but not a flying saucer. These rat exercise wheels are all plastic and won’t last long if they’re used – you may only get a couple month’s use from them. After that, you’ll probably want to invest in either a metal flying saucer wheel or something mounted to the cage.
We have this flying saucer wheel for our baby rats to introduce them to the concept. If they like it, we’ll upgrade to a more durable, cage-mounted wheel. One word of caution with a flying saucer wheel: if your rats are still very young, it’s easy for them to crawl under the front where the wheel is tilted toward the floor. If another rat hops on, they can end up hurt. I wouldn’t leave young rats alone with a flying saucer wheel until they’re too large to go underneath and know what it does.
Exotic Nutrition Metal Flying Saucer Wheel
If your rats like the flying saucer style of rat wheel, you may want to invest in an all metal style instead of the plastic flying saucer wheels that tend to break after a couple of months of use. It can be hard to find a metal flying saucer wheel, but Exotic Nutrition makes them in 11” and 14” versions. Be aware that these are still on the small side and best for younger or small rats.
Pet Revolution 14” Rat Wheel
The Pet Revolution Whisper Wheel™ is one of the most attractive metal rat wheels out there and one of the quietest. It can be hard to find in stock in any size, but there are multiple sizes available including 14” and 16”. The Whisper Wheel™ has a lot going for it: chew-proof anodized aluminum alloy, only 0.5” between the cage and wheel to avoid injuries, and a high-quality, free spinning bearing system.
PandamoniumPets Extra Soundless Exercise Wheel
Pandamonium Pets is one of the best places to go for high-quality rat wheels that you can customize. This Etsy seller has a huge range of customization options for their XTRA Soundless wheels including fun colors and different diameters and widths. Mounting is easy with the included stainless steel hardware. Overall, their rat wheels are durable, safe, incredibly lightweight, and surprisingly affordable compared to standard commercial options.
