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A cat looks up from its Nordic Beast cat wheel, asking for troubleshooting help

TROUBLESHOOTING

Your wheel is not working as it should? Let's get it fixed together!

Have a look at the most common problems and the best solution for each 😼

A photo of the Nordic Beast cat wheel installation manual for users who need a new copy

#1 Something happened to my installation instructions 

Download new installation instructions from here

#2 The wheel is making a friction noise 

There are usually two main reasons: 

1. The wheel-positioning wheel nut is installed on the wrong side – the nut should be under the board, not below the wheel

How to fix a noisy cat wheel: Image 1 shows correctly installed nuts on the 'part A' base

Image 1. Correctly installed nuts for the "part A"

How to fix a noisy cat wheel: Image 2 shows the common mistake of installing nuts incorrectly on the stable cat wheel base

Image 2. Common installation mistake for the "part A" 

2. The "M" screws in the wheel aren't tightened enough – the screws must be tightened as much as possible, so they won't go against the base

How to fix a plywood cat wheel from rubbing: Image 3 shows how screws must be tightened to avoid noise
How to fix a plywood cat wheel from rubbing: Image 3 shows how screws must be tightened to avoid noise

Image 3. Screws must be tightened well to avoid rubbing against the base 

#3 The wheel is not spinning properly

This is usually caused because of the order of the wheels being reversed. Please check if you have assembled the Plate A and the Plate B in the same order as your manual advises.

How to fix a cat wheel not spinning: Image 4 shows the correct assembly of Plate A and Plate B on the cat exercise wheel

Image 4. Make sure the Plate A and Plate B is assembled according to the manual

How to fix spinning: Image 5 shows the correct wheel order for the cat wheel version without the T-part

Image 5. This order is correct for the version without the "T-part"

How to fix spinning: Image 6 shows the correct wheel order for the cat wheel version with the T-part

Image 6. This order is correct for the version with the "T-part"

#4 My cat is not interested in the wheel

A Bengal cat lounges in a Nordic Beast cat wheel, a common issue solved by our cat wheel training guide

Image 7. Common stance of a lazy cat

While the picture above is used as a joke, because this cat is actually resting, it might be similar to the picture you see in your home – the cats are not interested in using the wheel, or rather, lying and sleeping on it rather than using it for running. We want to assure you that it is actually very common, especially in the beginning, and most of the cats can be trained and enticed to use the wheel. 

What we usually recommend doing is based on your cat's behaviour. Here are a few tips to try:

1. The Wheel's Setup and Environment

First, ensure the wheel itself and its location are not the source of the problem.

  • Check the Location: Placing the wheel in a spot where your cat already feels safe and likes to hang out can help them accept it faster. Avoid high-traffic areas, loud appliances, or places where the cat might feel cornered. The ideal spot is quiet and has clear escape routes.

  • Check for Noise and Stability: A subtle wobble or friction sound can deter a cautious cat. Check all the previously mentioned common problems and make sure that the wheel spins smoothly and silently. 

2. Give Them Time to Acclimate

​If your cat seems fearful of the wheel or the motion, patience is key.

  • Let them investigate on their own terms. Allow your cat to approach, sniff, and explore the wheel for several days, or even a week, without any pressure.

  • Create positive associations. Place the wheel in a room where your cat feels safe and comfortable, perhaps near their favorite sleeping spot or window. This helps them see the wheel as a normal, non-threatening piece of furniture.

3. The Training Approach and Social Dynamics

Your approach to training and the cat's social environment are also playing an important role.

  • Use Consistent, Positive Training: Keep training sessions short, positive, and routine. Using toys and treats to lure your cat onto the wheel works better than pressure. It's also important for you to remain calm and patient; your cat can pick up on your stress.

  • Consider Multi-Cat Dynamics: In a home with multiple cats, a more dominant cat may have "claimed" the wheel, preventing a timid cat from using it. Observe their interactions and consider separate, private training sessions for the shyer cat.

4. Assess Their Health and Lifestyle

If your cat seems comfortable with the wheel but uninterested in running, it may be due to other factors:

  • Is their energy already being used elsewhere? If your cat has safe access to the outdoors or gets a lot of other playtime during the day, they may simply not need the extra exercise.

  • Could their diet be a factor? Free-feeding (leaving food out all day) can sometimes lead to lower energy levels. Switching to a scheduled feeding time (e.g., twice a day) can help regulate their energy.

  • Consider a health check-up. An older cat or a cat with a past injury may not feel like running. Overweight cats often adopt a less active lifestyle. Getting their weight back to a normal level, with a vet's guidance, can help increase their energy. Sudden lack of interest could signal an underlying condition that makes activity unpleasant. When in doubt about your cat's health, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian.

The good news is that most of the cats can be trained to love their wheel with the right approach. For that, we have made a step-by-step walkthrough on how to introduce the wheel, build positive habits, and troubleshoot specific training challenges. Get the training instructions below.

#5 I received a broken part/something is missing

We are very sorry if any part arrived broken or if something was missing from the box. We always inspect our products before sending them to Amazon, but sometimes mistakes still slip through, or the parts get damaged during shipping.

If this happened to you, please kindly fill out the form below, and we'll make sure to send you the replacement(s) asap.

Request for replacement part(s)

17-digit Amazon Order ID

Optional, for sending the tracking updates

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Nordic Beast  - Cat Wheel Troubleshooting & Support.

In case your issue wasn't listed in here, please contact us. We would love to help you out!

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