An animal exercise device is shown. The device consists of a substantially circular hollow housing which is formed with a number of cirfumferentially disposed spaced ribs. There is a substantially centrally disposed opening passing through the housing. A cylindrical hub member passes through the central opening within the housing and has a cut-out portion thereon so that an animal can pass through the hub member into the circular hollow housing. The hub member carries a fastening ring on one side which can be connected to an elongated tube member and a cap is oppositely disposed to said fastening ring.

A toy includes a spherical outer casing, a circular coupling ring, a support member, a base and an inner toy body. The coupling ring is disposed around the outer casing, and is mounted pivotally on the outer casing about a first pivot axis that extends along a diameter of the outer casing. The support member has a plate portion with first and second end portions, and a pair of spaced-apart arm portions extending from the first end portion of the plate portion. The arm portions flank the coupling ring, and are mounted pivotally on the coupling ring about a second pivot axis that extends along a diameter of the coupling ring and that is perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The base engages releasably the support member, and is adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface for disposing the outer casing above the horizontal surface. The inner toy body is disposed in the outer casing, and is in frictional contact with an inner surface of the outer casing. The inner toy body is movable in the outer casing to result in rolling movement of the outer casing relative to the coupling ring about the first pivot axis.

An animal habitat includes an exercise wheel simulating the drive wheel on a steam-powered locomotive; protuberances on the exercise wheel strike a trip wire which swings a locomotive bell and an idler disc connects the exercise wheel to simulate locomotive running wheels which may be suitably decorated to produce an effect pleasing to the eye when the running wheels are rotated by the exercise wheel which, in turn, may be rotated by an animal housed in the habitat.

A housing for small pet animals includes a pedestal portion 1, a fixing side plate 3 uprightly attached to the pedestal portion 1, an activity wheel 5 with one side opened toward the fixing side plate 3 and the other side closed by closing members 52c. The wheel 5 is disposed above the pedestal portion 1 with the one side closed by the fixing side plate 3. The housing further includes a housing equipment immovably attached to the fixing side plate 3 and disposed in a housing space surrounded by the fixing side plate 3 and the activity wheel 5.

Disclosed is a small animal exercise device, suitable for allowing a small rodent or other small and trainable animal to be domesticated, and confined in a relatively small space while enjoying the benefits of exercise that accrue to mammals of all kinds. The exercise device includes a dish, a stand and a connecting assembly. The dish provides an effectively large and safe exercise surface, while physically fitting into the confined environment or small enclosure for small animals such as rodents and the like. The dish has an outer periphery and a raceway having a solid surface adjacent the periphery. The dish is rotatably connected to a stand, which elevates the dish above the horizontal surface upon which the stand rests, to allow the dish to rotate freely during rodent or other small animal exercise. The connecting assembly, includes among other things, a bearing assembly which fixedly, but rotatably connects the dish to the stand, more particularly, the distal end of the stand defines a bearing shaft. The bearing assembly allows rotation of the dish while being attached to the shaft and includes a limiting member for properly positioning the dish on the shaft which allows free rotation of the dish.