Why You Should Get Hamster Wheel
Hamsters are born to run and providing them with a safe hamster wheel (also known as running wheels) gives them the opportunity to do just that. In the wild, hamsters will travel several miles each night in search of food and some hamsters in captivity have been reported to run up to eight kilometers a night on their hamster wheels making them a necessity for all hamsters.
Hamster Wheel Surfaces
The best kind of hamster wheel has a solid surface that either attaches to the side of the cage or comes on a stand. These wheels are typically plastic and may be shaped like half a tube or flat. Solid surface wheels are better than wire wheelsbecause little feet and legs can get injured between the wires plus they are easier to clean than the metal options.
Noise Levels of Hamster Wheels
Hamsters are nocturnal so they will be using their wheels quite a bit at night while you try to sleep. If you get a squeaky wheel just place a few drops of vegetable oil where the wheel spins but some brands are marketed as being quieter than others.
Sizes of Hamster Wheels
The size of your hamster wheel depends on the size of your full grown hamster. Your hamster should be able to run in the wheel without his back arching too much, if at all, but not too big that he has a difficult time actually moving the wheel and running. A hamster will choose a larger wheel over a smaller wheel with a 14-inch diameter wheel being a favorite according to some preference tests if given a choice.
Safe Hamster Wheel Options
- Wodent Wheel - A popular, ASPCA-approved wheel. The wheel is free standing and the unique front is semi-solid with holes for access (but susceptible to being chewed).
- Silent Spinner - This wheel is available in three sizes. It uses ball bearings for quiet operation and can be used free standing or attached to the cage bars.
- Comfort Wheel - The Comfort Wheel comes in a few sizes and can be used as a free standing wheel or attached to the cage.
- Flying Saucer - This isn't your typical hamster wheel. A plastic, angled saucer that is able to spin provides a running surface as opposed to an enclosed wheel.
The following wheels expand your hamsters modular home by attaching externally. However, these wheels have the same problems as plastic modular cages - they are poorly ventilated (so your hamster could potentially overheat) and are difficult to clean. Most people will have to completely disassemble the cage on a regular basis or use baby bottle brushes to clean these wheels and the rest of the tubes in the cage.
- CritterTrail Snap-On Comfort Wheel - This is an enclosed wheel that attaches to the side of CritterTrail system cages as well as CritterTrail Fun-nel tubes. It is a fairly small wheel and is not recommended for Other and syrian larger hamsters.
- S.A.M. Workout Wheel - This wheel is compatible with S.A.M. cage systems. It attaches to the outside of the cage and is only suitable for dwarf hamsters due to its small size.
- Super Pet CritterTrail Xtreme Exercise Wheel - This is a unique-looking wheel from CritterTrail that attaches via a Fun-nel tube. It is a smaller wheel so just like the other modular cage wheel options, it is best suited for a dwarf hamster.
Alternatives to Hamster Wheels
Hamster balls for exercise outside of the cage are popular options for pet hamsters but they should not be a substitute for a hamster wheel. These are available as a simple ball, a wheel shape that propels a car frame, and other novelty shapes.
If you’re looking for a hamster wheel that is best for your hamster, we recommend you to get the one from Love Hamster Wheel. It has all the features you need and is made of plastic. It is a silent spinner, meaning that it doesn’t put out a lot of noise when being used by the hamster. The detachable disc wall design allows easy assembly, while the circular edge set make it more secure, more rugged, and effectively prevent biting.
For more information, go to http://lovehamsterwheel.com/
