How to Choose the Best Hamster Wheel for Your New Pet

There is no questioning the fact that hamsters generally LOVE their exercise wheels. But did you know that your hamster’s wheel is more than just a fun accessory?

In this post, I’m going to discuss the importance of providing your hamster with an exercise wheel as well as 4 important factors to consider when selecting the best hamster wheel for your pet.

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If you are a newer hamster owner, you may not be familiar with the importance of including an exercise wheel in their habitat. While they may be small, hamsters are active animals with A LOT of energy to burn.

In the wild, hamsters can run for miles each day searching for food or running from predators.

Pet hamsters are living a very different lifestyle. They are provided with their food without the need to go foraging and their habitats keep them safe from potential predators.

However, they still possess the natural energy level that was required by their wild ancestors.

Providing your hamster with a safe and reliable outlet for their energy will help to prevent boredom and restlessness.

This is not only necessary for their mental health but will also play an important part in the prevention of obesity and associated health concerns.  

4 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Hamster Wheel

Wheel Sizes

This may come as a surprise, but hamster wheels are not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ purchase. In fact, they come in a variety of different sizes to best fit your hamster’s needs.

In order to determine the size of the wheel that you will need, you must first look at the size of your hamster and the space available in your hamster’s cage.

When many people consider hamsters as a pet, they lump them all together into one category. However, like ‘cat’ or ‘dog’, there are different breeds. In fact, there are 5 common breeds of hamsters kept as pets today.  

Take some time to do some research on your hamster and the size that you can expect it to reach.

The popular Syrian Hamster (also known as the Teddy Bear Hamster) can reach 6-7 inches in length. Meanwhile, the Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster or Russian Dwarf Hamster (the most common breed of dwarf hamster) will generally only grow to 4 inches in length.

That may not seem like a big difference at first glance, but every inch counts when deciding which wheel will be the best hamster wheel for you to purchase.

If you purchase a hamster wheel that is too small, it may cause injury due to the back arching necessary to use it. However, if your hamster’s wheel is too large, they may not be able to get it moving to run on it at all.

After bringing a wheel home, supervise your hamster during its run. A properly sized wheel shouldn’t cause the back to arch much, if at all, during use.

Surface Materials

If you have been doing your research and shopping for the best hamster wheel on the market, you’ve likely already seen that they come in a variety of different materials and surfaces.

The most common option (and often the cheapest) are the wire wheels.

However, the space between the spokes of a wire wheel can cause injury if your hamster were to get his/her little feet or legs trapped between when running.

Solid surface wheels are generally made of plastic. They can be flat or tubular in shape, but there are no spaces for little legs to fall through.

Better still, their plastic construction generally makes them easier to clean.

Another type of hamster wheel that you may encounter when shopping is the wooden wheel.

With a smooth surface similar to plastic wheels, wooden wheels are also a safer option. They also tend to last longer due as the material stands up better to wear and tear over time.

However, they are usually bulky, taking up a significant amount of space in your hamster’s habitat. They are also harder to clean.  

Noise

This is a factor that you may not have even considered. However, you don’t want it to cross your mind for the first time in the middle of the night when your hamster’s wheel is keeping you awake!

Hamsters are nocturnal animals, which means that your hamster is likely going to be exercising overnight.

Look for a brand that makes mention of its ‘quiet’ or ‘silent’ design to minimize unnecessary squeaking and noise, especially if your hamster’s habitat is going to be located near where someone plans on sleeping like a hallway or bedroom.

Construction and Space Requirements

Finally, look at the way the wheel itself is constructed as this is going to determine whether it will fit in your hamster’s habitat.

Some hamster wheels are designed to attach to the sides of a wire cage while others are freestanding. There are also many wheels that can be used with a cage attachment or stand, giving you the flexibility to choose.

If you are looking at a freestanding option, pay careful attention to the sizing. The stand itself will add height to your hamster’s wheel that has to be considered when deciding whether it will fit.

Additionally, you want to make sure that you are choosing a wheel that is stable and won’t fall over, causing unnecessary injuries.

Many freestanding hamster wheels are designed to stand vertically just like the wheels that attach to the side of the cage, but this isn’t true for all options on the market.

Flying saucer-style wheels offer a flatter running surface and can even be used by multiple hamsters at one time. However, they are going to require a larger space within your hamster’s habitat.

Finally, there are some wheel options that are modular in design, attaching to your hamster’s cage as an addition to the original living space.

These modular cage set-ups are often smaller in size, meaning that they are often only suitable for dwarf hamsters. They are also more challenging to clean and poorly ventilated, meaning that they are rarely recommended if another option can be made to work.

Hamster owners, have you found a wheel that you believe is the best hamster wheel on the market? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

Feature Image Credit: Freer Law | Canva