Most flying saucers are made of plastic, and they come in some pretty fun colors, too. Like a hamster wheel, you can select from several sizes to match your hammy’s size. Small saucers are ideal for dwarf breeds, while medium or large saucers can accommodate bigger species. A healthy hamster needs stimulation and exercise, and a hamster wheel or spinner provides both. With so many options on the market, how do you choose one that’s right for your hammy? We’ve done extensive research on the topic to bring you the answer. Place the wheel in its new location in your cage and offer your hamster some food and water dishes near by.

Generally speaking, a standard sized hamster wheel should be no smaller than 3 inches in diameter and no larger than 5 inches in diameter. However, this varies somewhat depending on the breed of hamster and how active they are. Some hamsters will actually do better on a smaller wheel, while others may be more content on a larger one. Ultimately, it is best to give your hamster the room they need to move around and exercise without feeling cramped or confined. Another important consideration is the material from which a toy is made. Plastic may be easy to clean but can be a worry if your pet gnaws it. Wood, on the other hand, is eco-friendly and non-toxic, making it a better choice all-round. It tends to be fairly durable, but if your hamster is on a mission, it could gnaw through a toy in no time. Then there’s fabric. Cute hideaways can often be made of cozy fleece, but while your hamster may love snuggling up in them, you may not love the extra washing they create! When it comes to hamster running time, most experts recommend that pets run for at least 15 minutes a day. However, if your hamster is young and sprightly, you may want to give her or him an extra half hour of running time each day. If your hamster is older or less active, then you may only need to run him or her for 10-12 minutes per day. Can a hamster wheel generate electricity? This simple but pleasing ball is one of the best-looking small pet toys and a clever addition to any hamster environment. A bonus is that pet owners will appreciate its carefully crafted, natural appearance that will look good in any hamster home. If you’re an eco-conscious pet owner, you’ll appreciate the toy’s natural construction, and as it’s compostable, there will be no waste when your pet has finished with it.Often made from wood, this is a specific area for a hamster to exercise their love of burrowing. You fill it with sawdust and there's usually a hole at the top for your critter to jump in and enjoy. While your pet hammy has no need to forage, they still have to do something. Their urge at night is to run. By providing them with a wheel, they can run to their heart’s content. They get the exercise they need without having to run real miles around your house. DIY hamster tubes can be better for your hamster than store bought plastic tubes, because they do not need to be cleaned regularly like plastic tubes do.

This saucer has a width of 7.25 inches and is available in a medium size. Smaller and mid-sized species of hamsters should be able to use it just fine. If you have a bigger hamster, you might want to look for a different flying saucer. Kaytee CritterTrail Snap-On Comfort Wheel Whether your hamster wheel is well-loved or brand new, here are some tips for keeping it running better longer: It’s important to make sure any supplies you use are safe for hamsters to play with and possibly ingest.

Container Tub Wheel

Also, you should only let your hamster roll around in a ball if it remains on flat ground. Hard flooring or carpeting is best. There should be no ledges or areas where hammy could fall off. For their safety, you might want to keep other pets out of the room while your hamster is in its ball. Do Wheel Needs Vary by Hamster Species?

Finally, you might choose a spinner for your hamster. This is a simplified version of the wheel. The circular base where hammy runs is one solid piece, often plastic. There are no rungs so there’s no risk of injury. Hamster spinners can be placed in the cage and sometimes installed to the wall. Hamster teeth grow continuously but, in a healthy hamster, the teeth will be worn down by eating and by rubbing against each other,” says Sarah Argrave, founder of the Starlight Trust. “So it isn't necessary for them to chew wood but it can be a good source of enrichment. Nibbling and chewing release endorphins and helps keep them happy and calm. Just make sure that the wood is safe and hasn't been treated with anything potentially harmful.” What do hamsters need in their cage?You can also push the tubes together and cut corners at different angles so your hamster has multiple places to run. Drain Pipe There is some controversy around whether or not hamster wheels are actually bad for the animals that use them. While some believe that they are not good for the hamsters because they keep them in a confined space, others argue that they are essential for their health and well-being. In either case, it is up to the individual owner to decide if they think the wheel is a good idea or not. How much energy can a hamster wheel produce? You can install this spinner to the cage if you prefer. You can also use its wire base to stand it up. The ball bearings, like the Silent Spinner, promise quieter operation. The wheel itself is made of plastic with an interior grip to avoid slipping. Transoniq Wodent Wheel It can be a great tool for training your hamster. By providing them with obstacles to overcome, you can help to improve their motor skills and coordination.