Wheel for a hamster: varieties, selection and training

Quite often, people choose a hamster as a pet. It should be borne in mind that this animal lives in cages, so it is very important when choosing a hamster to choose the right housing for it. The choice of accessories for the cage is no less important, while the running wheel deserves special attention, because it is with its help that the animal can expend energy while in the cage. It is worthwhile to consider in more detail the types of wheels for running, the basics of their choice, as well as the training of the hamster to the wheel.

Hamsters can not be attributed to centenarians, because on average they live only 3 years, so 1 year can be compared with 25 years of a person. Only dwarf hamsters can live a little longer - 4 years. The hamster belongs to nocturnal rodents who like to spend time actively at night. If your pet is very noisy when you sleep, you should buy a wheel for the hamster, as this accessory is characterized by soundlessness, and the pet can be active at least all night, without disturbing anyone. Hamsters run quite a lot. Under natural conditions, this animal runs about 10 km per night, so you can’t do without a silent wheel. If desired, you can make such a ring yourself.

If you decide to make such a simulator for your pet yourself, then you should take into account that its surface should be flat, while it is worth remembering the presence of small gaps, because it is with their help that the hamster will be able to run, without slipping. Corrugated cardboard is an excellent choice, since its surface is presented in the form of edges. If you make the wheel out of slippery material, then you have to sheathe the simulator with an additional cotton cloth.

A running wheel for a hamster should be characterized by the following qualities:

• noiselessness;
• right size;
• vibration free operation;
• light weight, which contributes to rapid rotation;
• the presence of serifs on the inside;
• wheel mounts must be reliable and durable.

When choosing a finished wheel, you should pay attention to several requirements that are put forward to it.

• Dimensions of the design must be correctly selected, since a lot depends on this. If for Syrian hamsters they usually make wheels with a diameter of 18 cm, then for dwarf breeds or for children it is better to buy an accessory with a diameter of 16 cm.
• If you want to buy an option on a stand, then it should be borne in mind that the space between the stand and the wheel should be at least 1 cm.
• The wheel mount must be safe and reliable, since in this way it is attached in a cage. The best choice is to mount between the bars of the cage. It is better to refuse to buy a design with a stand adjacent to the wheel, because such designs are often the cause of injuries to hamsters, as their paws get stuck between the stand and the wheel.
• The working surface of the wheel must be safe for the animal. A good choice is plastic with special notches that prevent the paws from slipping while running.
• It is worth abandoning the wheels that have a treadmill from the net, because the paws will constantly get stuck, leading to injury to the animal.

Modern wheels for hamsters are represented by a wide variety. Many make such an accessory on their own. In any case, you should initially familiarize yourself with the design options in order to make or choose the best option. So, let's take a closer look at the types of wheels for a hamster, depending on several criteria.

Wheel dimensions play a big role. If you buy a small wheel, then the hamster will have to bend when running, which will negatively affect the animal’s posture and may even result in injury. A very large accessory is quite difficult to rotate, so the hamster may even refuse it.

If you need an accessory for a Dzhungar hamster, you should take a wheel with a diameter of 12 to 16 cm. But for a Syrian hamster, it is better to take a wheel with a diameter of 18 to 20 cm. It is worth paying attention to the width of the accessory, because a small width will lead to the animal being constantly fall out of it. So, for Syrian hamsters the ideal width is 7 cm, but for dwarf representatives - 5 cm.

If the gap between the mounting of the accessory and its rotating part is less than 1 cm, then there is a high probability of injury to the animal. If the wheel dimensions are not selected correctly, then dislocations and fractures can be expected.

This attraction can be made of several materials.

• Natural wood. The safest is a wooden wheel, but, unfortunately, it is characterized by the highest cost. If the hamster wants to try the simulator to taste, then nothing bad will happen.

• Metal. After some time of operation, the metal wheel will begin to make loud noises. Usually the use of the wheel is accompanied by a creak, which is doubly unpleasant, because the hamster uses the attraction mainly at night, because he sleeps during the day.

• Plastic. Convenience and noiselessness are the main advantages of a plastic wheel. Necessarily the inside of the wheel must be equipped with ribs, which will avoid slipping during running.

For example, a plastic wheel, presented on a metal stand, will be an excellent choice, because plastic parts are characterized by lightness and noiselessness, and a metal stand guarantees the power and reliability of the entire structure.

Still worth paying attention to when choosing a treadmill. It should be non-slip, especially when considering a model made of plastic or wood. The hamster will be uncomfortable to run, and at high speed he can just fly out. If the mesh is made of metal, it is worth giving preference to a fine-mesh, because the foot of the animal can fall into a large cell.

Depending on the mounting method, it is worth highlighting three types of wheels for hamster.

• On the wall of the cage. In this case, special holders or a solid wire will be required, depending on the type of cage. Using this method of fastening, you can save space, but it is worth remembering that this option involves tapping while running on the hamster’s house itself. Often the mounting option is used on bearings.
• To the bottom of the cell. Such a wheel is presented on a special stand. It is she who guarantees the safety of the use of products. The stand needs to be fixed to the bottom of the cage. The disadvantage of such fasteners is that the design can not be called reliable and safe.
• Stand alone device. The wheel is made on a stand, so installing it is not a problem. This option allows you to minimize the possibility of tipping the wheel.

In addition, it is worth noting also the running disc. This option is additionally equipped with a stand, which gives it stability, since the hamster cannot fall out of the structure. When choosing design types, you can also mention the walking ball.

The hamster wheel is simply an indispensable accessory. Today it can be purchased not only in a specialized store, but also made with your own hands, which significantly expands the range of this accessory. If you still consider ready-made wheel options, then you should pay attention to several manufacturers, which are the best today.

• Ferplast - An Italian manufacturer that offers luxurious wheel options for hamsters. The Gym Gym model is very popular. The size of the structure is 32x23x26 ​​cm. It can become either part of the cage or a separate device. The design is represented by a wheel with a ladder and a plastic box. And also it is equipped with ventilation holes. Its advantage is the ability to expand using tunnels and additional modules. The price of the product is 2000 rubles.

• Trixie - This is a popular brand that offers a wide selection of products for animals, including hamsters. The best choice would be a solution with a metal stand. Its diameter is 28 cm. Additionally, fastenings to the design grid are presented. And the price is 1000 rubles. This option is characterized by brightness and noiselessness. The undeniable minus is the high cost.

In addition, the well-known companies include Darell, Beeztees and Triol.

Before choosing a particular wheel for your pet, you should identify the following selection criteria:

• convenience and safety;
• suitable sizes;
• material of which the structure is made;
• price.

Basically, the cost of the product is greatly influenced by the material of which the structure is made. On average, it varies from 100 to 3000 rubles. The cheapest wheels are made of plastic, but it is worthwhile to understand that they quickly fail. It is better, of course, to use a wooden model, because it does not creak, which cannot be said about the metal wheel.

An important selection criterion is also the opinion of the animal itself. First of all, the hamster should like the wheel. If he doesn’t like the wheel, then it will be practically impossible to train him. You can lure a hamster onto a treadmill using your favorite treat. To get to the next piece, the animal will have to go forward a bit, thereby activating the mechanism.

Natural wood is the best choice, if we consider the model of wheels for hamsters. It is characterized by naturalness, as well as attractive appearance and, of course, a pleasant aroma. The model is complemented by a wooden stand, which allows you to use it separately from the cage.

The plastic wheel looks stylish, because it is presented in several colors. The wheel has a wall mount, a comfortable track with bumps to prevent slipping.

The metal wheel is durable. Black color gives the model sophistication. In appearance, it resembles a fan, which allows you to harmoniously fit this accessory into the interior design. The stand is also made of metal, but it does not look very reliable.

See how to make a wheel for a hamster with your own hands in the next video.