Hamster wheel: 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 in humans, so it is very important when buying 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 worth taking a closer look at the types of wheels for running, the basics of their choice, as well as training the hamster to the wheel.

Hamsters cannot be classified as centenarians, since 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 is a nocturnal rodent that likes to spend time actively at night. If your pet makes a lot of noise when you sleep, it is worth purchasing a hamster wheel, since this accessory is characterized by soundlessness, and the pet will be able to be active at least all night without disturbing anyone. Hamsters run around quite a lot. Under natural conditions, this animal runs about 10 km per night, so you simply cannot do without a silent wheel. If you wish, 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 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 a wheel of slippery material, then you will have to sheathe the simulator with additional cotton cloth.

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

• noiselessness;
• right size;
• work without vibrations;
• light weight, which contributes to fast rotation;
• the presence of serifs on the inside;
• wheel mountings must be reliable and durable.

When choosing a ready-made wheel, you should pay attention to several requirements that are put forward for it.

• The dimensions of the structure must be correctly selected, since a lot depends on this. If wheels with a diameter of 18 cm are usually made for Syrian hamsters, 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 attachment must be safe and secure, as this is how it is attached in the cage. The best choice is to mount between the cage rods. It is better to refuse to buy a structure with a stand adjacent to the wheel, because such structures are often the cause of injury to hamsters, as their legs 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 sliding while running.
• It is worth abandoning the wheels that have a treadmill made of mesh, because the legs will constantly get stuck, leading to injury to the animal.

Modern hamster wheels come in a wide variety. Many people make such an accessory on their own. In any case, initially it is worth familiarizing 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 hamster wheels depending on several criteria.

Wheel dimensions play a big role. If you buy a small wheel, the hamster will have to bend while 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 Dzungarian 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 fact that the animal will 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 attachment 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 dimensions of the wheel are chosen incorrectly, then dislocations and fractures can be expected.

This attraction can be made of several materials.

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

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

• Plastic... Convenience and noiselessness are the main advantages of the plastic wheel. The inner side of the wheel must be equipped with ribs to avoid slipping while 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 power and reliability of the entire structure.

You should also pay attention when choosing a treadmill. It should be non-slip, especially if you consider a plastic or wood model. The hamster will be uncomfortable to run, and at high speed it may simply fly out. If the mesh is made of metal, it is worth giving preference to a fine-mesh one, because the animal's foot 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, you will need special holders or strong wire, depending on the type of cage. Using this method of fastening can save space, but remember that this option involves tapping the hamster's house itself while running. The option of mounting on bearings is often used.
• To the bottom of the cage. Such a wheel is presented on a special stand. It is she who guarantees the safety of product use. The stand must be fixed to the bottom of the cage. The disadvantage of such fasteners is that the structure cannot be called reliable and safe.
• Standalone device... The wheel is made on a stand, so it will not be difficult to install it. This option minimizes the possibility of wheel overturning.

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

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

• Ferplast Is an Italian manufacturer that offers luxury hamster wheel options. The model "Gym Gym" is very popular. The size of the structure is 32x23x26 ​​cm. It can become both a part of the cage and 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 with tunnels and additional modules. The price of the product is 2000 rubles.

• Trixie Is a popular brand that offers a wide range of products for pets, including hamsters. The best choice would be a solution with a metal stand. Its diameter is 28 cm. Attachments to the structure lattice are additionally presented. And the price is 1000 rubles. This option is characterized by brightness and noiselessness. An indisputable disadvantage is the high cost.

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

Before choosing a specific wheel for your pet, it is worth identifying the following selection criteria:

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

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

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

Natural wood is the best choice when considering hamster caster models. It is characterized by naturalness, as well as an attractive appearance and, of course, a pleasant aroma. The model is supplemented with a wooden stand, which allows it to be used separately from the cage.

The plastic wheel looks stylish, because it is presented in several colors. The wheel is mounted to the wall, a comfortable track with unevenness to prevent slipping.

The metal wheel is durable. The black color adds sophistication to the model. In appearance, it resembles a fan, which makes it possible to harmoniously integrate this accessory into the interior design. The stand is also made of metal, but it doesn't look very reliable.

For information on how to make a wheel for a hamster with your own hands, see the next video.