THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WHEEL

This is a fundamental accessory that cannot be missing in any habitat, as it is the one that provides our pet with the most activity and helps it to release stress, as they are hyperactive animals, especially the dwarf species.

Hamsters have to travel long distances (kilometres) every day to stay healthy, and we cannot avoid the wheel no matter how big their habitat is (which must be at least 80 x 50 x 50).

THE DESIGN OF THE WHEEL

However, not all wheels are suitable for our hamsters. Some may be inappropriately sized and cause serious health problems, or the material or design may be potentially dangerous.

As a general rule, hamster wheels are designed not for the hamster's needs but for the owner's needs, using cheap materials and excessively small sizes (suitable for small barred cages). Some toys and accessories are very attractive to look at and, as the animal uses them, the owner believes that they are correct and make them happy but, in reality, they use them because they have no other choice.

To avoid making this mistake, we must be very clear about what our hamster's wheel should look like, the materials that should be used for it and, in particular, the measurements according to its species. 

With regard to the surface of the wheel (where our hamster steps on to run) it will be smooth.

HOW BIG SHOULD MY HAMSTER'S WHEEL BE?

The measurements (diameter) of the wheel are very important, because if we offer our hamster a wheel that is too small for him we will cause him back and spinal injuries that, in the worst case, can leave him paralysed or produce painful malformations. 

SYRIAN HAMSTER: The diameter of the wheel will vary between 20 and 30cm.

DWARF AND CHINESE HAMSTER: The diameter of the wheel will be between 18 and 25 cm. 

WHAT MATERIAL SHOULD OUR HAMSTER'S WHEEL BE MADE OF?

The best material for hamster wheels is plastic and, as a second option, moisture-proof treated wood (MDF); these can be cleaned regularly as it is common for hamsters to urinate while running around. To clean them, use baby soap, without strong perfumes. 

If our hamster's wheel is not made of MDF (in the case of wood), we should discard the idea of using it, as urine will rot the wood, cause it to swell and damage it quickly. Likewise, we should avoid metal and barred wheels, as this material is too aggressive for hamsters and it is very easy for them to cause fractures when their legs get between the holes in the bars.

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN CHOOSING A WHEEL FOR OUR HAMSTER

GUILLOTINE EFFECT: This is a very common design, especially in cheap wheels and those of an older design. Guillotine wheels have bars on the open sides of the wheel and are made of metal or plastic. These wheels are extremely dangerous and potentially deadly, as they trap the hamster when it wants to get off the wheel (they come down when the wheel is in motion), causing suffocation, fractures, tears and death.

UNSTABLE BASE: If the base is not firm, when our hamster runs, the wheel will move and hit the base and the walls of the enclosure, which will produce a very annoying noise.

CONCLUSION

The wheel is the first thing we have to buy when we acquire a hamster, always taking into account the measurements according to its species and the materials that shape it. We can NEVER ignore the fact that our hamster needs it every day, even if we don't see him using it; we will only remove it from the habitat when our female hamster is going to be a mother or her offspring are very small (as some mother hamsters put them on the wheel and can hurt themselves a lot).