Hamster Wheel: Variety, Choice and Training

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

Hamsters can not be attributed to long-livers, 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 belongs to nocturnal rodents who like to actively spend time at night. If your pet makes a lot of noise when you are sleeping, you should buy a wheel for the hamster, since this accessory is characterized by soundlessness, and the pet can be active all night long without disturbing anyone. Hamsters run pretty much. Under natural conditions, this animal runs for about 10 km during the night, so you simply cannot do without a silent wheel. If desired, you can make such a ring on your own.

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

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

• noiselessness;
• right size;
• work without vibrations;
• small weight that promotes fast rotation;
• the presence of serifs on the inside;
• Wheel mounts must be reliable and durable.

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

• Dimensions of the structure must be properly selected, since much depends on it. If for Syrian hamsters 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 you should take into account that the space between the stand and the wheel should be at least 1 cm.
• The wheel mount must be safe and secure, as it is attached in the cage. The best choice is to mount between the bars of the cell. It is better to abandon the purchase of designs with a stand adjacent to the wheel, because such designs are often the cause of injury of hamsters, as their legs are stuck between the stand and the wheel.
• The working surface of the wheel should be safe for the animal. A good choice is plastic with special notches that prevent the paws from sliding while running.
• It is necessary to abandon the wheels that have a treadmill out of the net, because the legs will constantly get stuck, leading to injury to the animal.

Modern wheels for hamsters are a wide variety. Many make this accessory on their own.In any case, initially it is worth getting acquainted with the design options to make or choose the best option. So let's take a closer look at the types of wheels for the hamster, depending on several criteria.

Wheel dimensions play a big role. If you buy a small wheel, the hamster will have to sag when running, which will negatively affect the posture of the animal and may even result in injury. A very large accessory is quite difficult to rotate, so the hamster can even abandon 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 the small width will lead to the animal constantly fall from it. So, for Syrian hamsters, the ideal width is 7 cm, while for dwarf representatives - 5 cm.

If the gap between the fastening 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 correct, then we can expect dislocations and fractures.

This attraction can be made of several of materials.

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

• Metal. After some time of operation, the metal wheel will start making 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 - the main advantages of a plastic wheel. The inner side of the wheel must be equipped with ribs, to avoid slipping during the run.

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

You should also pay attention when choosing a treadmill. It should be non-slip, especially if you consider a model of plastic or wood. Hamster will be inconvenient to run, and at high speed, he can just fly. If the grid is made of metal, it is worth giving preference to the fine-mesh, because the foot of the animal may fall into a large cell.

Depending on the method of attachment, it is worth to distinguish three types of wheels for hamster.

• On the wall of the cell. In this case, you need special holders or strong wire, depending on the type of cell. With this mounting method, you can save space, but it is worth remembering that this option involves tapping a hamster while running on the house itself. Often used option mounting it on the bearings.
• To the bottom of the cell. This wheel is presented on a special stand. It is she who guarantees the safety of product use. 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 will not make any special problems. This option allows you to minimize the possibility of overturning wheels.

In addition, it is worth noting another running disc. This option is equipped with an additional stand, which gives it stability, because the hamster can not fall out of the design. When choosing types of construction, you can also mention the walking ball.

The hamster wheel is simply an indispensable accessory. Today, it can not only be purchased at a specialty 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 that are the best today.

• Ferplast - Italian manufacturer that offers luxury options for hamster wheels. The Gym Gym model is very popular. The size of the structure is 32x23x26 ​​cm. It can become both a part of a 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 openings for airing. Its advantage is the possibility of expansion through tunnels and additional modules. The price of the product is 2000 rubles.

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

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

Before choosing a specific wheel for your pet, it is necessary to indicate the following selection criteria:

• convenience and safety;
• suitable sizes;
• material of construction;
• price.

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

An important selection criterion is also the opinion of the animal itself. The wheel must first like a hamster. If he does not like the wheel, then it will be almost impossible to teach him. You can lure a hamster on a treadmill with your favorite treat. To get to the next piece, the animal will have to go forward a little, thus putting the mechanism into action.

Natural wood is the best choice when looking at hamster wheels. 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 that allows you to use it separately from the cell.

Plastic wheel looks stylish, because it is presented in several colors. The wheel has a fastening to the wall, a convenient track with irregularities to prevent slipping.

Wheel made of metal is characterized by durability. 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 does not look very reliable.

How to make a wheel for a hamster with your own hands, see the following video.