Hamsters are the eighth most common pets in the USA, and it’s easy to see why. Hamsters are great pets: they’re cute, fluffy, usually friendly, and mostly quiet. However, while they are typically quiet creatures, their toys can be noisy-especially their wheels!
Here are 6 tips to make a hamster wheel silent:
- Oil the wheel.
- Upgrade to a higher-quality wheel.
- Soundproof the cage.
- Place a mat under the wheel.
- Play with your hamster regularly.
- Add other toys to the cage.
By reading this article, you’ll learn various techniques to make your hamster wheel quieter. Therefore, your hamster can still run and get important exercise and enjoyment without any annoying noise!
1. Oil the Wheel
This is a simple solution to the problem of a noisy wheel. All you’ll need is a cotton pad and some non-toxic vegetable oil.
I always have these Simply Soft Cotton Rounds from Amazon.com on hand in my house for various purposes. I like these because they are 100% natural and they have a 4-layer design for extra absorbency. Not only that, but they’re more durable than other cotton pads I’ve used.
It’s important to use vegetable oil because it’s non-toxic and won’t harm your hamster if it consumes some of it. I like the AVO Organic 100% Vegetable Oil from Amazon.com because no harmful chemicals are used in the extraction process. Therefore, I know it’s safe to use not only for cooking, but also on my hamster’s wheel.
Additionally, AVO is committed to reducing its environmental impact, and the oil is made completely in the USA.
After you have your cotton and oil, the rest is simple. All you need to do is:
- Remove the wheel from the cage and take it apart.
- Put some oil on the cotton pad.
- Rub the oily pad all over the axle until it’s completely lubricated.
- Reassemble the wheel and return it to the cage.
Additionally, you can use butter instead of vegetable oil if you prefer.
You’ll need to repeat this process every time the wheel gets squeaky again, but it’s minimal effort for some peace and quiet as your hamster runs.
2. Upgrade to a Higher-Quality Wheel
One of the main reasons hamster wheels squeak so badly is that they’re typically made from cheap plastic material. Consider upgrading to a higher-quality and quieter wheel if your wheel is bothering you.
I highly recommend the Niteangel Super-Silent Hamster Exercise Wheel on Amazon.com. This wheel comes in a bunch of fun colors (I love the pink!), and it’s made with a double-bearing design that’s specifically designed to reduce noise.
The wheel is also available in three different sizes, so you