A running wheel is a must-have if you own a Syrian hamster. The wheel lets your pet get the exercise it needs to stay healthy and remain entertained. However, Syrian hamsters are quite large, which makes choosing the right size wheel challenging.
A wheel size between 8-12 inches (20.32-30.48 cm) is ideal for Syrian hamsters as they’re larger than most other hamster breeds. The Hamster Society Singapore suggests that the minimum wheel size for a Syrian hamster should be 10.63 inches (27 cm).
There’s more to getting the size of the hamster wheel right than just measuring its circumference. Your pet should be comfortable and safe while using the wheel.
In this article, I will explain what the right size of a wheel for your Syrian hamster is, how to choose the right one, and how to deal with a hamster that is running too much on the wheel.
Why Do Hamsters Like To Spin in Wheels?
Hamsters like to spin on wheels because this activity mimics their natural habit of running for considerable distances in the wild to gather food. Running on a wheel also satisfies a hamster’s love of exploring and its naturally curious nature.
Some hamsters can run more than 5 miles (8.04 km) in a single night!
Running on a wheel is an excellent form of exercise for a hamster confined to its cage. The following are the benefits of running on a wheel for your hamster:
- It prevents your furry baby from putting on too much weight.
- It keeps a hamster fit and healthy.
- It lessens stress levels in a confined hamster and keeps at bay stress-related illnesses like Wet Tail.
- It keeps your pet engaged and keeps it from chewing the cage.
Providing your pet hamster with the right-size wheel is crucial for encouraging it to run.
Read How Much Should I Feed My Hamster
How To Buy the Right-Size Wheel for a Syrian Hamster
The ideal wheel size for your Syrian pet hamster is between 8 and 12 inches (20.32 and 30.48 cm). You might be tempted to buy one on the smaller side of this range to keep room for other toys in the cage. However, keep in mind that you will have to size up later when your pet grows.
Female Syrian hamsters are larger than the males of the species. If you have a female hamster, go in for a large-sized wheel.
Here’s a rule of thumb for buying the right-sized hamster wheel.
If your hamster has to arch its back while running on the wheel, the wheel is too small for it. Running with a bent back over a long time can