One very important part of owning a Syrian hamster is making sure you have the most suitable accessories in their cage, whilst also having a large cage. A huge part of that is making sure they have the correct wheel for their size. Some Syrians stay small, whilst others get huge – especially females. You never really know how big they’re going to get when they’re fully grown, which is why it’s more important to have one they can grow into, rather than one they can grow out of.
Firstly, here are some examples of wheel that are the worst, and why.
WORST
Wired hamster wheels
The image above is a perfect example of what you shouldn’t be buying. These wheels have caused unnecessary death and injury amongst hamsters. The reason being is they can easily get stuck whilst running on this wheel, which has lead to many hamsters losing limbs and breaking bones. Making this the number one worst wheel you can buy.
Small wheels
The image above, as you can see, the wheel is far too small for the hamster inside it. This poor hamster is completely cramped up in this wheel, which will cause curvature of the spine, along with an immense amount of pain. Your hamster needs to be running on their wheel with their back straight, to prevent this.
Now you see how dangerous these wheels are, let’s go onto some of the best wheels you can buy!
BEST
Trixie wheels
The image above represents two great wheels known amongst the hamster community as being some of the best. The plastic trixie wheel comes in great sizes, it’s safe for your hamster and is very budget friendly. If you’ve gone for a more natural look in your hamster cage then the wooden trixie wheel will not only be aesthetically pleasing but also very practical, silent and a great quality. These wheels also have a protective barrier to prevent your hamster from potentially falling out of their wheel.
Saucer wheels
The image above is an example of a saucer wheel. They were created with the intent to keep your hamsters back straight, which means they can exercise safely. There are various sizes when it comes to saucer wheels, so make sure you get a suitable one tailored for your hamsters body size, to ensure they fit on the wheel correctly.
Why not check out my other content such as –
Is a Hamster The Right Pet For You? Things You Need To Know.
