3 Ways to Choose a Hamster Wheel (2024)

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Co-authored byMelissa Nelson, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: November 27, 2020References

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   Purchase a 6.5 inch (16.5 cm) wheel for smaller hamsters. If you own one of several small species of hamster, you can purchase an accordingly small wheel, such as the common 6.5-inch size.

   • Small species of hamster include dwarf hamsters, such as the winter white, roborovski, and Campbell’s hamsters.^[2]
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   Select an 8-inch wheel for larger species. Due to their larger size, Syrians need a proportionately larger wheel. An 8-inch (20 cm) wheel will give your large hamster the room it needs to run comfortably.^[3]

   • Larger species of hamster include the Syrian hamster, sometimes referred to as a golden or teddy bear hamster.

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   See Also

   Hamster Wheel: Buying Guides - Hamster101.comUltimate Hamster Wheel Guide - What Every Owner Should KnowHamster Wheel Selection: Ultimate Guide – HamsteropediaThe Complete Guide to Hamster Wheels and Spinners
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   Choose a wheel that matches your hamster’s width. The wheel that you choose should accommodate your hamster’s width. Ideally, the wheel should be little wider than the hamster’s body.^[4] When you’re shopping for a wheel without your hamster, you’ll have to visually estimate your hamster’s width in comparison with the width of a wheel.

   • If your hamster is much wider than your wheel, it will have a difficult time running inside the wheel and may stop using the wheel altogether.
   • You can also measure the widest part of your hamster’s body and then measure the widths of various hamster wheels at the store.
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   Watch the hamster run to evaluate the wheel. Once your hamster is running on its new wheel, watch it in action to see if the wheel is a suitable size. If the wheel you’ve purchased for your hamster is too small, you’ll note the animal running with its back arched.

   • Hamsters should be able to run on their wheels with their backs stretched out flat. This is the same position a hamster would run in if it lived in its natural habitat.
   • If the wheel is too small, the hamster's back will arch, which can injure the hamster's back.
   • If you have purchased a wheel and found that it’s too small for your hamster, you may be able to return or exchange it at the pet store where you bought it.

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   Pick a wheel that's compatible with your cage. Your hamster cage will influence the type of wheel you can buy. Many hamster cages have sides made out of wire and are compatible with wheels that can clamp onto the wire slate.^[5] If your cage has plastic sides, you’ll need to purchase a stand-alone hamster wheel that you can set firmly on the base of the cage.

   • There’s no substantial advantage to either style of wheel, other than that the clip-on wheels will leave the cage less cluttered and give your hamster more room to move around.
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   Select a wheel without rungs. In some hamster wheels, the inner surface is made of dozens of short, horizontal rungs, set close together. Avoid buying this type of wheel, as your hamster’s feet can slip between the rungs and become injured or broken. Instead, choose a wheel with an inner surface made of solid metal or plastic.

   • Many pet stores will sell the rung-style wheels at a lower price. Spend a little more money, and purchase a wheel that won’t harm your hamster.
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   Opt for a metal wheel for durability. Hamster wheels are typically made from either plastic for metal. While each material has its own advantages, metal is far more durable and long-lasting than plastic. Hamsters will gnaw on just about any object that you put in their cage, but metal wheels will hold up under this kind of treatment.

   • Plastic wheels are less likely to have metal rungs on the wheel’s bottom surface. However, you may need to replace plastic hamster wheels once or twice a year.
   • Whichever material you choose, the wheel should be smooth and free of defects. You also want one that is easily cleaned, such as a polished or coated metal wheel or a non-toxic plastic wheel.

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   Select a silent wheel. Hamsters do most of their running at night, and the last thing you’ll want is a loud, squeaky wheel. Avoid this by purchasing a quieter wheel. Many brands of hamster wheels are marked as "silent" on the packaging. The extra cost of silent wheels will be well worth the benefit they provide.^[6]

   • If this is your first time purchasing a hamster wheel, visit a local pet store and ask the sales staff for help. They should be able to recommend a quiet hamster wheel that won’t keep you awake at night.
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   Add vegetable oil to a squeaky wheel. If you already have a squeaky hamster wheel, you’ll need to find a way to silence it. A simple way to quiet the wheel is with a few drops of vegetable oil. Using an eyedropper, apply a small amount of the oil onto the squeaky joint, where the ball of the wheel rotates in its housing.

   • Do not use a chemical lubricant like WD-40, as it can potentially harm your hamster.

   See Also

   The Best Hamster Wheel A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Safest and Most Suitable Wheel for Your Furry Friend
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   Keep the hamster cage out of your bedroom at night. If you’re having trouble ensuring the hamster wheel rotates silently, you can simply keep your hamster outside of your bedroom at night. Take the cage to the kitchen or living room, and set it somewhere out of earshot.

   • Be sure not to place the hamster cage precariously near the edge of a table or dresser.

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