Wild hamsters travel miles every night in search of food. Miles! Your domestic hamster has the same urge to move around as his wild cousins. Keeping your hamster healthy and happy includes giving him lots of exercise.
Exercise Wheels
An exercise wheel is a MUST for your hamster cage!
Try to pick a wheel that has a solid running surface, rather than rungs. That common wire wheel (the kind that looks like a ladder bent into a circle) can lead to injuries. Make sure the wheel is free standing or attaches securely to the side of the cage so the exercise wheel doesn’t tip over with your hamster inside!
Pick an exercise wheel that is the right size for your hamster. When in doubt, err on the side of size. A wheel that is too big won’t be a problem for your hamster; a wheel that is too small can be uncomfortable or cause injuries.
One last consideration: the noise factor! Hamsters are nocturnal and will be using the exercise wheel at night. If you are going to share a bedroom with your hamster, you want to make sure the wheel is quiet. You can always lubricate a squeaky exercise wheel with a little squirt of vegetable oil — the oil won’t be dangerous to your little furry athlete but should help cut down on the squeaking.
Exercise Balls
Exercise balls give your hamster a chance to run around outside his cage. While they are a great source of exercise, they will probably not be enough exercise for your hamster. You can find several different types these days: a traditional ball shape, a wheel shape that propels a car, and even an exercise ball with a track system for containing your hamster’s movement.
Don’t leave your hamster in his exercise ball for too long — no more than fifteen or twenty minutes at a time. He can easily overheat in the little ball without a source of water to stay hydrated. Make sure the ball has good ventilation.
Be careful with where you let your hamster roll around. Don’t let your hamster play too close to the stairs — a tumble down the stairs (even in the exercise ball) can cause serious injuries.