How to Attach a Hamster Wheel to a Cage

This wheel might be too small.

Hamsters may run several miles a night and even the largest cage doesn't allow them to do this. You should let the hamster out for exercise every day, either in a hamster-proofed room or an exercise pen, but this isn't enough in itself. To ensure that your pet gets enough exercise, a wheel is almost essential. Once you have the wheel, attaching it isn't at all complicated.

Things You'll Need

• Pet carrier

Instructions

1. Transfer your hamster to a pet carrier or exercise pen to prevent it from climbing out of the cage and hiding somewhere inaccessible. Attaching a wheel takes two hands and some wheels, especially the cheap ones, can be a little awkward, needing a couple of tries to attach securely.

2. Remove all the packaging from the wheel. Save the box if it's made of cardboard--it makes another hamster toy.

3. Pull away the detachable knob at the back of the wheel, if it has one.

4. Position the wheel inside the cage, next to the mesh in the middle of one side. Allow a few inches between the wheel and the floor.

5. Push the knob from the outside of the cage mesh into the hole at the back of the wheel until it clicks. If the wheel has an attached, flattened knob, slide the knob through the mesh or bars from the inside and twist it from the outside to secure.

6. Check that the wheel is attached securely and spins freely before replacing your hamster.

Tips & Warnings

• Hamsters sometimes chew their wheels. If your hamster is a chewer, stock up on cheap wheels and replace as necessary. The cost is likely to be less than commercial hamster treats, and more beneficial for the animal.

• Remove the wheel from the cage once a week, wash with warm water and dishwashing liquid and dry with paper towels. It is simplest to do this as part of your regular cleaning routine.

• Buy a solid wheel rather than one with rungs, which may cause injury by trapping a hamster’s foot.

• Always choose a wheel big enough that your hamster can run without contorting itself. Its body should be only slightly curved when it runs. Small wheels are fine for dwarf hamsters, but not suitable for an adult Syrian hamster. An exceptionally large hamster might need a rat wheel.

References

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Questions About Other Pets
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Hamster Care