Why does a hamster constantly run on a wheel? Why do hamsters run on a wheel? Reasons why hamsters run on wheels

Having a pet in the house is a typical dream of a child or adult. Some people like cats, others like dogs, and still others choose small hamsters. They are easy to care for, require little food, and make little noise. Hamsters run in a wheel, drag all the objects in the cage into the house, bury themselves in sawdust, etc.

Why do hamsters run on a wheel? Animals definitely need to buy or make a running ball. The hamster channels its accumulated energy into physical activity.

Why do hamsters run on a wheel?

Running is one of the hamster's natural instincts. In the wild, a rodent runs to search for food or runs away from a premonition of danger.

But why do hamsters run on a wheel at home? This is due to the following reasons:

• the need to lose excess weight;
• large accumulation of energy;
• need for physical activity, etc.

Hamsters love to run on wheels. This is one of my favorite leisure activities. Inside it they can sleep, sit, eat, and wash.

Djungarian hamsters are more active than Syrian hamsters. An adult hamster can run 10-12 km per day at a normal pace. They are nocturnal animals, which is why hamsters run on wheels at night. In the period from 23 to 7 o'clock they can run up to 6-7 km.

Hamster does not run on a wheel: reasons

The first reason is that the little hamsters have just been moved into a new home. At first they take a closer look at him. After an adaptation period, their interest in the wheel will increase. The hamster will want to try out the toy. He will try to climb inside and sit. After 2-4 days, hamsters begin to run every day.

Another common problem is the lack of desire to run in a machine. Reasons for this behavior:

1. Small wheel sizes. For a Syrian hamster the diameter of the toy is 18 cm, for a Djungarian hamster it is 15 cm.
2. Age of the animal. Young hamsters are more active and run in a wheel every day, older ones - once every 2-3 days.
3. Disease. Check the animal for diseases.
4. Poor quality toy. The distance between the rods should be small. The wheel is solid, without metal mesh.
5. Heavy weight of the device. Choose a plastic trainer. Metal structures cause discomfort in animals.

The third reason is the presence of rods that threaten the hamster with injury. The animal's paw gets stuck, and it suffers sprains and bruises. Running becomes painful. The rodent spends most of its time sitting or lying down. Be sure to contact your veterinarian to avoid making the situation worse.

The fourth reason is a large cage. If its dimensions exceed 1*1 m, then the animal will run throughout the entire free area, not limiting itself to just the wheel.

Which wheel to choose?

Hamsters love to spin high-quality wheels, without gaps and with serifs. After metal toys, the paws get tired and can be torn until they bleed. The small dimensions of the device will cause problems with the spine.

The owner must choose a quality hamster wheel. Consider these parameters:

• diameter from 14 to 18 cm;
• material - solid plastic or iron with fine mesh;
• lack of distance between the rods;
• attachment to cage, etc.

There should be no noise or vibration when running. This will scare the hamster. Before launching it into the toy, check the fastening. Found causes must be eliminated immediately.

Do not mount the device too high. 5 cm from the floor of the cage is an excellent solution. The hamster will easily climb into the wheel and run.

How to teach a hamster to run on a wheel?

Sometimes hamsters do not understand the purpose of the toy even after a period of adaptation. How to teach a hamster to run on a wheel? A tamed animal is easy to train.

Ways to make your hamster interested in the wheel:

1. Think about the arrangement of objects in the cage. Free access to the wheel is convenience and comfort for the animal. Don't clutter the space with unnecessary accessories. If the animal's house has several floors, the wheel should be on the bottom.
2. Change the toy. The animal may not like the appearance of the accessory. Change the color, size, location of the wheel.
3. Put food in the exercise machine. Your favorite treat will attract the animal's attention. Give it every time your pet shows interest in the toy. Pleasant associations are great motivation.
4. Show how the accessory works. Place the hamster inside and start spinning the wheel slightly. Do this smoothly, without sudden movements. The main thing is not to harm the animal and teach how to use the device.

The owner’s task is to properly familiarize the animal with the device. It is necessary to try different methods. Don't forget about an individual approach to each animal!

Wheel or walking ball?

Not all hamsters prefer regular wheels. Offer your pet a walking ball. This is an accessory with transparent material and doors. The lid serves for the entry or exit of the animal. Secure with latches.

Why do hamsters love to run in this type of wheel? Running in a walking ball, the hamster has more free space. He can move around the whole house, rather than just playing with a toy in his crate.

1. The design should have natural ventilation - small holes in the lid along the entire length of the accessory.
2. Time limit - 30 minutes. Prolonged activity exhausts your pet and can cause harm to health.
3. Do not leave the animal unattended. Over time, the ball will wear out and the lid will loosen. If the hamster gets out of the accessory, it can harm the property and itself.

Color doesn't matter. Hamsters do not distinguish between shades. They love comfortable and light balls. Buy a transparent plastic sphere.

Dimensions

Standard parameters of walking balls:

• 13 cm;
• 18 cm;
• 29 cm;
• 33 cm.

For a Syrian hamster, a diameter of 20-30 cm is suitable. This is due to the size of the animal.

For Djungarian hamsters, choose small balls. The optimal range is 13-18 cm.

Choose a wheel for your pet. Check the wheels: their diameter should be at least 18 cm. If the hamster is cramped in the wheel, he may refuse to run in it, or he will develop problems with the spine, because he will have to strongly arch his back when running.

Check whether the wheel spins easily and whether the animal will have to make too much effort to move it. Turn the wheel yourself by hand: if it turns hard, lubricate the axle with oil.

For the safety of the hamster, it is important that there are no cross wires in its path. Otherwise, there is a risk that the baby will harm himself. Therefore, purchase wheels with a continuous working surface. A good option would be a wheel that is completely closed on one side and open on the other so that the hamster can easily get in and out of it.

After making sure that the wheel meets all the necessary requirements for the safety and comfort of the animal, you can introduce the hamster to its treadmill. Carefully place your pet in the wheel and cover the exit with your palm or a piece of paper. The animal must instinctively move forward so that the wheel begins to spin. If he doesn't know how to do this, try helping him with a treat.

Don't be upset if your pet doesn't immediately start running enthusiastically in the wheel - he needs to get used to the new object. Give your baby a treat every time he shows interest in the wheel.
Don't forget that hamsters are most active in the evening and at night - that's why you need to make sure that the wheel is as silent as possible.

Naturally active hamsters need to move at home no less than what happens in the open spaces where rodents are accustomed to living. It is very important for animals to be able to expend their energy in order to maintain good physical shape and health. Otherwise, they may face problems of obesity and metabolic disorders due to a passive lifestyle, which is not typical for rodents. In such cases, hamsters are saved by allowing them to run hundreds of meters a day. However, animals do not always readily accept the exercise machine, ignoring jogging. We'll talk about why a hamster doesn't run on a wheel and how to train it below.

First you need to figure out why the hamster doesn’t run in a wheel:

1. problem in the design or fastening of the wheel;
2. the running wheel size is not selected correctly;
3. the level of fastening of the wheel is not convenient for the hamster;
4. noise when the wheel rotates;
5. danger of injury to the hamster;
6. age and health of the pet.

Now let's move on to a more detailed consideration of each reason. So, the problem may be with the machine itself, so you need to check it for secureness. Carefully inspect the device for strength and correct fastening. A shaky structure or excessively large distances between the rods on the running surface may not please the rodent and it will refuse to run. Secure the wheel more firmly, and lay a path of thick cardboard on the surface so that the hamster’s legs do not fall through or get stuck while moving.

Pay attention to the dimensions of the device. Perhaps the hamster does not spin the wheel due to its small diameter. For a Syrian rodent, the wheel must be at least 18 cm in circumference, for a Djungarian - at least 12 cm. The small size will not allow the animal to move freely, forcing it to give up active activities. It is also important to consider the material from which the wheel is made. Some hamsters do not like metal products, preferring plastic ones, while others do the opposite.

Inspect the level of the wheel. If the attachment goes along the wall of the cage, try lowering the exercise machine lower or higher, depending on the size of the rodent. One of the reasons for ignoring it is the inconvenience of getting inside the running “field”. Make access free, remove possible obstacles in the form of a house or feeding trough.

Among the reasons leading to wheel failure may be its squeakiness and potential danger. If the metal wheel begins to squeak, lubricate it with a small amount of vegetable oil for silent movement. The hamster may not like loud sounds, having a bad effect on the emotional background, which ultimately leads to refusal to use the simulator.

Check how close the axis of rotation is to the running surface. If the distance is too small, causing injury to the rodent, adjust it, or replace the wheel with a new high-quality option. It is possible that while moving, the hamster could have pinched or bruised its paw, discouraging any desire to run in a dangerous object again.

Pay attention to the health of your pet, whether he is healthy. Perhaps he has entered the stage of old age and has ceased to be active due to natural reasons. In this case, the animal runs rarely and for a short time, showing clumsiness and sluggishness. Don't worry about his passivity and encourage him to jog, luring him into the wheels with tasty treats.

If you have just recently purchased a wheel and all the described conditions are met, then leave the rodent for several days and observe its behavior. As soon as the animal gets used to the new object, it will begin to show interest in the “toy”. It is advisable to observe your pet at night, when its activity peaks. If the animal continues to pass by the simulator or has stopped running in it for an unknown reason, you can try to accustom the dwarf dog or a representative of another breed to the running wheel in several ways.

We accustom the rodent to active activities

A big help in how to accustom a hamster to a wheel will be his favorite food. Observe your pet to find out all its gastronomic preferences. Then place your favorite treat inside the running wheel and watch your pet's behavior. The smell of food will force the rodent to climb inside the simulator to find a fragrant piece. Similar tricks must be done until the animal gets used to running. With each new approach, pieces of food should be placed one level higher, provoking the hamster to spin the wheel, climbing up.

If your pet's favorite food does not prompt you to take active action, use the method of blocking the entrance. To do this, you will need a piece of plywood or thick cardboard, which must be used to block the exit from the wheel while the hamster is inside. The inability to get out will force the rodent to actively look for ways to get out, moving along the wheel. You need to use this method several times, forcing the animal to run inside the drum. After several procedures, the rodents become completely accustomed, begin to understand the principle of operation of the simulator and enjoy using the new “toy”.

Alternative to a running wheel

If the measures taken have not awakened the pet’s desire to spin the wheel, then it is better to provide him with a full-fledged replacement. Despite the natural needs for active movement, there are bright individuals among hamsters who completely ignore the simulator. Such hamsters do not like running in a wheel, regardless of its material or convenient location.

Alternatively, give it to your pet for moving around inside the apartment. Hamsters willingly use this item, which provides them with an active lifestyle and freedom of movement with protection from external danger.

Walking in the ball, the hamster has a large area to run around and explore, which is attractive to rodents. By the way, sometimes it helps to teach a hamster to run in a wheel if other methods have failed. For an unknown reason, the rodent's opinion about the drum changes, leading to active use of the “toy”.

Getting your hamster used to the wheel

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Almost every family has a beloved pet. Some people breed cats, others dogs, others love more exotic animals - snakes, unusual fish, lizards. Well, small animals like hamsters are one of the most common types of pets. They don’t take up much space, they live in their own cage, they need little food, and you can watch the hamsters spinning amusingly in the wheel for hours.

To find out, zoologists spent quite a long time tracking the behavior of hamsters in their natural habitat.

It was found that an adult hamster can run in one night about 12 kilometers!

It's all about instincts. Hamsters run around a lot in the wild in search of food. You can say, " hamster legs fed". Although hamsters do not eat much, these animals are accustomed to hiding food in reserve. That's why they need constant replenishment of supplies. And in an artificial living environment, they do not need to find food for themselves, but the instinct remains. Therefore, a wheel in their cage is simply necessary.

The second reason why hamsters run in a wheel is protection from dangerous predators. In nature, you need to be able to run fast if you want to survive. And, since hamsters are animals of the dark, they most often run away from owls and other birds of prey. If the animal is in constant motion, the chance of being eaten decreases significantly.

These two factors show that hamsters have a very large reserve of energy. If in a real habitat they can throw it out, then in a cage it is much more difficult to do this. That's why they should buy such wheels. It is not only entertainment for the animal, but also an excellent way to channel your energy in the right direction.

Zoologists have long figured out how fast hardworking hamsters spin their wheels. The average speed of the animal at which it accelerates is 5 km/h. This is the same as a person moving on foot. Only a human's legs are tens of times longer than a hamster's. This means that the animal spends many times more energy to turn this wheel.

The energy of hamsters has been haunting people for a long time. After all, their energy can be used for real benefit to humans. This is what the English student did. He I used my animal to charge my mobile phone. When his hamster was once again spinning circles in the wheel, the young man brought an electric generator to it, and attached it to the phone charger with the other end. Thus, his mobile device was charged by 10% every few minutes. This is how the pet, without knowing it, generated free energy for its owner.

In addition to these benefits, by installing a wheel in a hamster cage, you benefit the health of your animal. Running every day, he will never suffer from obesity. It is useful for these animals to engage in some kind of physical exercise, because they eat very often during the day, and problems with weight for such a small animal can even threaten death.

Is your hamster not running on a wheel?

Why doesn't he like to run? There may be two reasons.

Firstly, the hamster can don't like it his wheel. For example, very often owners buy their pet a wheel that is not solid, but made of metal mesh. Yes, a hamster cannot chew such a wheel, but its paws can be damaged if they get caught between the mesh bars. And he doesn't like it.

Secondly, your hamster may already got old. After a certain age, the hamster no longer becomes so active and mobile. Runs in the wheel less and less often. Races are getting shorter. Later, clumsiness in movements will appear. Unfortunately, the lifespan of these rodents is very short, and they quickly age after 2-3 years of life.

How to teach a hamster to run on a wheel?

Getting a hamster to run on a wheel is almost impossible. If he doesn’t want it himself, he’s unlikely to go jogging. The only thing you can do is buy him good comfortable wheel which he will definitely like. Well, if your hamster is old, then this will not help.

Take care of your little friends! Be sure to purchase a high-quality wheel and feeder for your hamster. After all, even such a small animal wants to have its own cozy corner.

These little red rodents have long won their place in the human world and in our hearts. Who didn't have a hamster as a child? Only a few! And we are all one hundred percent sure that we know everything about the content and character of these furry little ones.

Did you know that hamsters, like chinchillas, love to bathe in clean sand, this keeps their fur neat and shiny. But volcanic dust is not suitable for them!

If you have a Syrian hamster, then regardless of the size of the cage, under no circumstances should it be housed with company. Syrians are very pugnacious and prone to solitude. But dwarf hamsters (Teddy bear) willingly live with company.

If you do not want your hamster to hibernate, you need to keep the room at a constant temperature of 20 degrees C.

In nature, a hamster can run up to 12 km per day. At home, you can measure how many kilometers a hamster runs in a wheel. During the night, the Syrian hamster runs 6-10 km in a wheel at a speed of 2 to 3.6 km per hour.

Hamsters are lowland animals and have no sense of heights, so you should not leave your pet alone on a table or windowsill. The hamster will simply crash, wanting to leave his place.

These small rodents are not vegetarians at all. Hamsters do not disdain bugs, so they will really like a little boiled chicken.

Hamster exhibitions are held in Western Europe, North America and even Russia. They evaluate whether the animal meets breed standards. But in such events you can take part in competitions: races in walking balls, competitions for the heaviest hamster, the most spacious cheeks, the most charming character.

Hamsters live up to 3 years, but most often die at 2 years.

An interesting fact regarding hamsters was registered on February 28, 1974. A female hamster, owned by the Miller family (USA), gave birth to 26 babies. This is more than 3 times the average litter size, which is 8 pups.

Dwarf hamsters are included in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest rodents. The northern dwarf hamster (Baiomystaylori), which lives in Mexico and the states of Arizona and Texas, USA, has a head and body length of 3.6 cm.