​​How Big of a Wheel for a Syrian Hamster?

If you own a Syrian hamster, you’ll know it’s a tame creature that’s friendly towards humans and loves getting exercise. Hamster wheels are always a good accessory for your pet hamster, but how big of a wheel should your Syrian hamster have? 

A wheel for your Syrian hamster should be a minimum of 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter. You should always choose the size of your hamster’s wheel based on the hamster’s size. Since a Syrian hamster is larger than other breeds, it needs a bigger wheel. 

In this article, I’ll look at why your Syrian hamster needs a wheel that’s at least 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter. I’ll also feature extra tips on choosing the best wheel for your hamster’s cage.

Why Your Syrian Hamster Needs a 10-inch (25-cm) Diameter Wheel

Syrian hamsters need a large enough wheel so they can run comfortably. It’s not unusual for hamsters to run approximately five miles (8 km) on their wheel every night!

Unless your Syrian hamster’s wheel measures at least 10 inches (25 cm), it will be uncomfortable for your hamster to use. For example, your hamster might end up arching its back so that it can properly use a smaller wheel, which can lead to health conditions such as pain or even spinal conditions. 

If you purchased your Syrian hamster a wheel and you can see that it never uses it, check that it’s the right size, as your hamster could be avoiding it because it doesn’t feel comfortable to use. It might even be causing it pain.

Besides considering the diameter of the hamster wheel, you need to ensure that the wheel is a bit wider than your pet’s body. If your hamster’s body is wider than the wheel, it will be uncomfortable for it to run on the wheel. So, measure your hamster at the widest part of its body and then use this measurement when shopping for hamster wheels. 

Are Bigger Hamster Wheels Better?

In a study published in the Laboratory Animals journal, Syrian hamsters were monitored on different types of wheels. The researchers found that the hamsters displayed a preference for wheels that were 13 inches (33 cm) in size instead of 9 inches (23 cm), so bigger wheels are usually better.

While your Syrian hamster requires a larger wheel, it shouldn’t be too big. Stick to a wheel that’s between 10 and 13 inches (25 to 33 cm), or your hamster could struggle to use it. If the wheel is too large for your hamster’s size, your hamster will struggle to move it. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Wheel for Syrian Hamsters 

Size aside, your Syrian hamster’s wheel should be safe and comfortable for it to use. Here are some tips to bear in mind when shopping for a hamster wheel. 

• Avoid mesh or wire hamster wheels. These are dangerous because your hamster’s paw could get stuck in the gaps while it runs. This can lead to injury and even dismemberment. 
• Choose metal instead of plastic. Although metal and plastic hamster wheels have their own pros and cons, metal wheels are more durable and will last longer.
• Choose a silent wheel. A noisy wheel won’t just irritate you, especially when your hamster runs on it at night, but it can stress out your hamster. Hamsters are sensitive to sounds. 
• Look for wheels with some grip. You don’t want your hamster wheel surface to be too smooth, as this won’t provide enough grip for your hamster to run. However, it mustn’t be too rough, as this can cause injury to your hamster’s paws.

Best Hamster Wheels for Syrian Hamsters 

If you’re searching for the best wheel for your Syrian hamster, here are three picks to consider and what makes them worth purchasing. 

• Niteangel Super-Silent Hamster Exercise Wheel (available on Amazon.com). This 10-inch (25 cm) hamster wheel has a wide track, so your hamster doesn’t have to bend or adopt an unhealthy posture while running.  

• Petest Hamster Exercise Wheel (available on Amazon.com). This 8-inch (20 cm) wheel is ideal for smaller Syrian hamsters, although you will have to upgrade it as your hamster grows. It’s versatile because the wheel can be free-standing (it comes with a stand for this purpose) or be attached to a wire hamster cage.

• Suncoast Wodent Wheel Tail Shield (available on Amazon.com). This 11-inch (27.9 cm) hamster wheel comes with a cage attachment included and a wall-to-wall plastic track to prevent injuries.

Final Thoughts

All hamsters should have wheels in their cages so that they can get exercise and enjoy burning off their excess energy, especially because they’re so active. If you own a Syrian hamster, its wheel should be at least 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter so that it won’t run into problems. This is important to: 

• Allow your hamster to have enough space to stretch and run. 
• Prevent injuries in your hamster from using unhealthy posture to run on the wheel.