Exercising your Hamster
In the wild a hamster can cover 5 miles in a night, so it is important that they get enough of a run in captivity.
Exercise balls and wheels give hamsters the exercise they need. Wheels in the cage must be big enough for the hamster. If your hamster's back is curving when it runs or if you notice it avoiding it's wheel it could be that the wheel is too small. This hurts the hamster, so it's best to go get a bigger one! Never use a wire wheel; this is because a hamsters foot can slip between the rungs of the wheel causing potentially serious abrasions.
Floor balls also need to be big enough for the hamster. With Syrian balls its best to get one that opens both ends, they usually come with a stand and can be placed in your hamster's cage doubling-up as a wheel. If they have never seen a floor ball they can be quite tentative about going in, but once they are in they have a great time. Then by the second time they jump in happily! A hamster should only be left in its floor ball for about 20 minutes at a time, at which stage it's best to put it back into the cage to see if it wants some food or water.
Any props or toys placed in the cage will also provide your pet with lots of activities. Tubes, tunnels, mazes, ladders, blocks and platforms add more fun and adventure to your pet's habitat.
If you have spare time on a daily basis, you can exercise your hamster by playing with it. It's a great way to bond with your pet and speed up the taming process. All you need to do is make sure there are no escape routes and always keep your hamster in sight. A sofa is a great playground for a hamster, and you'll have loads of fun watching the stubborn ways of the Syrian hamster!
