When your hamster is pregnant, you should definitely remove the wheel for safety reasons. Also, hamsters are often lazy when pregnant anyway. But leaving a wheel once the babies are born can cause injuries to the babies or worse death. If it needs an upgrade It is important not to place the wheel too far from the ground or the beddings. Placing a wheel too high will give your hamster a hard time getting on it and getting off it. This will result in your hamster jumping off the wheel and hurting itself. Clean the wheel once a week Anyone who’s ever had a hamster before knows that while an exercise wheel is often the joy of your little furballs life, it is conversely nearly always the bain of yours. Cages which are too small to accommodate at least a 6.5″ wheel should be banned. This wheel size is only suitable for a Roborovski hamster (the smallest type). A cage that is too small to fit a 6.5″ wheel can not provide a suitable environment for any species of hamster. Some hamsters simply don’t like using a large hamster wheel. If that’s the case, you can try a flying saucer, which is flatter or has more upright wheels. This is a controversial topic because it takes so much floor space and also sends the hamsters flying when they go too fast.

A silent wheel is best for those owners who hate the noise/squeak that a regular wheel makes. If your hamster’s cage is in the same room as where you sleep, you are better off with this one. Hamsters are known to be most active at night. I let my hamster use a regular plastic one and boy, it woke me up all the time! Wooden Wheel Despite seeming like a fairly simple item, hamster wheels come in various designs and styles. Here’s what you need to know before purchasing. Size of Your Hamster

Size

As well as classically helping your hamster improve health, balance and agility, this wheel is made from 100% wooden material, creating an incredibly smooth motion unlike plastic, reducing the likelihood of annoying noises. The best hamster wheel should have a solid base and not with metal rungs or wire mesh. Letting your hamster use a mesh wheel can cause bumblefoot or foot injury, such as breaking bones on feet, which would lead to amputating limbs of your fur baby. HOW TO SAFELY USE A HAMSTER WHEEL The Hamster loving community get frustrated to see tiny wheels being advertised as suitable for both Dwarf and Syrian Hamsters (This is probably because it would only fit a tiny cheap cage). Another solution is to put extra bedding just under the wheel, which could prevent the wheel to run too fast.

Most plastic wheels tend to be incredibly squeaky and noisy, and given hamsters can run up to 6 miles in one day, the endless rattling can soon become a living hell. https://www.hamsterwelfare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tiffany-video-how-a-hamster-should-look-in-a-wheel.mp4 A cage that is too small to fit a 28cm (11″) wheel should not be advertised as being a suitable cage for a Syrian Hamster.Most hamsters pee on their wheel for some reason. Hence, you should wash it at least once a week to keep the hamster cage clean and pleasant in your hamster’s nose. A dirty cage or wheel can cause distress to your hamster. When the wheel is making noise

Now that you know the best large hamster wheels in the market and which sizes are safe to use, you are one step closer to making your hamster’s life enjoyable and safer. If you’re in doubt, seek advice on these Facebook support groups. The majority of hamster wheels are made from either plastic or metal. Metal is obviously a stronger material and is far more durable than plastic, but it is also harder to clean. Wooden wheels are also available and usually the quietest, however, they require varnishing to prevent stains and don’t last as long. Stands/ Fitting Same as the wheel, a flying saucer should meet the standard size requirements for each species of hamster. WHAT ARE THE BEST LARGE HAMSTER WHEELS A word of warning - hamster wheels should be removed from a cage where a mother is nursing babies. Not only could it become a distraction for her, but it's also potentially dangerous for her tots. Hamsters are protected by The Animal Welfare Act, it makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met. These include the need:

Noise

It is a criminal offence to ignore the requirements of The Animal Welfare Act: – to provide a suitable environment and to protect your pet from pain, injury and suffering. When selling unsuitable products retailers are misleading you as a customer to break the law. All Wheels below 6.5″ should be banned, this size is only suitable for a Roborovski hamster, anything smaller is not suitable for any size of hamster. This silent spinner wheel is distributed by Sharples Pet they also specialise in tiny cages, edible chews and kapok bedding. You can actually run some oil on the gear of the wheel to avoid the squeaky noise instead of buying a new one. If it doesn’t work and the noise still bothers you, you should opt for a silent wheel. AFRAID YOUR HAMSTER WILL FLY OFF THE WHEEL?