Exercise

Plenty of exercise is important for your hamster. Not only do you need to handle your hamster several times a day, you also need to buy your hamster an exercise wheel. These wheels come in many forms. You can get ones with a wire bar base, a plastic bar base, or a solid plastic base. Solid plastic bases are good for keeping your hamster's nails the proper length. Solid plastic bases are also good because they can run much faster and get much more exercise out of it because their little paws don't fall through the bars as they're running (and are better for Dwarf Hamsters). There are many sizes of wheels, depending on the type of hamster you have. Make sure you have a suitable size wheel for your hamster, so they are comfortable and are not squished or struggling. Some wheels attach to the cage and some don't. Some wheels are open on both sides and some are only open on one side. Some wheels have curved sides and some have straight sides. Some wheels have one center foot and some have an all around wire foot. These four things are up to you and your hamster to decide. (Whichever is easier for your hamster). All wheels come in different colors and styles, but the wheels that I recommend (and that my hamsters have) are (pictured from left to right) SAM Jogging Wheel (wire bar base; open on both sides) and Small Animal Kingdom Exercise Wheel (comes with the stand and is solid plastic base; open on one side).

*Health Note* You need to wash and dry your wheel each week at the least. If you have a solid plastic base wheel it may require more cleaning.
*Health Note* Some hamsters will try and chew on the plastic or bars. You can cut down your hamster's chewing habits by getting them hard treats or wood. See the Treats section of In the Hammie Cage for information on this.
*Safety Note* Remember to wash your hands with non-scented soap before and after holding your hamster. If you don't wash them before, you might have scents on your hands, causing your hamster to bite you! If you don't wash your hands after, you will spread your hamster's germs that are on your hands into your body and might make you sick!

Exercise/Run-About Balls

It is a good idea to buy your hamster an Exercise Ball, also called a Run-About Ball. These are round, plastic balls with air slits and a detachable door on them. You can put your hamster in them, fasten the door, and let your hamster run around your room without you having to worry about your hamster getting lost or stuck. With this ball, your hamster cannot fit into small spaces (like behind furniture) and the balls come in many bright colors so you can see your hamster from the corner of your eye. Even though your hamster is safe from getting lost in this ball, you should still NEVER leave the room that your hamster is running in. Always supervise your hamster and make sure there are no stairs your hamster might fall down. There may be some spots were your hamster gets trapped behind an object and won't be able to get around it. In times like these, your hamster needs you to pick up the ball or other object and move it elsewhere. It is easier for Dwarf hamsters to run on tile or wood floor, but they can get used to running on carpet if they don't seem to be struggling for dear life. These balls vary in size, and you should make sure the ball is the correct size so your hamster isn't squished or struggling. Below is a picture of one of these balls in the brand I buy. It's a Super Pet Run-About Ball. All Exercise Balls come in many different colors as well as clear, but I suggest you get a bright colored one (like the yellow shown) so it's easy to spot your hamster.

*Caution* Make sure you securely fasten the door to the ball before letting your hamster run about. Trust me, I've had the experience of an escape from one of these balls (but I saw my hamster just in time!) because I didn't close thedoor all the way! But that was my first hamster, and I learned from my mistake! So keep an eye on your hamster at all times!

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