What Kind of Toys Can Hamsters Play With?

Hamsters--a small rodent pet popular among children--love to play. Whether scooting across the floor in a running ball or happily nibbling an interactive treat in their cage, hamsters enjoy playtime. From edible treats to cage accessories that promote exercise, pet stores offer a variety of play toys to keep hamsters content.

  1. Chew Toys

    • Hamsters that nibble on chew toys keep their teeth naturally worn down, which prevents incisor overgrowth, according to Doctors Foster and Smith. Skewers of natural wooden treats, mineral blocks and rawhide hung from the bars of the pet's cage become a playful treat. Small huts made of soft, natural woods, chunky wooden chews and hard rubber toys labeled for small animal use also satisfy the pet's desire to play by chewing.

    Running Balls

    • During guided playtime with a human or when the hamster's cage requires cleaning, the pet can enjoy some time in a running ball. This toy allows a hamster to get exercise outside of its cage while exploring new areas of the home. The hamster ball can roll on carpet or smooth flooring surfaces, making it ideal for use in a variety of rooms in the home. To keep the pet close by, a hamster ball track allows the pet to run laps in a predetermined area.

    Running Wheels

    • A hamster can burn energy while playing on a running wheel mounted inside his cage. Running wheels allow the hamster to play without the guidance of its human caretaker. Varieties of running wheels include solid plastic wheels for dwarf hamsters with small feet or metal rung-style wheels more suitable for large, adult Syrian hamsters.

    Tubes and Ladders

    • Some hamster cages include ladders and tubes to promote playtime and exercise. These additions to a standard cage allow the hamster to climb, hang, stretch and run. Often available in many colors, tubes and ladders can coordinate with the other colors present in the pet's cage. Humans can interact with hamsters while they explore the tubes and ladders by placing treats at the far ends of the toys. This encourages the pet to seek out the food item.