Workouts For Hamsters

Many pet hamsters get exercise by rolling around in hamster balls, translucent or clear plastic globes into which they are placed. They also work out by running on rotating tread mills called hamster wheels or exercise wheels.
Research by Dr. Gernot Kuhnen, a biologist at the University of Giessen, Germany shows that as cage size increases, hamsters spend less time using exercise wheels. Dr. Kuhnen also found that hamsters housed in larger cages, accompanied by exercise tubes and tunnels, are healthier, less fearful and exhibit less aggressive behavior toward humans.

  1. Hamster Wheel

    • The hamster wheel is considered by many experts to be an important part of the pet's exercise regimen. It allows the animal to work out any time without leaving the cage. The wheel should not be made of rungs; it should have a smooth running surface. An 8-inch wheel is the smallest wheel for any hamster other than dwarf hamsters.
      Dr. Kuhnen states that there is some debate among biologists and animal behaviorists as to the benefit of exercise wheels for hamsters.

    Hampster Ball

    • Hamster Hideout recommends using a hamster ball. In addition to providing exercise, the ball serves as a pleasant place to temporarily house the pet while cleaning its cage. Limit workouts in the ball to 20 minutes to prevent exhaustion and dehydration. Ventilation holes should be small enough to keep the hamster's feet inside the ball. Keep the ball away from stairs and other drop-offs.
      Small Angel Rescue recommends against using an exercise ball. Escaped hamsters have been found rolling down public streets.

    Tunnels, Tubes and Playpens

    • Hamsters are naturally burrowing creatures that exercise by crawling through tunnels. Adding tubes with twists and turns to cages mirrors this experience. A pet hamster works out different muscle groups as he negotiates the course. Tubes, which can be straight or angled, also help satisfy his natural urge to explore.
      For playpens, use household plastic tubs. These offer an expanse of space for an out-of-the-cage experience, which hamsters embrace enthusiastically.

    Increase Cage Size

    • Dr. Kuhnen's research concludes that increased cage size enables hamsters to get more exercise. This is especially true for younger pets who are "highly motivated to engage in energetic exploratory and play activities requiring extra space." His test results showed that hamsters in larger cages with exercise tubes are stronger and healthier than those in small cages.
      Hamsters need sufficient space to organize their living area. They set aside a place to sleep, a place to urinate and a place to climb and explore. Cages with floor space of less than 124 square inches diminish the inhabitant's physical and emotional health. House hamsters singly to avoid the undesirable exercise of fighting.

    Gnawing

    • A vital exercise for hamsters is gnawing. Provide some pieces of soft wood or gnawing toys for the animal to chew on. In addition to exercising chewing muscles, gnawing prevents overgrown teeth from occurring and keeps teeth sharp. If hamsters have soft wood or a gnawing toy available they are less likely to cause chewing damage to water bottles and cage parts.