Hamster doesnt run on the wheel

Question
Hello Sheila.

 My hamster is a very active little one but she has never run on her wheel at all. Neither does one that my friend owns. Her wheel is probably 7 or 8 inches in diameter and mine is a pretty fat Syrian so I'm guessing she'd require a bigger one?
But the problem is there's not enough space in her cage and I'm worried that even if i do somehow get it fixed she wouldn't know that she should be running in it. If that happens what can i do to get her to realize that its for running?
I do let her run around my house under supervision for an hour or so for exercise now.

Answer
Hi Mia

Thanks for your question.

Syrian hamsters do need exercise - in the wild they can run for up to 5 miles each night in search of food and bedding.  Therefore, in captivity they need a way to exercise.  Without exercise they can become obese and in worst cases, can develop cage paralysis.  However, a lot of Syrian hamsters are large hamsters.

The standard wheels that often come in cages can be too small for an adult Syrian, especially the teddy bear variety who tend to be a bit bigger than others.  Also, as you have discovered, not all cages will fit a big wheel.  If the wheel is too small they will not use it, or may just climb on the outside - if they try to run in it they have to arch their back too much, which is uncomfortable for them, so they give up.

Having said this, however, even if you get a wheel for her she may not run in it - I find that some of mine like their wheels more than others, but usually if I go into the room where their cages are in the middle of the night they are all running around.

The standard wheels that are too small, are usually around 4-6".  A wheel of 7-8" should be large enough.

In an ideal world, the best thing would be to get a larger cage that fits a large wheel, and other toys, but I know that this isn't always an option.  As an alternative, can you buy an exercise ball for her (they sell them on-line or in pet shops).  If you get one of these, tape over any joins in the ball as they do have a habit of opening if they bang into furniture.  Hamsters tend to love these as they can run around the house in them - keep them away from stairs and other animals when they are in these.  I monitor mine as they do have a habit of getting the ball stuck under furniture.  If she has this she could perhaps come out for a run in it in the evenings for 30 minutes at a time - mine love them so much I almost have to fight them to get them back in their cages!

Another idea is to create a separate play area for her - it would mean constructing a temporary cage that you could fit different toys, and perhaps a large free-standing wheel in it.  Make sure there is no way she can escape or chew her way out if you use a cardboard box and watch her all the time, but sometimes a change of scene and different toys are interesting to a hamster.

Apart from that, the only other thing is what you are currently doing of letting her run around her house under supervision.

I hope this helps you.

Regards
Sheila