Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 06:59 pm
Hamsters are very active pets that spend most of their time running and playing. Sometimes we even wonder how they have so much energy to run on the wheel in their cage.
Hamsters love to use the wheel, they are never bored, and it’s really hard if the wheel breaks and they can’t use it for a certain time.
How long can hamsters go without a wheel?
Hamsters can’t last long without a wheel, no more than a day or two, once they get used to it, they just cannot live without running on the wheel.
In today’s article, we will find out how long hamsters can last without a wheel, and how to help them when they are without a wheel.
Why do hamsters like to use running wheels?
Hamsters use running wheels because they need to move every day and burn the energy in their body. Wheels help keep them in top shape and burn calories, which is healthy for hamsters.
Hamsters use the wheels because it is their natural behavior, basically running in nature or in the cage using the wheel.
The wheel helps them not to get bored when they are locked in the cage, you can imagine how they would be without wheels and toys, and how long they will last in this atmosphere.
The wheel also helps them to relieve stress and calm down, which is important for their mental as well as physical health.
What do hamsters do in the wild without a running wheel?
When they are in nature, hamsters do not have a running wheel in their space, but that does not prevent them from running all day.
When in nature, hamsters are not enclosed like in a cage, they use the nature around them as a substitute for a running wheel.
Also hamsters when the sun goes down they come out of their homes and look for food and escape from possible predators, and they do this by running several miles every night.
That’s why hamsters have a natural instinct to run on the wheel all the time when kept in a cage at home.
Will hamsters be ok without a running wheel?
Wheels should be in every hamster cage. Without them, the hamster will not die, but it will be boring and will have nowhere to spend its energy.
The running wheel helps the hamster to be free from stress, and stress is a very important thing that is dangerous for hamsters.
When hamsters are under stress, they get sick more easily because they have a delicate organism that is susceptible to disease.
Therefore, hamsters should always be allowed to have a running wheel in their cage.
Buy him a wheel according to his size, so that he is comfortable and the wheel is not too small for him, because he will injure his back if he always bends over when he runs on it.
The wheels improve fitness and also increases the stress-free life of the hamster.
What happens if you take the hamster’s wheel away?
It is best not to attempt to remove the running wheel from the hamster cage at all. They are used to it, and it will be a big shock, sadness, and stress for them.
Stress can only make the hamster sick, and surely no one wants that for their pet.
Except when the wheel is broken and needs to be replaced, in other situations hamsters should not be without their favorite wheel for fun.
Once the hamsters get used to the track, you can’t wean them to stop using it, they have to use it every day just like they eat and drink water.
The running wheel for them is one of the most important things they have in the cage.
Can hamsters survive without a wheel?
Yes, hamsters can survive without a running wheel, but it is not the best solution for your pet.
The running wheel has its advantages for their health so that they don’t get bored and feel good since they are still pets that spend most of their time locked in the cage.
They enjoy using the wheel at night and release excess energy which is healthy for them.
If you want you can try removing the wheel to see how they do for a day or two without a running wheel.
It may happen that they don’t show signs of nervousness or stress, so you don’t have to put the wheel back in the cage, but most hamsters will be nervous and stressed and will want you to give them back their favorite toy.
You can remove the wheel when the hamsters are sick, because then they need rest, not running on the wheel.
If they are sick and using the wheel may worsen their condition, but when they are well, put the wheel back in the cage.
Can hamsters go a day without a wheel?
You can remove the wheel and leave the hamsters without it for a day, but we don’t recommend doing that unless you have to.
Hamsters without a running wheel will affect their health and mood, it can only make them sick.
Regular wheel running is important for maintaining their health, both mentally and physically.
When hamsters are sick, they don’t live much longer, they can die quickly, which of course none of us wants for our pets.
That’s why the wheel allows them to be healthier, to live longer, and to rejoice together with them.
Do not remove the wheel unless it needs to be changed or the hamster is sick.
Will hamsters die without a wheel?
If the hamsters are without a wheel in their cage, they will be bored, they will not be able to exercise and be healthy, they will be under stress and they will start to get sick.
The end result of all this will be the untimely death of our furry pet.
The wheel allows them to burn calories, reduce stress and maintain their health.
Hamsters are active pets that have to move all the time, and the wheel allows them to do that when they live indoors or in a cage.
A running wheel is one of the best things that hamsters have in their cage and we should not leave them without it.
Read more: Why Is My Hamster Losing Weight? (Solutions And Advices)
How much space do hamsters need to play and run?
To make it easier to understand how much the wheel is needed by hamsters, we need to know how much space they need.
Research has been done on the space that hamsters need to be able to behave calmly and without stress.
Hamsters need an enclosure of 1500 square inches or about 5ft long and 2ft deep.
If their space is smaller than these dimensions, then the hamsters behave unsatisfied and stressed and bite the bars of the cage.
This is where their running wheel comes to the fore, which helps them not to get bored, not to be stressed, and to be able to spend energy.
What size wheel do hamsters need?
Hamsters need a wheel that will be appropriate for their size because otherwise they will have to bend over and it will count on their back and they will have problems.
Syrian hamsters, as the largest, should have the largest wheel or the diameter for them should be 28 cm so that they do not have to damage their back.
For other breeds of hamsters (Chinese, Roborovski, Campbell, and white winter) they need a wheel with a diameter of 20 cm, and maybe a little bigger to have a straight back.
Are wheels dangerous for hamsters?
In general, hamster wheels are not dangerous for them, except in certain situations.
Hamsters can get injured with running wheels if two hamsters use the same wheel, causing one hamster to get stuck while the other runs through the wheel.
Another important thing is to choose a wheel with a plastic solid surface and a ribbed wheel, not a wheel with metal wire because their limbs can get stuck.
How do hamsters learn to run on a wheel?
Hamsters do not need much training to know how to run on the wheel. They run non-stop in the wild, and in the cage, they need a little time to learn to run.
Once they learn to use the wheel they will never stop running.
Hamsters can run up to 8 kilometers in one night on their wheel in a matter of hours.
Read more: Why Is My Hamsters Heart Beating So Fast?
Conclusion
Finally, we can conclude that the wheel is necessary for hamsters to be healthy and live longer.
Hamsters are trained to move all the time, they use the wheel because they are naturally taught to be active and run all the time.
The wheel allows them to run daily and release energy, burn calories and reduce the stress they have.
The wheel can be removed for a short time when it needs to be replaced or if the hamster is sick so that his condition does not worsen, but when he is healthy again, he should return to his cage.
Hamsters can’t last long without a wheel, no more than a day or two, once they get used to it, they can’t wean it off.
