FAQ: Wheels for small pets

Some sturdy plastic or metal wheels can, if the manufacturer allows it, but high temperatures can warp plastic and damage the bearing. Washing the wheel by hand in warm water is safer.

A sturdy wheel can last several years, but bearings wear out and plastic can get chewed or crack. Replace the wheel when it starts to wobble or squeak, develops sharp edges or when the animal outgrows it.

You can, if the wheel is not cracked or chewed, turns easily and is the right size. Wash and dry it thoroughly before use, and it is better to avoid used wooden wheels that have absorbed odours.

It is a clear plastic ball with ventilation holes in which a hamster can roll around the room. Many vets and animal welfare experts now advise against it, because the animal sees poorly, cannot stop or hide and overheats easily.

An exercise ball carries more risk than a wheel or a play pen: the animal can bump into things, roll down stairs, overheat, and its feet can get caught in the ventilation slots. A safer alternative is supervised running in a play pen.

If you do use a ball, the time should be short, usually no more than 10–15 minutes, and only under supervision. The ball needs a cool area with no stairs, and if the animal breathes heavily or seems distressed, take it out at once.

A gerbil’s tail can get caught in the ball’s lid or ventilation slots and be injured. Gerbils also love digging and exploring, so a pen with bedding and hiding places suits them far better.

No. Rats are too big and need to explore their surroundings freely, while chinchillas overheat easily in an enclosed plastic space. These animals are better given a safe room or pen for supervised running.

If a ball is used, it must be large enough for the hamster to run with a straight back: considerably bigger for a Syrian hamster than for a dwarf. A ball that is too small forces the animal to arch its back just like a wheel that is too small.

Use it briefly and only under supervision, in a cool room without stairs or other pets, and check that the lid closes firmly. Never leave the animal alone in the ball, and clean the ball before each use.

No. A ball is only used briefly and under supervision, while a hamster needs to be able to run whenever it wants, especially at night. A wheel of the right size should always be in the cage.

Stress can show as fast breathing, constantly bumping into obstacles, trying to get out, freezing or heavy urination in the ball. In that case, take the animal out and return it to its cage to calm down.

The air in an enclosed plastic ball warms up quickly and moisture builds up, so the animal can overheat. But ventilation slots that are too wide are also dangerous, because toes or feet can get caught in them.

Remove droppings after each use and wash the ball in warm water with a mild unscented detergent. It must be completely dry and free of any detergent smell before the next use.

Tunnels let small pets move around feeling safe, because in the wild they run through burrows and under cover. A tunnel also encourages exploring, helps prevent boredom and gives a place to hide when frightened.

A Syrian hamster needs a tunnel with an inner diameter of at least about 7–8 cm, and larger individuals need it wider still. A hamster with full cheek pouches must pass through freely without getting stuck.

Rats need wide tunnels, usually at least 10 cm in diameter or larger, especially for big males. Rats also like fabric hanging tunnels they can rest in.

Guinea pigs need wide tunnels open at both ends, so the animal can pass through easily without getting stuck. For rabbits, tunnels must be larger still, so an adult animal fits through freely.

Small pets dislike being cornered, and a tunnel with two exits lets them escape from another animal or a fright. This is especially important when several animals live together, as it reduces the chance of conflict.

Plastic tunnels are easy to wash but can be chewed, wooden ones are sturdy and fine to gnaw but absorb moisture, and fabric ones are easy to launder and hang up. Choose based on whether your pet chews a lot and how easily you want to clean the tunnel.