Hamster Toys: The Perfect Workout For Your Little Pet

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Get Your Fat Little Pet Into Shape With Hamster Toys!

Toys are an essential part of any hamster's life. Without them, our little friends would lead a pretty dry existence. These toys do more than entertain, though. They actually play a very important role in keeping a hamster healthy. Although fat hamsters are pretty cool looking, they're not exactly pictures of perfect health. A lean active pet is what you should be striving for. Let's have a look at some fun hamster toys and the various health benefits they provide.

The Hamster Wheel: A Must For Every Active Rodent

If you're wondering where to start, look no further than the classic hamster wheel. This beauty is found in hamster cages everywhere nowadays. It really is a perfect low maintenance solution to your hamster's basic exercise needs. You just place it into your pet's cage and let him rip. Running is a great workout for hamsters and the wheel allows him to do it in the comfort of his own home. In my experience, hamsters aren't really picky about the wheel in their cage but you should consider one thing - size. I've heard that some hamsters won't run on a wheel if it's too big or small for them. Choose something that's about the right size and you shouldn't have to worry.

The Run-About: Sweet Sweet Freedom!

I love these things. With run-abouts, your hamster gets all the benefits of a wheel with the added bonus of freedom. The run-about is really quite a simple looking toy. It's basically just a clear plastic ball that allows your little buddy to exercise while exploring your living room. So how does it work? It's really quite simple. Take your hamster gently and place him inside the ball. Now just set the ball down on the floor and watch him go! These things are all kinds of tough so don't worry too much if he bashes into a few walls. While run-abouts are fairly safe toys, it's still important that your little friend is supervised while using it.

Climbing Toys: Turn Your Hamster Into A Mini Monkey

When discussing hamster exercises, most people don't really consider anything other than running. If your pet is anything like mine though, I'll bet he loves to climb. This is great because, much like humans, hamsters prefer a variety of exercises to keep fit. Get your little guy something to climb and I all but guarantee that he'll use it. Hamster climbing toys usually take the form of tree houses. I love this because it allows you, as the pet owner, to design a sort of ewok village for your hamster. One thing to consider when choosing an appropriate climbing toy for your hamster is the material it's made from. We all know that hamsters love to chew stuff so pick a toy that isn't toxic.

Digging Toys: Lookin' For Oil In A Hamster Cage

Now that you have your hamster running and climbing, it's time to add another exercise to his workout routine. All rodents love to dig. This is great because digging works different muscle groups for your little buddy. There are a few options when considering digging materials for a hamster. The most obvious one is plain old sand. Remember those sandboxes we used to play in as kids? Why not make a little sandbox of for your pet. Make sure you use natural wood and non-toxic glue to build the box. This way, your hamster won't get himself into trouble. If you're looking for a nice alternative to sand, you may want to consider a product called Fullers Earth. This stuff is wonderful. Hamsters love it and it keeps their fur healthy too. Your little buddy will be the envy of all his hamster buddies with his shiny new coat!

And In Conclusion...

Running, climbing, and digging are all great exercises for hamsters. It's important that you give your little guy toys that encourage all these activities. Don't be afraid to experiment as well. Different hamsters prefer different toys and exercises so offer your pet a wide variety of stuff to play with. Have fun!

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  • Reply
    Othercat Jan 17, 2011 @ 3:16 pm | delete
    I had a hamster when I was a kid. His favorite thing to do was run around the house in one of those balls.
  • Reply
    BertGaton Apr 14, 2009 @ 12:31 am | delete
    Thanks for your comments OctaviasOfferings. I forgot all about the Rotastak units... I'll add them to this lens when I get a second as they are stellar products! They really combine a whole lot of hamster toys into one big super gym of sorts. Great story about your son too. I can't believe your hamster actually followed him around while inside his run-about. Clever little buggers... :)
  • Reply
    0ctavias0fferings Apr 11, 2009 @ 7:23 am | delete
    I love the Rotastak units for hamsters, a more natural environment for their living quarters with all the tunnels etc. When my son was a young teen he didn't like to carry the units home from the pet shop, something about street cred, but we did all have lots of fun with our hamster. One thing we discovered is that hamsters are actually very bright, ours used to love trundling round in his ball and would actually follow my son ... it was a bit like a ball on an invisible chain attached to him and that little habit really took us by surprise.

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BertGaton

Bert Gaton's just another internet marketer. He hopes to one day quit his day job and Squidoo it up for a living. Bert takes pride in providing the... more »

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