a b c Sherwin, C.M., 1998, Voluntary wheel running: A review and novel interpretation, Animal Behaviour, 56: 11–27 So to help you out, we’ve researched a ton of wheels and rodent exercise equipment, revealing some of the best hamster wheels on the market!

Banjanin, S., and Mrosovsky, N., 2000, Preferences of mice, Mus musculus, for different types of running wheel, Laboratory Animals, 34: 313–318. Mrosovsky, N.; Salmon, P.A.; Vrang, N. (1998). "Revolutionary science: an improved running wheel for hamsters". Chronobiology International. 15 (2): 147–158. doi: 10.3109/07420529808998679. PMID 9562919. Das Trixie Laufrad ist eine ausgezeichnete Ergänzung für die Aktivitätsbedürfnisse meiner Hamster. Die Verarbeitung aus hochwertigem Kunststoff ist stabil und langlebig. Mit einem Durchmesser von 28 cm bietet es ausreichend Platz für meine Tiere, um sich frei zu bewegen. It’s tail safe, resistant plastic hub also aims to provide a silent experience for owners and a comfortable, sure-footed run for any hamster.

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Hamsters are protected under The Animal Welfare Act and there is a good argument that small hamster wheels should be banned. In addition, Hamster cages which are too small to fit an adequate sized wheel should also be banned. The Hamster loving community get frustrated to see tiny wheels being advertised as suitable for both Dwarf and Syrian Hamsters (This is probably because it would only fit a tiny cheap cage). Belke, T.W., and Wagner, J.P. 2005. The reinforcing property and the rewarding aftereffect of wheel running in rats: a combination of two paradigms. Behavioral Processes 68: 165-172. If you haven’t heard of flying saucers for hamsters, they are a form of wheel which is more like a slanted running disc, which when used by your hamster gives the appearance of a UFO in flight!

The neurotransmitter systems involved in wheel-running behavior have received considerable study. [29] Recent evidence suggests that changes in both dopaminergic and serotonergic tone alter running-wheel activity. For example, one study in mice has shown that several antidepressant medications (all of which directly or indirectly enhance serotonergic tone) suppress running-wheel activity without suppressing general locomotion. [30] The endocannabinoid system also contributes to wheel running in a sex-specific manner in rodents. [31] Mice from lines that have been selectively bred for high levels of voluntary wheel running have altered responsiveness to drugs that alter dopamine and endocannabinoid signalling, and enlarged midbrains. [32] Animal welfare considerations [ edit ] Cages which are too small to accommodate at least a 6.5″ wheel should be banned. This wheel size is only suitable for a Roborovski hamster (the smallest type). A cage that is too small to fit a 6.5″ wheel can not provide a suitable environment for any species of hamster.Die Lauffläche ist angenehm gestaltet und gewährleistet eine sichere Nutzung. Die geräuscharme Funktion ist ein echter Pluspunkt, da sie die Umgebung nicht stört. Das ist besonders wichtig, wenn die Tiere im gleichen Raum schlafen. https://www.hamsterwelfare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Tiffany-video-how-a-hamster-should-look-in-a-wheel.mp4 Like other rodents, hamsters are highly motivated to run on wheels; it is not uncommon to record distances of 9km (5.6mi) being run in one night. Other 24-h records include 43km (27mi) for rats, 31km (19mi) for wild mice, 19km (12mi) for lemmings, 16km (9.9mi) for laboratory mice, and 8km (5.0mi) for gerbils. [8] Hypotheses to explain such high levels of running in wheels include a need for activity, substitute for exploration, and stereotypic behaviour. However, free wild mice will run on wheels installed in the field, which speaks against the notion of stereotypic behavior induced by captivity conditions. [9] Alternatively, various experimental results strongly indicate that wheel-running, like play or the endorphin or endocannabinoid [10] release associated with the ' runner's high', is self-rewarding. [8] [11] [12] Wheel use is highly valued by several species as shown in consumer demand studies which require an animal to work for a resource, i.e. bar-press or lift weighted doors. [8] [13] This makes running wheels a popular type of enrichment to the captivity conditions of rodents. A related exercise device is a running disc. This is a rotatable shallow bowl, or slightly concave disc, which is set an angle to the horizontal. [40] Some commercial refuges for caged rodents have a disc mounted on the roof at a slight angle. The rodents run on the rim of the disc in a similar way to running in hamster wheels.

You can choose whether to hang it from your furry buddy’s cage or leave it freestanding with its handy wire stand and its non-rung plastic surface prevents animals from getting caught.

To provide a suitable environment and to protect hamsters from pain and suffering the following changes need to be made so that pet keepers are not breaking the law:

Morin, L. 1978. Rhythmicity of hamster gnawing: Ease of measurement and similarity to running activity. Physiology and Behavior 21: 317-320 Gebhardt-Henrich, S.G., Vonlanthen, E.M., and Steiger, A., 2005, How does the running wheel affect the behavior and reproduction of golden hamsters kept as pets, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 95: 199-203. Hamster nest golden bear dodge nest wooden bedroom peeping house arch bridge climbing ladder hamster cage landscaping supplies Tierärztliche Vereinigung für Tierschutz (TVT) recommends wheels should be at least 20cm (8") for dwarf hamsters and at least 30cm (12") for Syrian hamsters, since smaller diameters lead to permanent spinal curvatures, especially in young animals. They also recommend a solid running surface because rungs or mesh can cause injury. [33] Meredith, Susan (2000). Hamsters. Tulsa, Okla.: EDC Pub. p.30. ISBN 9780794507961 . Retrieved 21 June 2020.