Exercise for Proper Dwarf Hamster Health

Hamsters need exercise just like humans do. Daily exercise is an important part of your hamster's overall health. Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart problems can be prevented by providing your hamster with daily exercise.

A teddy bear hamster will have a different activity level than a dwarf hamster. Teddy bear hamsters are nocturnal. This means they are active all night and then sleep during the day. On the other hand, dwarf hamsters are usually crepuscular. This means that they are usually active in the early morning and the early evening. The will take naps in between.

Many options are available to provide your hamster with adequate amounts of exercise.

The hamster wheel is a popular option for allowing your hamster to get enough exercise. It is quite convenient since your hamster can exercise right inside her own living are. There are several choices for getting a hamster wheel. You can get one made of plastic, or metal, or one that attaches to the side of the cage. Your local pet store should have several varieties available. If you are still not sure which one to choose you can ask one of the pet store employees. They should be able to help you decide which is best for your hamster.

Another great option to provide your hamster with exercise is an exercise ball. They provide your hamster with the freedom to roam around while getting plenty of exercise. Your local pet store should have a nice variety of hamster exercise wheels to choose from. They are made of plastic and will have holes in them for adequate ventilation. There are also some exercise balls that are mostly for fun and amusement. They come in various shapes and designs.

Some hamsters are allowed to roam freely around the house without the use of an exercise ball. The hamster may be placed in an enclosed area on the floor, or a sectioned off area on a counter top. This is not something I would recommend. You might accidentally step on your hamster or knock her off the countertop. Either one can be fatal to your hamster. There are also health concerns from letting your pet run along counters that are used for food preparation. Any carpet you have on the floor can be harmful to your hamster. Most of them will contain chemicals that are harmful to your hamster if she chews the carpet. There are many other household dangers that your hamster can be exposed to if she is allowed to roam around freely. She can ingest paint, chew on wood and many other items around the house. Your safest option would be to use a container that was designed especially to hold a hamster.

Something else you can do to provide your hamster with some exercise is just to handle her. During the times that your hamster is most active you should try and get in some play time. You should not wake her from a nap just to play with her. Hamster are known to be quite miserable if you wake them up and they would rather sleep.

Sit down or lie down and allow your hamster to crawl over your body. This should give her some exercise. You should not let your hamster crawl over your head and shoulders while you are standing. A fall could cause some serious injuries.

Children can also play with a hamster to provide them with exercise. Of course, an adult should supervise the play time.

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