So, I am planning to get a Syrian hamster and apparently they need a 30cm wheel. I have been looking at etsy and there are lots of stainless steel and alumnimum wheels, as well as wooden ones. I heard wooden ones are difficult to clean when hamsters pee on them and I am considering metal ones. Is there anyone here who used them and are they safe?
Are metal wheels safe?
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The post linked below has some good recommended wheels for Syrians 
The only metal ones I'm aware of are tic tac wheels and they are quite heavy and also expensive. Any wheel needs to have a solid surface for running on and a safe design without anywhere a hamster could get a leg trapped. So no mesh wheels, and only wheels with a safe, solid stand. Popular ones are Niteangel acrylic wheels and Silent Runner wheels. They're both on the list and are both silent wheels Sizewise you want an 11" or 12" wheel. The new Omlet 27cm wheel is good too and also silent - that's about 11". Wood and cork ones aren't too bad, but you really need to paint the cork surface and the inside of the wheel with plastikote, petsafe, waterproofing enamel paint (water based). If you're in the US that can be difficult to get hold of. If you're in the Uk it's about £5 a pot, so adds to the cost of the wheel. But easy to paint on and dries very quickly
www.thehamsterforum.com
The only metal ones I'm aware of are tic tac wheels and they are quite heavy and also expensive. Any wheel needs to have a solid surface for running on and a safe design without anywhere a hamster could get a leg trapped. So no mesh wheels, and only wheels with a safe, solid stand. Popular ones are Niteangel acrylic wheels and Silent Runner wheels. They're both on the list and are both silent wheels Sizewise you want an 11" or 12" wheel. The new Omlet 27cm wheel is good too and also silent - that's about 11". Wood and cork ones aren't too bad, but you really need to paint the cork surface and the inside of the wheel with plastikote, petsafe, waterproofing enamel paint (water based). If you're in the US that can be difficult to get hold of. If you're in the Uk it's about £5 a pot, so adds to the cost of the wheel. But easy to paint on and dries very quickly
Hamster Wheels 2025
Just to have an up to date guide for suitable Hamster wheels available in 2025. Note some links on this thread are Amazon affiliate links and other affiliate links, for which this site receives a commission, at no extra cost to you. So if you're looking to buy a wheel that is sold by Amazon...
www.thehamsterforum.com
The post linked below has some good recommended wheels for Syrians
Hamster Wheels 2025
Just to have an up to date guide for suitable Hamster wheels available in 2025. Note some links on this thread are Amazon affiliate links and other affiliate links, for which this site receives a commission, at no extra cost to you. So if you're looking to buy a wheel that is sold by Amazon...
I am not in US, UK or a EU country and I could not find any of these wheels in local online stores. Largest wheel I could find was 20cm, which is not good for an adult Syrian hamster. Getzoo doesnt ship to my country either. I dont want to order from Amazon either, because I boycott it.
This is the first time I am hearing of the need to paint wooden or cork wheels. What is the reason for it? I found plastikote paint in one website sold at absurd prices and they were all out of stock. I will probably buy from etsy or maybe Aliexpress if I cant find a suitable wheel from nearby pet stores.
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Oh ok. Which country are you in and maybe we can help find something Yes plastikote tends to be expensive outside the uk - I think it's produced in the uk so there will be shipping and import costs added etc. And it's such a tiny pot!
I wonder if exotic nutrition in the US would sell to you? They are the makers of the silent runner wheel and sell it directly themselves.
exoticnutrition.com
Also if you have some links or images of the wheels you've found, maybe you could post those and we can see if they're ok or not. It can be very hard finding good hamster supplies in some countries.
The reason for painting the wood/cork wheels is just to prevent them getting stained with urine and stinky! It gives a wipe clean layer. But it's safe for hamsters.
Yes plastikote tends to be expensive outside the uk - I think it's produced in the uk so there will be shipping and import costs added etc. And it's such a tiny pot!I wonder if exotic nutrition in the US would sell to you? They are the makers of the silent runner wheel and sell it directly themselves.
Silent Runner 12 in (Regular)
Looking for a safe, quiet, and durable exercise wheel for your furry friends? Look no further than Exotic Nutrition's Silent Runner Wheel 12". This innovative wheel is specifically designed for sugar gliders, Syrian hamsters, female rats* and similar-sized animals. The dual-ball bearing...
exoticnutrition.com
Also if you have some links or images of the wheels you've found, maybe you could post those and we can see if they're ok or not. It can be very hard finding good hamster supplies in some countries.
The reason for painting the wood/cork wheels is just to prevent them getting stained with urine and stinky! It gives a wipe clean layer. But it's safe for hamsters.
I live in Turkey. I looked at the exotic nutrition website and it seems they accept credit card payments and my country seems to be selectable as a delivery location. I will probably check it out once my credi/debit card comes in mail.Oh ok. Which country are you in and maybe we can help find something
I wonder if exotic nutrition in the US would sell to you? They are the makers of the silent runner wheel and sell it directly themselves.
Silent Runner 12 in (Regular)
Looking for a safe, quiet, and durable exercise wheel for your furry friends? Look no further than Exotic Nutrition's Silent Runner Wheel 12". This innovative wheel is specifically designed for sugar gliders, Syrian hamsters, female rats* and similar-sized animals. The dual-ball bearing...
Also if you have some links or images of the wheels you've found, maybe you could post those and we can see if they're ok or not. It can be very hard finding good hamster supplies in some countries.
The reason for painting the wood/cork wheels is just to prevent them getting stained with urine and stinky! It gives a wipe clean layer. But it's safe for hamsters.
The specific wheel I was considering was this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/176869...2da4d37f0b36befdf09cbcd&variation0=4657366015
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Just checking it's this one?
If so it, looks fine - although it's very expensive. It also seems to only attach to bars so you wouldn't be able to have it freestanding (unless I've missed something). What cage is it for? It does look a bit overpriced.
If you can get the silent runner you can use it either way - either attached to bars or on it's height-adjustable stand. However the shipping might be slow and expensive.
The only other thing I'd say about a smooth metal wheel like that is it's not that grippy for a hamster to run on. They will still run on it though!
If so it, looks fine - although it's very expensive. It also seems to only attach to bars so you wouldn't be able to have it freestanding (unless I've missed something). What cage is it for? It does look a bit overpriced.
If you can get the silent runner you can use it either way - either attached to bars or on it's height-adjustable stand. However the shipping might be slow and expensive.
The only other thing I'd say about a smooth metal wheel like that is it's not that grippy for a hamster to run on. They will still run on it though!
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The metal wheels are more for degus and chinchillas as they chew literally right through plastic and wood. I think a metal wheel could be heavy and quite noisy. Also attatched to the smaller, finer bars of a hamster cage, might start to damage the cage after a few months of intensive use. Plastic wheels are better for hamsters. Also, as Maz says, the hamster specific wheels are grippier for the hamster's smaller feet. You could use the metal wheel to see what it's like while looking for a hamster specific wheel.
Yes, indeed it is very expensive. The cage I have is a ferplast criceti 100(95x57x50 cm), but I am questioning whether it would fit between the bars, as the cage has very narrow bars. I also have some questions about ordering from abroad, but I am not sure if it would be considered going off topic.
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It’s fine - fire away. I also think the metal wheel would be too heavy for the bars of that cage though. The narrowness should be ok - I’ve squeezed bolts through narrow bars before! Depending how big the bolt is though. Although it is aluminium isn’t it? Which is meant to be light.
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