Has he gotten bigger? Does he need a diet or bigger wheel?

[NuggetHam]

I think he definitely seems bigger and maybe pudgier. My partner is saying he can't tell. We just weighed him for the first time today. 155.9 grams. He is about 7 months old or so. Syrian. I'm wondering if he needs a wheel upgrade? A diet? Thank you!!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Syrian hamster wheels should be about 12 inches wide for comfort and safety, so a wheel upgrade if his wheel is smaller wouldn't do any harm

 

[Maz]

Hi there, he does look quite large in the wheel But definitely no diets needed. They keep growing up to about 9 months of age sometimes, and some hamsters are larger than others naturally I had one who was huge and weighed 270g. And another who was really small and only weighed 100g initially. 155 grams is low average so he's a healthy weight. They're usually fully grown by 6 months but can keep growing a little bit more up to 9 months.

Is it a 10" wheel he has there? His back looks quite straight on the bottom photo, but a little bit curved on the top photo. The main thing is he would run much better and easier on a slightly larger wheel, and I'd suggest a 12". If it's a niteangel wheel, the 12" is really quite expensive! There are other 12" wheels but then you wouldn't be able to use the pedometer!

I've attached our list of recommended hamster wheels. There isn't a huge choice in 12" wheels though.

Hamster Wheels 2026

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

 

[NuggetHam]

Hi there, he does look quite large in the wheel But definitely no diets needed. They keep growing up to about 9 months of age sometimes, and some hamsters are larger than others naturally I had one who was huge and weighed 270g. And another who was really small and only weighed 100g initially. 155 grams is low average so he's a healthy weight. They're usually fully grown by 6 months but can keep growing a little bit more up to 9 months.

Is it a 10" wheel he has there? His back looks quite straight on the bottom photo, but a little bit curved on the top photo. The main thing is he would run much better and easier on a slightly larger wheel, and I'd suggest a 12". If it's a niteangel wheel, the 12" is really quite expensive! There are other 12" wheels but then you wouldn't be able to use the pedometer!

I've attached our list of recommended hamster wheels. There isn't a huge choice in 12" wheels though.

Hamster Wheels 2026

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

Thank you! The bottom picture is from last night. It's a 10" Niteangel wheel, and I am surprised that his back still seems so straight on it. Thanks for your help!

 

[Maz]

A 10" wheel can be "just about" big enough sometimes but it's harder for them to run in. One of my syrians (who was quite small) had a 10" wheel initially. His back was straight but it looked odd with the gap between his feet. With the larger 12" wheel their feet are permanently on a more level surface - if that makes sense The larger the wheel, the less the curve for their feet to negotiated.

The Swiss say a wheel diameter should be twice the length of the hamster .................... The average syrian hamster is 6" to 7". A 14" wheel would be overkill but many Germans use a 32cm or 33cm wheel! (ie about 13"). So 12" is a good size.

To be honest an 11" wheel suits most Syrian hamsters except the very largest maybe. But 12" might be better.

 

[Maz]

If you didn't want to get the super expensive 12" Niteangel acrylic wheel, Niteangel do do this wood and cork wheel in 11.6" which is a good size However it would then need painting inside with plastikote water based enamel paint, so it was wipe clean.

Niteangel wood and cork wheel

Cheapest option is the 12" silent runner wheel and they are excellent wheels. If you don't mind losing the pedometer .....................

12" silent runner wheel