Best hamster cage accessories
Your pet hamster has the ideal cage, but you still need to fill it with toys and other items to keep it mentally and dentally active.
Hamsters require cage accessories so that they can chew on them to maintain healthy teeth and to pass the time by playing and running around. We provide a list of the top hamster cage add-ons, including wheels, tubes, hammocks, and hideouts.
Because we have firsthand experience with the variety of hamster-related gadgets and gizmos, we have put together a guide to (what we believe to be) the best hamster cage accessories for 2022 and beyond.
Hamster wheels
There should be a wheel in every hamster cage. Hamsters in the wild run short marathons every night, and if given the chance, your pet hamster will do the same. However, there are a few important factors to take into account when choosing the best hamster wheel for your cage:
- Always choose a plastic wheel rather than a metal one. Metal wheels are stronger, but they are more likely to be chewed and frequently come with wire or mesh bars that can be harmful to your hamster’s paws. A good wheel should be non-toxic, solid, and have small grips for your hamster to stand on.
- Make sure you get the correct size wheel for your hamster. It is really important that you buy the appropriate wheel for your hamster’s size. A hamster should always run with a straight spine because running with an arched back can lead to future problems such as spine curvature.
- You should also consider how noisy the wheel is likely to be. Most wheels squeak, but there are now some that claim to be silent, making your evenings much more peaceful while your nocturnal runner is at work.
3 best hamster wheels
Your hamster will be perfectly happy spending their time in their cage, providing their needs for exercise are met. The best way to do this is by providing them with a hamster wheel on which to spin. Here are our top 3 hamster wheel recommendations.
- Love Hamster Wheel – Best budget hamster wheel
We “love” this hamster wheel as it is quiet, non-slip and safe and comes in a variety of sizes (5.5 inch, 6.89 inch, 8.3 inch) and colors (yellow and blue).
It can also be either mounted to the side of your cage or free standing, depending on your preference. Made from high quality, durable, non-toxic materials, it is designed for silent operation. It is also incredibly well-priced.
Pros:
- Value for money
- Quiet
- Roomy
- Non-slip
- Can be mounted or free standing
Cons:
- Difficult to put together
- Kaytee CritterTrail Comfort Wheel – Best clip on hamster wheel
This snap on hamster wheel is worth considering if you want to expand your hamsters living space. Installed outside of the cage via a connectable tube, this space saving wheel has a waste collecting cup so that the environment around it stays clean. Great for night use, it is relatively quiet and is just under 7 inches in size.
Pros:
- Value for money
- External wheel so great space saving cage accessory
- Quiet
- Non-slip
Cons:
- Not the easiest of wheels to clean
- Will not attach to all brands of tube
- Silent Runner Exercise Wheel – Best Silent Hamster Wheel
The Silent Runner has a simple and effective design that is made with a combination of metal and non-toxic plastic. It features a non-slip textured running rack and has no center axle which helps to reduce the risk of spinal injury. Instead, the wheel is semi-enclosed with bean-shaped openings for safety and containment. It is incredibly quiet, plus it can be used as a free-standing wheel or mounted directly to the cage.
Pros:
- Silent
- No centre axel to reduce spinal defects
- Non-slip
- Can be mounted or free standing
Cons:
- More expensive than other hamster wheels
- Difficult to clean out due to its innovative design
Hamster tubes and tunnel accessories
When hamsters live underground, they construct and use elaborate tunnel systems to not only hide, but also to store food, rest, and even socialize. As a result, a healthy hamster habitat should include tubes where your pet can explore and rest.
Tubes and tunnels are extremely versatile, capable of transforming a simple hamster home into a palace. By connecting them, you can increase the square footage of your cage and even create complex mazes inside and outside of your hamster’s cage. Furthermore, changing the layout on a regular basis will help to prevent hamster boredom.
Just keep your hamster’s age and ability in mind before constructing your fortress. A young hamster will be thrilled at the prospect of foraging for food through tunnels, whereas an elderly hamster may prefer a simpler and less strenuous run around. When purchasing a tube, you should also consider the breed, as Syrians require larger tunnels than dwarfs or Roborvoskis.
3 best hamster tubes
Whether you prefer natural materials or plastics, hamster tubes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors and can provide hours of entertainment for your fluffy friend. We’ve compiled a list of the top three best hamster tubes available on Amazon right now.
- Ware Manufacturing Fun Tunnels – Best budget hamster tube
Our hamster Oscar loves this tunnel so much and used to make it his home until we found him the perfect hamster hideout. Made from stain resistant plastic this tube can be bought in a number of different colors and can expand to 30” long.
This means that it can be easily adjusted to fit a variety of cages and is suitable for all breeds. What we particularly like about the accordion design of this tube, is that it enables us to set it in a variety of positions to stop Oscar from becoming bored.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Designed for all breeds of hamster
- Flexible design allows you to adapt it all cages
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Easy for hamsters to chew through (we are currently on our second one)
- KT Kaytee CritterTrail Fun-nels – Best tube for cage expansion
This pack of brightly colored twist and turn tunnels are great as they contain a selection of straight and curved tubes and connectors, allowing you to make whatever shapes you would like.
Universally connectable to any CritterTrail cage, the Bubble Wave tube design features a comfort grip that is safe for your pet’s paws. Tubes can be bought in a variety of sizes and are relatively easy to clean by pulling apart and snapping them back together.
Pros:
- Tubes come in a variety of sizes to suit all breeds of hamster
- Can be used to connect two cages together
- Flexible design means you can change the design each time you clean your hamster out
Cons:
- Only suited for CritterTrail cages
- Takes time to clean tubes
If you really want to get creative with your hamsters habitat, then this 94 piece set is great as it has been created with no specific build in mind. These tubes also come with a rugged inner surface to assist your hamster when climbing.
Connectable and expandable, these tubes can be used as a playground either in the cage or as a tunnel run around when compatible with GNB Pet Hamster Cages. They can even link two cages together.
Pros:
- Countless ways to customize these tubes for hours and hours of fun
- Can be used either inside or outside the cage or to connect two cages together
- Rugged surface to encourage climbing
Cons
- Only compatible with GNB Hamster Cages
- Difficult to clean
Hamster hideout accessories
A hamster hideout is essentially a house where your hamster can go to feel safe or relax. It should be snug enough for them to curl up in and mimic their natural environment.
This is one accessory that we were determined to get just right for our hamster. We were determined to find Oscar a special place where he could cosset himself away from prying eyes and poking fingers, having loved our bed before children.
We spent money after money looking for the perfect hammy hideaway, all of which were rejected by Oscar in favor of his tunnel. Having said that, after much trial, error, and perseverance, we did eventually find him a hamster hideout that he enjoys (as shown below).
3 best hamster hideouts
It is important that your hamster hideout does more than just look cute, as it will most likely be where your hamster spends the majority of its time. It should be simple to clean, made of a safe material (plastic, wood, ceramic, or natural), and the ideal size. Consider Goldilocks and the three bears: not too big, not too small, just right! We’ve included three hamster hideouts that we believe will be “just right” for your hamster.
- Sungrow hamster house with ladder – Best overall hamster hideout
This hamster house comes personally recommended, although I must confess, he isn’t overly bothered by the ladder (and he also bit through the rope) and wouldn’t venture in it when we hung it up. Yes, Oscar really is like Princess and the Pea, but buried in his sawdust he now thinks this hamster hideout offers the best bed. I like this cute coconut shell too as it not only looks nice in his bin cage but is non-toxic, so safe for hamsters (like Oscar) who like to chew.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Easy to clean
- Versatile – can be hung up or buried in sawdust
Cons:
- Rope ladder is easy to chew through
- Kaytee Igloo Hideaway – Best budget hamster hideout
This hamster house comes personally recommended, although I must confess, he isn’t overly bothered by the ladder (and he also bit through the rope) and wouldn’t venture in it when we hung it up. Yes, Oscar really is like Princess and the Pea, but buried in his sawdust he now thinks this hamster hideout offers the best bed. I like this cute coconut shell too as it not only looks nice in his bin cage but is non-toxic, so safe for hamsters (like Oscar) who like to chew.
Pros:
- Budget friendly
- Easy to clean
- Available in different sizes
Cons:
- Unable to select a color when ordering online
- Beaks and Paws Hamster Hideaway – Best for exploration
Your home is your castle and this hamster home really is a castle! This hideout is made from untreated wood and features two separate floors leading to eight individual bedrooms – one for each day of the week! And once your hamster has negotiated the steps outside and the interior ladder, they will be well ready for a rest. Easy to split apart, this hamster hideaway can be rebuilt and customized for your hamster needs.
Pros:
- Customizable
- Plenty of space for your hamster to make a home
- Made from untreated wood
- Good for all breeds of hamster
Cons:
- Expensive
- Difficult to clean
Hamster climbing frame accessories
You probably already know that hamsters like to climb if you have a wire cage. Oscar loves to leap onto his wheel in our trash can cage and then swing off the mesh lid to land securely on all four paws on the floor.
This is because hamsters are skilled mountaineers because they must forage for food in the wild. Place small climbing frames, bridges, hammocks, ropes, or ladders for them to climb over in their cage to mimic this behavior.
3 best hamster climbing frames
Although a wheel offers your furry friend a place to stretch their legs, hamster climbing frames and toy puzzles are not only good for exercise but offer mental stimulation.
There are loads of different types available to buy from ladders to suspension bridges and even hamster gyms. You can also mix these up with some simple D-I-Y solutions such as toilet rolls and popsicle sticks. Below is our recommendation for three very different types of hamster climbing frames.
- PIVBY hamster ladder bridge – Best versatile hamster climbing frame
Sometimes you don’t need all the bells and whistles in order for life to be fun. I love this bendable, brightly colored wooden bridge as it is so versatile it can be a climbing frame one day, a ladder the next and even a hammock. This type of toy is great for your hamsters balancing skills and encourages them to explore and exercise. And, if your hamster adores it, you could even try making one yourself using non-toxic glue and some wooden sticks.
Pros:
- Budget friendly
- Suitable for both chewing and climbing
- Can bend into a variety of different shapes and apparatus
Cons:
- Could easily be replicated at home
- Niteangel wooden interactive toy ball – Best climbing frame for dental and mental stimulation
What I like about this wooden climbing frame is that it is designed in a manner that encourages your hamster to use its imagination. Shaped liked an animal ball toy, they can climb through it, over it, roll it or chew it, as it is made from non-toxic natural wood. You can even hide food in it to nurture your hamsters foraging instincts.
Pros:
- Even though it is chewable it is incredibly durable
- Made from non-toxic wood
- Great for stimulating your hamster mentally
- Well-priced
Cons:
- It has rough edges which could make it uncomfortable for your hamster to climb through
- Kaytee Puzzle Playground – Best value for money climbing frame
There are many brightly colored hamster toys on the market, but what is great about this one is that it is made up of many different intricate parts. This means that it can be dismantled and reassembled to make something different – each and every time. This playground is great for stimulating and challenging a hamsters mind as well as doubling as a hamster hideout – in effect, giving you two cage accessories for the price of one!
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Expandable and collapsible for hours of fun
- Made from non-toxic plastic
- Suitable for all breeds of hamster
Cons:
- Plastic is thin so prone to shattering
- Difficult to clean
Conclusion
Imagine you’re a hamster who has to live in the same place every day for the rest of your life! Wouldn’t you like to have some cool cage accessories to play with at night, such as a spinning wheel, a bendable tube, and an insane climbing frame? And when the rest of your house wakes up in the morning, wouldn’t you like somewhere safe to scamper, like a cozy hamster hideaway?
In order to ensure that our hamsters health and wellbeing needs are being met there are a variety of toys and accessories available to buy. But don’t be lured in by the bright packaging or sales messaging, here we’ve provided honest reviews of the best hamster cage accessories.
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on food, toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
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