- The Best Toy For Hamster
- 1. Kaytee Comfort Wheel
- 2. ZALALOVA Hamster Chew Toys
- 3. BWOGUE Hideout Hamster House
- 4. Kaytee Igloo Hideaway
- 5. Amakunft Small Animals C&C Cage Tent
- 6. Rosewood Pet Activity Assault Hamster Toy
- 7. PIXNOR Hamster Winter Cage
- 8. WINOMO Hammock Hamster Hanging Toy
- 9. Niteangel Wooden Ladder Bridge
- 10. Niteangel Natural Living Tunnel System
Hamsters are inquisitive little fellas, and we love them for it. However, due to their nocturnal nature, it's important that they have a wide assortment of toys for them to play with when you're off in dream land. Not only will a variety of toys keep their teeth neatly trimmed and prevent them from becoming bored, your young hamster's brain development actually relies on mental stimulation to remain healthy.
So, what toys for hamsters will encourage them to play all night long? We've compiled an assortment of ten of our favorite hamster toys – ranging from chew toys to cage climbers – that will keep your little rugrat mentally stimulated and coming back for more.
The Best Toy For Hamster
1. Kaytee Comfort Wheel
Key Features
Quietly operates in the background
Installs easily or attaches to any wire cage
Promotes healthy activity through creating a solid running space for your hamster
Wheel design is ‘tail safe’
We thought we’d commence our product review with a bang by presenting Kaytee’s Comfort Wheel. Suitable for any cage due to its ability to be used either free-standing or clipped directly to cage wire, its 8.5″ diameter allows your hamster to hit their exercise requirements with no lasting damage to their backs on account of this cage’s large size.
For us humans, Kaytee finally presents a wheel that will keep hamsters entertained and alleviate the possibility of us being woken up in the night by its incessant spinning noise – all hamster lovers have lived through this reality! If the wheel starts to become louder over time, to ensure it continues to quietly operate, all you’ve got to do is put a few drops of vegetable oil on the wheel hub. Let’s face it; this design is a win-win for you and your energetic hamster!
2. ZALALOVA Hamster Chew Toys
Key Features
Diverse ten-pack of wooden chew toys include watermelon balls, seesaw, and climbing latter
All toys are MSDS approved
Durable motor tools promote healthy dental care
Chew toys are carefully sculpted to guarantee smooth corners, keeping your pet safe
With a vast selection of ten wooden chew toys at your disposal, your hamster will never be bored again. Among the favorites include the bell swing, climbing ladder, and watermelon balls – all perfectly designed to show your hamster a good time. Each toy is designed to withstand chewing and simultaneously keep your hamster’s molars in top condition.
It’s important to Zalalova that hamsters stay safe while playing. As a result, the company strictly control every part of the manufacturing process to assure your hamster remains safe and healthy during playtime and afterwards. From sourcing high quality, natural, and non-toxic wood to ensuring this wood is naturally dried in the sun to reduce its moisture content, the health of your pet remains the company’s first priority over money and time.
3. BWOGUE Hideout Hamster House
Key Features
Wooden hub comes fully assembled
Included feeding trough can be folded up to save more space for playtime
Natural wood boasting no sharp corners is safe for small pets
Super cute and a conversation starter for visitors!
Boasting two floors for your hamster to explore, Bwogue’s all-natural wooden house provides the perfect environment for a hamster to partake in nesting activities. Filled with several nooks and crannies for your pet to discover, one section of the house adored by hamsters is the platform that tiny friends loved to sit on to overlook their kingdom.
One particularly innovative design feature is the feeding trough’s ability to be folded up, thereby providing more space for your little rugrat to roam. Well-made and sturdy, this hideout is an adorable accessory to improve your hamster’s living space.
4. Kaytee Igloo Hideaway
Key Features
Designed to develop hamsters’ natural nesting instincts
Durable plastic used to create igloo is stain-resistant
A place your pet can feel safe to rest comfortably, and where they can be checked on by you without being disturbed
Company offers a wide range of hideout sizes and colors
Kaytee is back again; but this time, they’re here to show off their igloo hideaway. A cute addition to any habitat, this nest is designed to provide hamsters with a comfortable nesting place that they can spread out in and practice their natural instincts.
The beauty of owning Kaytee’s Igloo Hideaway is that the durable plastic body is also translucent. This innovative feature allows you to stop by your hamster’s cage in the morning to check on them as they sleep. Your hamster won’t be grumpy as they’ll get to enjoy their shuteye time without their human disturbing their beauty sleep, and you’ll receive peace of mind knowing that they’re safe.
5. Amakunft Small Animals C&C Cage Tent
Key Features
Available in many different colors, including bright red, blue, and pink
Transparent design allows you to watch over your pets while they play
Able to be used indoors or outdoors
Breathable fabric that comprises the cage tent is 90% waterproof
Suitable for all kinds of small animals, Amakunft’s Cage Tent provides a well-ventilated and transparent place for pets and owners to interact. It’s perfect for spoiled small pets who have so many toys that their cage can no longer fit all of them!
The design is 90% waterproof, thereby preventing urine leaks from staining the indoor carpet, as well as allows pet owners to take their furry friends outside to play safely and securely in the fresh air. What’s more, if you have any ideas of how this product could be further developed, contact the company; they love to hear from their customers. So much so that Amakunft added a handle for hanging the cage tent when folded up, inspired by a customer request.
6. Rosewood Pet Activity Assault Hamster Toy
Key Features
Assault course made from smooth, pet-safe wood
Included pet-safe glue ensures a easy set-up process
Five wooden lines create a wonderful activity toy
Stimulating activity promotes brain development
It’s no wonder that Rosewood Pet’s Activity Assault Course has been dubbed as our premium pick of this buying guide: just look at the sheer amount of playing options it offers! Cleverly nicknamed by the brand as the ‘boredom breaker’, the climbing opportunities are endless with this exercise toy. Featuring five wooden lines for your hamster to climb on, it will be a physical and mental challenge to reach the top.
Once they’ve secured victory, it’s time for them to venture back down the ladders and check out the swinging log below. Whether they wish to swing and chew, that’s up to them: the wood toy is pet-safe for hamsters to carry out this natural instinct. There’s no doubt about it; this boredom breaker will certainly keep your little hamster entertained.
7. PIXNOR Hamster Winter Cage
Key Features
Can be cleaned easily on a gentle wash cycle
Replaceable pad keeps plush hammock fresh
Provides a cozy place for a small animal to rest up
Your hamster will love playing with its ears!
Never have we reviewed such an adorable product. Pixnor’s beautiful hanging hamster bed simply oozes comfort and cuteness. From the replaceable pad that keeps the hammock smelling fresh to the plush material its made from, it makes for a wonderful hideout for your fluff ball to snuggle up in the corner of their hamster cage and feel secure.
Although this hanging hamster bed is too small to be classified among suitable syrian hamster toys, the choice of sizes on offer allow the owner to make the best decision based on the shape of their pet. Our only concern is that the company don’t seem to offer a man-size version!
8. WINOMO Hammock Hamster Hanging Toy
Key Features
Made of comfortable and warm fabric
Four included clip chains are anti-rust and corrosion resistant
Huge size of bed for an affordable price
Easy to clean in the wash
Winomo’s Pet Hamster Hammock provides a comfy, warm place for your hamster to snuggle down after a busy day of play. Its roomy size places this hanging hamster hammock amongst the best pet hamster toys making it the ideal nesting place for a syrian hamster.
Winomo completely understand that if an owner is even going to consider hanging their beloved hamster from a height, the mechanisms that achieve this must be secure. That’s why the four included clip chains are made from anti-rust and corrosion resistant materials and attach firmly to the cage. And if you’re still not keen about hanging this hammock, it still makes for a snug sleeping space on the floor of their cage too.
9. Niteangel Wooden Ladder Bridge
Key Features
Materials that make ladder bridge are chewable, keeping hamsters’ incisor teeth trimmed
Held together by two durable wires
Able to operate as an additional hiding space in a cage
Functional as a ramp to connect different areas of a cage
Ideal for making your hamster’s cage more connected, Niteangel’s ladder bridge comprises a log bridge, fence, and bed space all in one. If you’re one to worry about your hamster’s dental health, the chewable natural wood sticks that this bridge is made from allows hamsters to safely trim down their incisor teeth.
The best idea that product creators over at Niteangel had was to make this wooden bridge malleable, thereby extending the places in their cage hamsters can explore. Once the metal has been bent, it securely holds its position so your hamster can feel safe climbing to other hidey-holes in their cage.
10. Niteangel Natural Living Tunnel System
Key Features
Natural wood tunnel system offers many exploratory opportunities
Animal house keeps pet in healthy condition
Arrives well-packaged without any dents
Two storey construction renders extensive design suitable for multiple hamsters to play on at once
Ever considered buying your hamster an actual castle so they can live their life like the king or queen they are? Niteangel’s Natural Living Tunnel System is the next best thing. Its massive two-storey design allows for many adventures that will tire hamsters out each night.
Although putting together such a complexed tunnel system may appear complicated, assembling only takes a matter of minutes in reality. In fact, this adaptable hamster house toy could even be split up into separate wood structures if you wished to turn your hamster’s entire cage into a hamster hideout heaven.
Best Toy For Hamster Buying Guide & FAQ
Why Hamsters Need Toys
With only an average lifespan of three years, every day with our pet hamster counts. Not only does playtime allow for bonding time with your furball, but mental stimulation is also necessary for brain development.
A study conducted by the University of Tennessee about the brain development of young hamsters when barred from playing with each other found that as adults, hamsters deprived of playtime were more prone to the effects of an acute social stressor.
Similarly, consecutive analyses of the same dataset established that hamsters who played as juveniles were less aggressive than their counterparts.
Both conclusions weren't merely deduced from observation; the dendrites of neurons (dendrites being the pathways that communicate with other cells, resembling a tree-like structure) in the rodent prefrontal cortex were altered from a lack of play. Therefore, buy your hamster toys to ensure their development resembles that of a happy and healthy rodent.
Things to Consider When Buying Toys For Hamsters
Due to the vast number of safety and design perks and flaws that must be considered before purchasing a new toy for your fluff ball, we recommend asking yourself these three questions below to ensure your hamster's new toy is a product that will bring much joy for many years to come.
Is This Toy Made of Natural Wood?
As hamsters love nothing more than to chew every toy that comes into their path, why not buy them one designed for this very purpose?
Toys made from apple or pear wood are favored, whereas deadwood and cedar are not due to the potential that they carry parasites or may cause a respiratory upset. Likewise, although it may be tempting to buy colorful wood that would brighten up your hamster's cage, the toxic chemicals could be lethal if consumed.
Let's face it; a hamster doesn't care if its toys look aesthetically pleasing. All they care about is if their new toy will entertain them and allow them to curb their desire to chew.
Will it Fit into My Hamster's Cage?
Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning that letting them out to play around your house at night could be dangerous without you supervising. Therefore, check the product dimensions of the item before attempting to stuff it into a hamster cage.
Does the Toy Contain any Sharp Corners?
Commendable hamster toys always have polished edges so your hamster doesn't receive any cuts and scrapes. The same goes for malleable wooden ladders that maintain their shape due to flexible metal wires. Ensure no wire ends stick out to keep your hamster safe before placing their new toy inside their cage.
Related Post: Hamster Cages
Our Top Pick - Kaytee's Comfort Wheel
Out of all the diverse and stimulating hamster toys flaunted in our buying guide, Kaytee's Comfort Wheel walks away with our prestigious top pick title. This toy epitomizes what a hamster's playtime should contain – plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. The sturdy, 'tail safe' running surface provides a safe place for your hamster to have unsupervised fun. The perfect toy for both dwarf and syrian hamsters, it's an impressive addition to any hamster cage.
FAQs:
Q: When is the right time to play with a hamster?
Depending on when you're free, either play with your hamster at night or early in the morning. As hamsters are nocturnal, scheduling a play session for midday will most likely result in you being greeted by a very grumpy fluff ball.
However, since the majority of hamsters wake up between 7-9 pm, playing together when they awake is positive for you both: your hamster will start their day off on the right foot and you'll go to bed with a smile on your face.
Q: What kind of toys do hamsters like to play with?
- Exercise toys: Picture a hamster. We guarantee the image that popped into your head was of a quintessential Syrian hamster happily running around their exercise wheel, did it not?
Unlike several stereotypical images circling around the pet industry, the amount that hamsters are believed to love these types of toys isn't a misconception. Hamsters love to run and a wheel encourages them to exercise.
However, many small exercise wheels are detrimental to a hamster's back, as they force pets to arch their backs as they run.
Similarly, investing in an exercise ball is a great way for your hamster to achieve their recommended amount of exercise. However, don't force your hamster to play with this toy if they appear uninterested; the RSPCA claims that exercise balls restrict a hamster's access to resources such as water and bedding, their inability to perform natural behaviors may cause them to feel considerable amounts of stress.
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Climbing toys: Hamster climbing toys provide the perfect playground for your hamster. Dwarf hamsters, in particular, adore this kind of toy on account of the climbing mimicking the way in which their ancestors scrambled through tunnels and vegetation to acquire food.
Related Post: Hamster Food
Q: How many toys should a hamster have?
To ensure your hamster isn't bored, what you need to be concentrating on isn't the number of toys you have for your hamster, but how often do you alternate their toys.
All hamsters will become bored of playing with the same toys every night – even their beloved wheel – so offering them a change of pace by throwing a new toy into the mix every so often is good for them.