Hamster toys
The most important "toy" in any hamster's cage is a solid-surfaced exercise wheel of the right size, since hamsters can run several miles in a night and a wheel that is too small forces their back to arch unnaturally, which over time can cause spinal problems. Everything else — tubes, chews, digging material — supports natural behaviour rather than being essential in the way a wheel is.
Wheel size is not a minor detail
Syrian hamsters need a wheel at least 20-25cm in diameter, and dwarf hamsters need at least 15-17cm, so a hamster's back stays flat rather than curved while running. A wheel that is too small is one of the most common and easily avoidable welfare mistakes in hamster keeping, and it is worth checking the diameter before buying rather than trusting the packaging description.
A solid running surface rather than wire rungs is worth paying extra for — wire wheels can trap and injure small feet, particularly in dwarf hamsters.
Tubes and tunnels tap into natural burrowing behaviour
Hamsters are natural burrowers and tunnellers, and connecting tubes between different parts of a cage — a nest area, a foraging area, a wheel — gives them something closer to the network of tunnels they would dig in the wild. Deep bedding for digging into serves the same purpose and most hamsters use it enthusiastically given the chance.
Chew toys matter for the same reason as they do for rabbits: a hamster's teeth grow continuously, and safe wooden chews keep them worn down without the hamster resorting to cage bars.
What to leave out of the cage
Cotton wool or fluffy bedding marketed as nesting material can be dangerous if swallowed or if it wraps around a limb, and is worth avoiding in favour of shredded paper or purpose-made hamster bedding. Anything with small detachable parts is also a genuine risk in a cage this size.
Cheap plastic tunnels with rough seams or sharp edges are another thing worth checking before buying, since a hamster running and turning through one several times a night will find any snag point quickly. Scented wooden chews and brightly dyed accessories are best left on the shelf too — hamsters do not need the fragrance, and dye leaching onto damp bedding is one more thing to avoid rather than a genuine benefit. A cage stocked with fewer, better-checked items generally serves a hamster better than one crowded with everything available.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Adjustable Tortoise Harness and Lead
An adjustable harness and lead set sized for tortoises and turtles, for safe garden adventures.
£7.99
Four Flags Quick Ferret Muzzle — Grooming & Handling Aid
A temporary, reliable muzzle designed specifically for ferrets — useful for grooming, medicating, and routine handling.
£14.99
Hamster Exercise Ball
A clear rolling exercise ball that lets your hamster roam and stay active safely around the home, with ventilation slots and a secure lid. Supplied in a random colour.
£7.99
Rabbit No-Rinse Dry-Cleaning Foam
A no-rinse foam that gently cleans and freshens your rabbit's coat between full washes, no water needed.
£7.99
PawHut 12-Panel Small Animal Playpen for Guinea Pigs, 105cm, White
Twelve 45 x 35cm panels and multi-angle connectors that build a 105 x 105cm open pen at 45cm high, for evening floor time with guinea pigs or hedgehogs.
£35.99
Poultry Nappy Harness for Chickens, Ducks & Geese
A washable fabric nappy harness for house poultry, catching droppings to keep your home clean.
From£7.99
Hanging Cage Hammock for Small Pets
A soft sherpa-lined cage hammock that gives small pets a warm, lofted spot to curl up.
From£8.99
Selective Timothy Hay
UK-grown Timothy hay for rabbits and other small animals, for unlimited daily feeding
£9.99
Small Pet Carrier Shoulder Bag with Bubble Window
A ventilated travel carrier bag for hamsters, guinea pigs and other small pets, with a clear bubble window and breathable mesh panels. The adjustable shoulder strap makes outings and vet trips easy.
£13.99
Selective Naturals Woodland Loops
Dandelion and rosehip flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Orchard Loops
Apple-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Meadow Loops
Pea-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Common questions
- What size wheel does a hamster need?
- A Syrian hamster needs a wheel of at least 20-25cm diameter, and a dwarf hamster at least 15-17cm, so their back stays flat while running rather than curving. Running on a wheel that is too small can cause spinal problems over time, so it is worth checking the exact size rather than assuming any hamster wheel will do.
- Do hamsters need tunnels and tubes?
- Not strictly essential, but they tap into natural burrowing and tunnelling behaviour and most hamsters use them readily. Connecting different areas of a cage with tubes gives a hamster more to explore and is one of the easier ways to improve a basic cage set-up.
- Is fluffy cotton wool bedding safe for hamsters?
- No — fluffy or cotton-wool style nesting material can be swallowed or wrap around a hamster's limbs and is best avoided. Shredded paper or purpose-made paper-based hamster bedding is a safer choice for nesting material.
- How much exercise does a hamster actually need?
- Hamsters are naturally very active overnight and can run several miles on a wheel in a single session, so a correctly sized wheel plus space to explore matters more than any single toy. A cage that is too small to fit a proper wheel is worth upgrading before adding extra toys.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.