Help on hamster wheel please!

[hemmiehamster]

Hello so I am a brand new owner of a hamster with zero experience and I'm worried this is too small of a wheel for my hamster, I'm not sure exactly how old the hamster is but the wheel is 6 inches. Can you tell me if this is too small for her?

[Thin Lizzy]

It's a bit on the small side, if a hamster has to arch his back then it's too small.

Welcome to HC!
What's your hammie called?

[cypher]

Hi & welcome hemmiehamster

You're right to be concerned, that wheel really is way too small, most people use something closer to 10 or 12" for syrians.

[POLAR WHITES]

Hi and welcome, the wheel is too small as you can see your hamster back arching, this can lead to back problems, the wheel needs to be large enough so the hamsters back is straight when in use, there are many great posts in here about the right wheels,

[BrainGirl]

I guess congratulations are in order on your first hamster? You said you have zero experience but you've come to the right place to change all that

Do you know if your hamster is male or female? Have you named him/her yet? Looking forward to hearing more!

[NiceCrocs]

Definitely too small, her back is arching rather badly. For a syrian I always suggest an 11 inch wheel. Some can use an 8 inch with no problem but you never know how big the hamster will grow to be

[SinNyx]

I second what the others say. A Syrian needs a wheel of at least 8 inches, larger Syrians will need 11/12 inches. Unfortunately, this may mean you might have to get a new cage as well to fit it in.

The RSPCA minimum cage size for hamsters is 75x50cm of unbroken space (no levels count towards this), this is followed by Wood Green as well (80x50cm) and other rescues.

[hemmiehamster]

Thanks for all your responses, I've went ahead and already purchased an 8.5 inch wheel for her. When she grows bigger I'll be sure to increase her wheel size as well as her cage!