Whatever type of pet you own, ensuring that they get enough exercise on a regular basis is vital for their long-term health. And when you have a creature that needs to be caged a lot of the time like a hedgehog, this is even more important. A useful product that allows your little pet to get the exercise they require is a hedgehog wheel – and there are certainly plenty of different options out there. Here, we will look at some of them in more detail, as well as analyzing their key features.
The Best Hedgehog Wheel
One of the most important factors that your need to consider when your little hedgehog is running in their wheel is that they are safe, and this is assured by the axel-free design that eliminates the need for a center bar, which can be an area where fur and tails get tangled, amongst other injuries. Thanks to the dual ball bearing system, the operation volume is very quiet, which helps it to not be too irritating to you as squeaky wheels are a lot less likely!
To keep the hedgehog wheel clean, you can completely disassemble it and give it a deep clean. There are no hidden parts that can contain any unpleasant surprises! This is a product that is specifically designed for hedgehogs and similar creatures who need to get plenty of exercise. The closed off design helps to ensure that your hedgehog stays in place while they are using their wheel. Plus, the metal stand allows for some give, which helps to protect joints from damage when running.
Closed off design keeps hedgehog contained
High-quality materials used in manufacture
Metal stand has ‘give’ for joint protection
Innovative dual-bearing technology
- Brand: Exotic Nutrition
- Model: 43673
- Weight: 3.2 pounds
Next, we have this very stylish pet wheel, which boasts high quality and the fact that it is built to last. It is made from all metal and wood, and there are no plastic parts that are at risk of getting chewed up. The open wheel design allows for a wide running surface. The ball bearings provide the center point of the wheel, ensuring that it continues to run properly, but there are replacements available if they are required.
You can easily mount this wheel to your hedgehog’s cage using the hardware that is supplied, giving them the opportunity to exercise while they are inside. A photo-illustrated instruction book provides you with the information that you need about installing it successfully.
Ultra-heavy duty designed to stand the test of time
Safe open wheel design
Mounts to all wire cages
Provides wide running surface
- Brand: Quality Cage Crafters
- Weight: 8.2 pounds
The best value option on our list is this one, which can either be free standing or attached to a wire cage depending on what is required by your little critter. As well as providing a safe and stable running surface, the design is what is known as ‘tail safe’, which ensures that your pet’s most delicate parts are going to get tangled up.
There are several different sizes available, so make sure that you select the one that is best suited to your spiky friend. Every wheel comes with its own heavy-duty wire stand and two-way attachment clip. There are several different sizes available, so you can choose the one that best suits your little spiky friend.
Heavy-duty wire stand
Two-way attachment clip
Can be free standing or attached to wire cage
Available in small, large, and giant sizes
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 100079363
- Weight: 8 ounces
Next on the list, we have another hedgehog wheel which can either be used freestanding or attached to a wire cage. It is suitable for a range of small animals and is highly useful in encouraging them to get the exercise they need. There are several different assorted colors available, so you can adapt the style of your hedgehog’s enclosure as you like.
This one measures 8.5 inches in diameter, and as always you should make sure that you measure your pet before purchase. Offering quiet operation, the design is what is known as ‘tail-safe’ to prevent any part of your hedgehog getting tangled up. And there is a two-way attachment clip, which means that you can use it in a couple of different ways.
Can be free standing or attached to a wire cage
Safe and solid running surface
Comes with heavy-duty wire stand
8.5 inches in diameter
- Brand: Mojetto
- Model: SSR61384-6_3900
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
This clear pet ball is 10 inches in height with ribs inside that provide better grip ability to your hedgehog. It is ideal for a host of small animals including guinea pigs and chinchillas, as well as hedgehogs. Made of shatter-resistant plastic, you can let your little spiky friend roll around outside their cage without worrying.
Every now and again, it is nice to allow your hedgehog to roam free outside of their enclosure, and this ball allows them to do this. And since it is clear, it allows for a good level of visibility too.
High visibility
Roaming freedom while being confined
Suitable for hedgehogs, rats, chinchillas etc
Enjoyable to watch
- Brand: Lee’s
- Model: 20216
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
One of the main problems that people have with hedgehog wheels is that they can very noisy, but this one is designed to specifically address this problem with its quiet spinning operation. The 12-inch diameter is perfect for smaller animals like hedgehogs.
This wheel is designed to work in two ways – free standing or attached directly to wire cages. The running surface features high-quality plastic that is comfortable for your hedgehog’s feet, making them more likely to want to use it. There are three sizes available: mini, regular, and giant.
Silent spinning exercise wheel
12-inch diameter size
Features an enclosed spinner hub
Can be used free standing or attached directly to a wire cage
- Brand: Kaytee
- Model: 100522353
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
When your pet has different exercising options, they have the option of working out as they like. This one can either work directly on its stand or can be screwed onto a wire cage. All of the materials used including the wood are made of materials that are pet safe.
Designed to not emit any noise, your hedgehog can use it without becoming a nuisance. The other advantage of the materials is that they are easy to clean and they are also resistant to strong odors. Different colors are available including blue, green, multi-colored, and pink.
Works on a stand or can be screwed into a wire cage
Made of wood and other pet-safe materials
Easy to clean and odor-resistant
100% silent operation
- Brand: Petzilla
- Model: PHW-1
- Weight: 1 pounds
Best Hedgehog Wheels Buying Guide
What to Consider When Buying a Hedgehog Wheel
There are a few things to consider when buying a hedgehog running wheel which we are going to discuss in the following section. These points can help in making your mind up between the different options listed above.
- Quiet Operation
If your hedgehog is going to run on their wheel a lot of the time, it can certainly get noisy. And this may have the effect of scaring them away from it and annoying everyone in your household! But if you choose a wheel with a quiet operation volume, this solves this problem.
- Size
The size of the wheel is obviously essential in ensuring that your hedgehog has enough room to comfortably run on it. Often, there are different sizes available, so you need to pick the one that best suits your hedgehog. Take some rough measurements using a tape measure and you can get a better idea of which one is going to be suitable. Make sure to take the height as well as the width into account to ensure that all elements are suitable.
- Ease of Cleaning
When you choose a wheel that is easy to clean, this makes your life a lot simpler. Some of the options above have to be disassembled for cleaning, whereas others can simply be put in the dishwasher. Check the cleaning instructions before exposing the wheel to anything that could be potentially damaging. You should get into the habit of cleaning the wheel for the health of your hedgehog, as well as for your own hygiene if it is going to be played on throughout the house.
- Standalone or Cage Mounted
There are some hedgehog wheels which are designed for your pet’s use all over the home. Essentially, they get inside and roam around as they like. There are others that are specifically made to be mounted inside their cage, allowing your pet to get in whenever they like. And there are others still which offer either one of the above options, which gives you the most freedom in giving your hedgehog the playing environment that you like.
- Colors
While it may not play as important a role as some of the practice features that we have discussed above, you still want the colors and style of the wheel to match your own preferences so that it looks good in your home and/or the hedgehog enclosure. There is no point in spending money on something that you think looks ugly.
- Comfort
The wheel needs to be comfortable for your hedgehog to use or they are more likely to avoid it or sustain an injury of some variety. Therefore, you should look for features that offer comfort such as flexible materials that have a degree of ‘give’ in them.
- Durability
Whenever you are buying anything for your hedgehog, you want it to be durable to ensure that it is not going to fall apart after a limited number of uses and you are going to have to purchase a replacement before you know it.
- Safety
Your hedgehog’s safety is paramount so choose a product that comes from a reputable source with non-toxic and safe materials. Also, this comes linked to the issue of durability in ensuring that it is not going to become damaged easily.
- Shape
There are several different shape options when it comes to hedgehog wheels including saucer shape, spherical, and the classic wheel shape. Ultimately, your choice should come down to your living environment, and your hamster’s own personal preferences in the way that they like to exercise.
- Price
While price isn’t always an indication of quality, you want to get the best value for money, so make sure that you buy a quality hedgehog exercise wheel that is within your budget. If you buy something cheap, you may end up spending more in the long run when you have to get a replacement.
Our Top Product
The number one product on the list is this silent hedgehog wheel, which features an axel-free design that eliminates the center bar that many believe can cause a risk of fur or tail entanglement. The innovative dual ball-bearing system allows the wheel to spin in a near silent manner. You can completely disassemble the wheel when you need to clean it, which is important for your pet’s hygiene. At 12-inches wide, it is suitable for the majority of hedgehogs and similar creatures.
Sources:
- Hedgehog Day: 8 Things to Know About These Prickly Creatures, VetStreet
- Rick Axelson, DVM, Hedgehogs – Owning, VCA
