Exercise wheels are probably a hamster’s favorite toy because they allow them to run for as long as they can which keeps their adrenaline pumping. Once you find the right type, your furball will typically spend a lot of time inside his wheel resulting in increased exposure to dirt, debris, poop, and urine.

This article focuses on how to clean hamster wheels by detailing the step-by-step process for removing dirt, poop, and pee residue which are not only gross but could be potentially harmful by causing health problems for your little buddies.

We also reveal the right cleaning schedule for hamster wheels and the benefits of maintaining the wheels in a sanitized condition. Let’s dive straight in.

How to Clean Hamster Wheels

Soak the hamster wheel in hot soapy water and scrub any stubborn debris with a sponge or old toothbrush. Rinse the wheel in water several times to ensure it is clean before airdrying or sundrying all parts including the running surface before reintroduction into the hamster’s cage.

The cleaning process for hamster wheels is easy and quick. All it takes is about 5 minutes of your time to provide the right sanitation for your little guy. Like most things in life, practice makes perfect and the more you clean, the easier it becomes.

Here’s the step-by-step process for cleaning hamster exercise wheels. Before you start, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to verify none of the steps below goes contrary to their recommendations.

1. Pick up the hamster wheel from the cage when it is idle
2. Shake it immediately to get rid of accumulated debris
3. Soak the wheel in a large container with hot antibacterial soapy water solution or put it under hot running water if that is more preferable
4. After soaking or holding it under hot running water for a few minutes, scrub stubborn stains, grease, and other gross substances with an old toothbrush, sponge, or cotton bud.
5. Natural disinfectants like white or apple acider vinegar can also be a solid option for wheels with significant amounts of pee or poop
6. Rinse the wheel thoroughly in fresh hot water when it is completely clean
7. Airdry or sundry the wheel to eliminate traces of water, soap, or disinfectants
8. Double-check the running surface to verify complete dryness to minimize the risk of slipping accidents when the hamsterr resumes running on the wheel
9. Test the exercise wheel to be sure it is in working order before putting it back in the cage.

Why is My Hamster Wheel Dirty?

Hamster wheels get dirty from pooping and peeing which is one of the common ways pet rodents mark their territories, especially in shared cages. This is their attempt at claiming ownership of the wheel by warning cage mates, not to trespass or risk facing consequences.

Exercise wheels may also get dirty when hamsters feel too lazy to move to other areas of the cage to ease themselves when nature calls. They simply poop and pee inside the wheels and carry on with their normal activity.

Peeing or pooping on the wheels can also be a natural reaction to fear while running on the popular toy. Sometimes, hamster wheels also get dirty from leftover food particles or even traces of cage bedding. (Source)

Benefits of Cleaning Your Hamster Wheel

The average hamster spends considerable amounts of time on its wheels and making sure it stays clean can protect them from many serious infections. Bacteria and other disease-causing organisms thrive in environments with poop and pee so you want to minimize your little guys’ exposure as much as possible.

Hamsters have a strong sense of smell so it is essential that they’re protected from inhaling their poop and pee as much as possible. Failure to keep their wheels clean can lead to respiratory infections that may cause severe discomfort.

Cleaning the hamster wheel regularly ensures the highest standards of health for your pet rodents. Dirty wheels may discourage running which can expose them to stress and other psychological conditions including cage rage.

A clean wheel often acts as a source of happiness for the pet rodent because they’re able to enjoy daily physical activity in the right state of mind.

How Often Should I Clean My Hamster Wheel?

Generally, hamster wheels should be cleaned every 2-3 days depending on how quickly it gets dirty and how much time you have available to invest in that activity. But, the best way to know when to clean is to simply inspect the wheel daily and get to work whenever it looks dirty.

The right cleaning schedule is determined by how often the hamster uses the wheel as well as the design and the rodent’s individual habits. For instance, there are hammies that will never poop or pee on their wheels regardless of the circumstances even if such breeds are rare.

Others may only poop or pee once in a while so the probability of dirt can be very low and you may get away with cleaning the wheel weekly or fortnightly. Your job is to make sure the hamster has access to a clean wheel daily and you cannot afford to neglect that.

How Do You Clean A Silent Runner Wheel?

Remove the Silent wheel from the cage and soak or place it under hot running water to kill off germs and bacteria. A sponge, cotton bud, or scrub may come in handy for getting rid of fecal matter, dirt, or cage bedding to ensure the wheel looks crisp and clean.

Conclusion

Hamster wheels can be cleaned with hot water mixed with or without soap to eliminate dirt, poop, and other unwanted materials. Once the wheel looks clean with no traces of pee or poop, make sure to dry it completely before reintroduction into the cage.

The running surface, in particular, should be completely dried to eliminate the risks of slipping accidents and related physical injuries.

Regular cleaning ensures the hamster always gets to play in a sanitized area with limited exposure to disease-causing organisms. Clean wheels also smell good which can eliminate breathing difficulties and discomfort from exposure to poop and pee.