How to Walk Your Hamster
Choose a safe, snug harness., Opt for a lightweight cord or leash., Favor indoor walks., Walk your hamster slowly., Do not abuse your hamster., Use treats to motivate your hamster., Keep walks short.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose a safe
There are plenty of small animal harnesses available at your local pet store or online.
It may be worth visiting the store first to familiarize yourself with the different options and sizes that are available.
You’ll likely need the smallest harness you can find, as animals the size of hamsters are not commonly walked.Go with a harness that fits snugly, without impeding the hamster's breathing or movement.
Velcro is the best type of clasping mechanism.
Velcro is secure enough to contain even the strongest of hamsters and is much safer than buckles or other clasping mechanisms.
Never use a collar on a hamster. -
Step 2: snug harness.
Most leashes that are made for walking a pet are dangerously heavy for use with hamsters.
Many also have heavy clasps at the end that will also endanger your hamster.
Unless you can find an extremely light leash with a simple, light clasp, opt for a simple cord instead.
Para/Military cord or “paracord” is perfect, as its light and strong.Simply tie the cord to your hamster’s harness.
Never tie a cord or anything else directly around your hamster’s neck. , Walks outside will vastly increase the risks your hamster faces.
Other people’s pets and many types of birds will likely attempt to kill your hamster.
Further, since hamsters are so small and fragile, they could easily be accidentally injured by someone who doesn’t see it.The best place to walk your hamster is in a sparsely populated, well-confined area, like a hallway.
If you do walk them outdoors, stay away from areas where other pets might be walked, such as sidewalks.
A lap around your yard is probably safest and will be quite the adventure for your hamster. , Your hamster’s walking pace is much, much slower than your own.
While hamsters can quickly dart around for short distances, it will not be able to keep a steady pace with you at your regular walking speed.
According, walk very slowly beside your hamster.
Moving too quickly also increases the chances that you will accidently injure your hamster., Hamsters are extremely light creatures.
Never jerk, yank, or pull too heavily on the leash.
Do not attempt to drag your hamster along if they don’t want to proceed with a walk.
Finally, do not swing the hamster around in its harness.
Though it looks fun, this terrifying for your hamster and risks breaking its neck and back., While formal training is an unproven practice in hamster rearing, treats can definitely help keep your hamster walking.
Positively reinforce the behavior you want the hamster to continue by giving them treats.
This will let them know they should keep walking, for instance.Opt for healthy treats.
Favor celery, carrots, apples, or broccoli.
Avoid pitted or citrus fruits and spinach.
Do not feed your hamster more than a bouncy-ball-sized portion of greens per day. , Think about the size of a hamster step versus one of your own steps.
They’re taking dozens of steps for each step you take! Accordingly, keep walks short.
Further, let your hamster rest whenever they wish to stop walking.
If they simple stop, conclude the walk by picking up your hamster and returning them to their enclosure.Bring your hamster’s water bottle with you on walks.
Make it available to them whenever they stop by holding it for them to drink from.
While wild hamsters get most of their water from fruits and veggies, your hamster is likely used to drinking from a bottle. -
Step 3: Opt for a lightweight cord or leash.
-
Step 4: Favor indoor walks.
-
Step 5: Walk your hamster slowly.
-
Step 6: Do not abuse your hamster.
-
Step 7: Use treats to motivate your hamster.
-
Step 8: Keep walks short.
Detailed Guide
There are plenty of small animal harnesses available at your local pet store or online.
It may be worth visiting the store first to familiarize yourself with the different options and sizes that are available.
You’ll likely need the smallest harness you can find, as animals the size of hamsters are not commonly walked.Go with a harness that fits snugly, without impeding the hamster's breathing or movement.
Velcro is the best type of clasping mechanism.
Velcro is secure enough to contain even the strongest of hamsters and is much safer than buckles or other clasping mechanisms.
Never use a collar on a hamster.
Most leashes that are made for walking a pet are dangerously heavy for use with hamsters.
Many also have heavy clasps at the end that will also endanger your hamster.
Unless you can find an extremely light leash with a simple, light clasp, opt for a simple cord instead.
Para/Military cord or “paracord” is perfect, as its light and strong.Simply tie the cord to your hamster’s harness.
Never tie a cord or anything else directly around your hamster’s neck. , Walks outside will vastly increase the risks your hamster faces.
Other people’s pets and many types of birds will likely attempt to kill your hamster.
Further, since hamsters are so small and fragile, they could easily be accidentally injured by someone who doesn’t see it.The best place to walk your hamster is in a sparsely populated, well-confined area, like a hallway.
If you do walk them outdoors, stay away from areas where other pets might be walked, such as sidewalks.
A lap around your yard is probably safest and will be quite the adventure for your hamster. , Your hamster’s walking pace is much, much slower than your own.
While hamsters can quickly dart around for short distances, it will not be able to keep a steady pace with you at your regular walking speed.
According, walk very slowly beside your hamster.
Moving too quickly also increases the chances that you will accidently injure your hamster., Hamsters are extremely light creatures.
Never jerk, yank, or pull too heavily on the leash.
Do not attempt to drag your hamster along if they don’t want to proceed with a walk.
Finally, do not swing the hamster around in its harness.
Though it looks fun, this terrifying for your hamster and risks breaking its neck and back., While formal training is an unproven practice in hamster rearing, treats can definitely help keep your hamster walking.
Positively reinforce the behavior you want the hamster to continue by giving them treats.
This will let them know they should keep walking, for instance.Opt for healthy treats.
Favor celery, carrots, apples, or broccoli.
Avoid pitted or citrus fruits and spinach.
Do not feed your hamster more than a bouncy-ball-sized portion of greens per day. , Think about the size of a hamster step versus one of your own steps.
They’re taking dozens of steps for each step you take! Accordingly, keep walks short.
Further, let your hamster rest whenever they wish to stop walking.
If they simple stop, conclude the walk by picking up your hamster and returning them to their enclosure.Bring your hamster’s water bottle with you on walks.
Make it available to them whenever they stop by holding it for them to drink from.
While wild hamsters get most of their water from fruits and veggies, your hamster is likely used to drinking from a bottle.
About the Author
Nicholas Richardson
Committed to making DIY projects accessible and understandable for everyone.
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