Hamsters are perfect pets for people who don’t want to commit to a pet for more than 3-4 years. To thrive, you have to mimic the environment that they are used to living in. One of the most essential components of a healthy hamster living space is tunnels.
Ever wonder why hamsters love tunnels so much? Because back in the wild, hamsters are viewed as prey. For them to safely move around and collect food is to build an underground tunnel. This instinct is still engrained into a domesticated hamster’s mind.
Tunnels and tubes are some of the best ways to keep your hamster busy and active. With that being said, you must look for tunnels that would best fit your hamster and the cage. This article will feature the best large hamster tunnels. Before we proceed to our recommended products, let’s first examine the characteristics of a great tunnel for hamsters.
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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING hamster TUNNELS (OR MAKING ONE)
Tunnels are essential for hamsters because it connects their network of food chamber and sleeping area. But for domesticated hamsters, tunnels keep them active and burn extra energy. But before buying or creating tunnels for your hamster, make sure that you take these into consideration first because if not, the tunnel that you purchased or made might go to waste.
Mind the size
Most tunnels are too small for Syrian hamsters but just enough for Dwarf and Chinese. That’s why you have to buy tunnels that are pretty bigger if you have a Syrian hamster. The best large hamster tunnels should be big enough for Syrian, Dwarf, and Chinese.
Dwarf or Chinese: Hamster tunnels that are 1.6 inches (4 cm) are perfect for dwarf and Chinese hamsters.
Syrian: You should have a minimum diameter of 2.36 in (6 cm) if it’s a young Syrian hamster and 2.5 in (6.5 cm), which is equivalent to 6.5 centimetres if they are mature Syrian hamsters. Just get the big one, so you don’t need to waste any money.
NOTE: All sizes are in diameter
No fabric
We don’t recommend using fabric material for tunnels because the strands might catch your hamster’s nails, resulting in injury. Also, since hamsters love to chew on everything they claw on, they might accidentally eat the fabric and choke from it.
Clean often
Don’t forget to regularly clean your furry friend’s tunnel, especially if your hamster is still six months or younger. Since they are young, they quickly get nervous, and shy hamsters like to pee and poo inside the tunnel. Baby hamsters also love sleeping in tubes and tunnels because of the tight space, where they feel much safer.
Avoid the following
When it comes to critter cage or company that makes critter cages, they sell these UFO style cages with high tubes for a hamster to get to the UFO. We strongly recommend against buying these kinds of toys, tubes, or tunnels. Often, these add-on hamster items are too small for Syrian and unsafe for Dwarf and Chinese hamsters.
When making or assembling tubes and tunnels, do not design them as going upwards. Hamsters are burrowers, not climbers. Unlike rats, hamsters don’t have the muscle and leg power to do high climbing. Instead, create a tunnel system flat on the ground as long as you want.
BEST LARGE HAMSTER TUNNELS
Finding the perfect tunnel for your hamster is quite tricky, especially nowadays when there are tons of hamster tunnels available on the market. That’s why we compiled a couple of best and large hamster tunnels to simplify your shopping experience.
For Dwarf and Chinese Hamster
The Chinese hamster originated in the deserts of northern China and Mongolia. Their unique character trait is that they have longer tails compared to other types of hamsters. They can grow from 82 to 127 mm in body length.
Dwarves like Winter White, Russian, and Campbell are about 8 cm as an adult.
The Roborovski dwarf hamster, on the other hand, lives in the deserts of central Asia and is the smallest species of hamster in the genus Phedopus. They have an average size of 4.5 to 5 centimetres.
For Chinese and Dwarf hamsters, a 4-centimetre diameter is the recommended tunnel size. Read this guide on how to take care of a Dwarf Hamster.
94 Pcs DIY Hamster Tunnel
What’s good about this DIY hamster tunnel is that it has no specific build. It’s up to you to design the tunnel structure, which means that you can also change the model whenever you want to. The tubes differ in colours and are interchangeable, which your hamster will surely love. This tunnel is very user-friendly as it doesn’t contain any screws. You also don’t need to glue or nail the parts. It has a rugged inner surface that is suitable for climbing.
- Size: 2 inches in diameter.
- Material: Plastic
Kaytee CritterTrail Tubes
This pack of tunnels comes in different colours and sizes, which will definitely challenge your lovely pet hamster. Its wave tube design has a comfortable grip to make it safe for your hamster’s paw, and the connector rings snap on easily for a secure passageway. This is a common tunnel for hamsters, however, these are often too small for a Syrian hamster.
- Sizes: Has 1 – 1.75″ Tube; 1 – 3.5″ Tube; 1 – tee tube; 3 – elbow tubes 1 – 10″ Tube and 8 – Connector rings. All of these are 2 inches in diameter (5 cm).
- Material: Plastic
Hamster Tunnel Seagrass
This tunnel is quite different from the usual plastic tunnels as it’s made with edible seagrass. Another great thing about this is that it’s edible. This is why you don’t have to worry if your hamster accidentally ingests this product. This tunnel is also designed with four entrances that will make your pet’s exploration more fun.
- Size: 1.9 x 7.8 x 3.5 / 5 x 20 x 9 cm
- Material: Seagrass, pine cones, apple sticks, rattan and water hyacinth
For Syrian Hamster
The Syrian hamster is also known as the Teddy Bear Hamster. They can be up to five times larger than dwarf hamsters. They are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because their numbers have declined in the wild.
That’s why if you’re planning to have more than one hamster pet, you should have separate cages for them.
Babies are separated from their mothers and by sex after four weeks. Same-sex hamsters can be separated after eight weeks because they might start fighting from this point onward, even up to death.
After purchasing or making their cages, they need wheels, a toilet and tunnels, to name a few. This part of the article is going to talk about the best tunnel tubes for your Syrian hamsters.
ALSO READ: Why hamsters fight and How many hamsters can live in one cage
Composable Tunnels / Wooden Tunnel
This type of hamster tunnel is composable which makes it safe to chew and eat by hamsters. You can make a nice maze or simply burrow a tunnel under those bedding. One thing to remember, since these are edible, your hamster will spend a lot of time chewing through them and it might not last that long.
- Size: 3 in / 7 cm diameter – [21 x 14.5 x 7.8 cm / 8 x 6 x 3 in]
- Material: hay, petals, grass, rice starch
Trixie Wicker Tunnel [For Guinea Pig]
This wicker tunnel has a dual purpose: to serve as exercise equipment and food for your hamsters. Many pet hamster owners testify that their furry friends love to chew and devour this product which makes the hamsters extremely happy. It is made with natural materials that’s why it is not hazardous should your hamsters decide to chew on it.
There are two sizes of this design and type from Trixie, but for the Syrian Hamster, you should get the Guinea Pig one to make sure it’s big enough.
- Size: 2.4 in / 6 cm diametre [20 x 10 x 10cm / 7.9 x 3.9 x 3.9in]
- Material: Reed, bamboo, willow and rattan
Kaytee Chewbular
This tube is perfect for hamsters because not only does it entice your furry pets to burrow but to chew as well. They can chew on these tubes to their heart’s content without it being harmful to them. The pack contains two play tubes and has a free sample of bedding materials. The hamster tunnel is coloured with non-toxic vegetable food colouring.
- Size: 4 in diameter / 10 cm
- Material: cardboard
Foldable Hamster Tunnel
You can turn this tunnel however you want to because of its foldable feature. It can also fit in any cage and is made of durable and stain-resistant plastic. It is very lightweight, which means that it is easy to carry and clean. The package also includes five pieces of grass ball toys that your furry friends can chew on, which are made of natural materials.
The grass balls can keep your pet’s teeth healthy. We all know that hamster teeth continuously grow, that’s why they need something to chew on frequently, and the grass balls are a perfect way for them to pass the time.
- Size: 7.78 in (L) and 5.9 in diameter / 20 cm L and 15 cm
- Material: Plastic for the tunnel, natural grass for grass balls
Nitenagel Hideout Platform
While this is not specifically a tunnel, the way it’s designed, you can easily turn it into one. Simply add cardboard or a cork mat, you can create a spacious tunnel with a sleeping chamber too – plus you get a climbing platform on top. This is one of the best large hamster tunnels that you can DIY.
Niteangel Ceramic Tunnel
The advantage of tunnels made of ceramic is that it quickly cools off during the summer. It is also more durable, which means that it is bite-resistant and lasts longer than tunnels made with other materials. This cosy tunnel has wide side entrances, making it easier for your hamster to get inside and burrow. It is available in small and large sizes, as well as a corner tunnel variation. Make sure to get a large size if you have a Syrian hamster.
- Size : 7.68 x 5.16 x 5.08 inches / 19.5 x 13 x 13 cm
- Material: Ceramic
VERDICT ON BEST HAMSTER TUNNEL AND HAMSTER TUBES
My hamster loves the DIY toilet roll tunnels but also enjoys Compostable tunnels and Seagrass tunnels. They are both safe to digest. But if you want something that will last for a while, a plastic set of tunnels is not a bad idea either. As long as you wash them during deep cleaning and get the big one if you have a Syrian hamster.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There are over 25 species of hamsters, but only five types are common as pets. These species love to run and explore the wild and when domesticated, love to run on wheels. Another thing that they have in common is their fondness for exploring and staying in tight places, that’s where these tunnel products come in.
That’s why we provided you with the list of the best large hamster tunnels for Syrian, Dwarf, and Chinese hamsters. Along with the characteristics that you need to look for when purchasing tunnels and tips on safely designing your own hamster tube system. We hope that this has been helpful and that you would consider having a pet hamster if you don’t have one yet.
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