Hamster lead, harness and collar – description and comparison

As soon as warm days begin, hamster owners seriously think about how to provide their pet with a walk. Taking the cage outside, buying a leash for a hamster, arranging a special pen for it, or diversifying the life of a pet in another way are questions that many lovers of these rodents think about.

What walks can you offer a hamster

Not everyone takes their pets to the green grass, because not everyone knows whether it is possible to walk with a hamster on the street.

In order to make your pet’s life more fulfilling, you can let him go for a walk, even just around the room. However, it is necessary to strictly ensure that the hamster is in sight at all times. Otherwise, a small animal can climb into a place where it will be very problematic to pull it out (a small gap in the floor, household appliances, etc.).

A great joy for the hamster will be a walk on the street. An animal curious by nature will instantly find something to do – it will begin to explore a new territory, sniff at herbs, look for delicious cereals.

But in order not to lose a pet even in your own home, and even more so, on the street, hamsters simply need leashes, because the cage, if you just put it in the yard, will not give room for a full walk.

Attention! Walking a hamster on the street should be safe for the pet. It should be remembered that even on a leash a small animal can be hurt by a cat or dog. Therefore, it is better not to trust the walk to small children.

Types of leashes

Leashes can be varied:

• leash with a collar;
• harness;
• harness-vest;
• walking ball.

A leash with a collar is used extremely rarely for such pets, in cases where the hamster is a large breed. Most often, a hamster collar is used only for decorative purposes (collars with rhinestones, tiny collars with beads, etc. are put on). Leading a hamster for a walk in a collar is unreliable, the animal can turn out.

A harness is a more reliable option and it is recommended for walking. The harness is a part of the equipment, which is made of leather and fabric materials, passes through the chest and paws. The simplest type of harness is two small loops connected on the stomach, into which the hamster’s legs are threaded. The clasp and leash are attached to the back of the animal. Getting out of a harness is much more difficult than out of a collar.

The harness should be put on so that the little finger passes between the body of the animal and the harness. If you put on such a collar more loosely, the hamster will easily free himself, if you put it on more tightly, you can harm your pet.

Harness – a vest is a vest, on the back of which a leash is attached. A vest harness is considered more reliable than a regular harness. The animal itself feels more comfortable in such a harness.

Carefully! Collars and harnesses must be securely fastened with a leash, otherwise a small animal can simply be lost.

Walking ball – this is not a leash, but this is another suggestion for those who want to walk a hamster. Usually, this is a plastic ball in which ventilation holes are made. Not many owners use such a ball for walking, but in the case of a Djungarian hamster or other dwarf hamster, this is the most convenient way out. If the size of the pet is larger, then it is more convenient to walk on a harness, because the pet does not feel very comfortable in the ball, the space is limited, and there is simply no opportunity to run on the ground.

DIY harness

If it was not possible to buy a harness of the right size, it is not at all difficult to make one yourself. Special patterns are not required, you just need to carefully examine the harness in the photo, measure your hamster and, according to the size, sew the equipment for the rodent. There are only a few factors to consider:

• fastening must be strong and reliable;
• material should choose cloth or leather;
• it is better to sew a leash and a harness from material of bright colors. This is not only beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, but also practical – if the leash falls out of your hands, so that it immediately catches your eye;
• The harness should not be too small or too big.

A do-it-yourself harness for a hamster will be more convenient than a purchased one, because it is made according to individual measurements.

For those who have mastered sewing harnesses, making a hamster leash with their own hands will turn out to be a simple matter. You will only need to buy a rope or a strong braid of a suitable width and sew on a mount (carabiner).

Must be taken into account! You need to put on a harness on your pet at home! If the hamster resists, it should be distracted with a treat.

After the animal is on the street, the harness will no longer worry him so much – he will have other things to do. If the pet, even on the street, tries to get out for a long time, remove the harness, does not switch to the environment, you should once again check whether the equipment is convenient for him.

If you carefully approach the choice of a leash and harness for your pet, walking along the street will become a real pleasure for your hamster.