Putting food and bedding in wheel.
 

My syrian male aged 17 weeks keeps on putting a small amount of bedding and food into his wheel and then runs around in it making a racket!

I keep taking it off to allow him to move his food and bedding and settle but then as soon as its back on he will repeat it.

I know I have asked a similar question before but any tips? I dont want to buy another wheel so please dont suggest that option :)

Thanks!

Re: Putting food and bedding in wheel.
 

Quite a few hams do this, some even take su residence in their :mad:
Ah yes i remember, you have the rotastak wheel!
Yep from my experience hammies really enjoy stuffing food and bedding in there :D
Peggy had two wheels and she didn't run much in the rainbow runner so it wasn't much of a problem.
i can't think of much to suggest, as obviously you don't want to deprive him of exercise by removing the wheel too much. But how long did you take it off for?
it may need longer for him to settle himself, which you must provide lots of exercise time outside the cage while its taken off.

Re: Putting food and bedding in wheel.
 

If he gets really noisy again I will do that! Thanks for the help :)

Re: Putting food and bedding in wheel.
 

One of the things I have noticed with enclosed cages like the Rotastak, is that hamsters LOVE to nest in the wheels. I think because its the smallest confined space they can find, and they feel safest in there. If he really seems to want to nest in the wheel, I would suggest buying him a second wheel to run in, so that he can nest where he pleases and get the necessary exercise. There's really no way to prevent a hamster from nesting somewhere. They'll do what they want and don't care what we think is best for them. Its the same answer for "why does my hamster move everything around in his cage once I clean it??"

Re: Putting food and bedding in wheel.
 

Okay thanks for the advice starrylight99 & fluffymunchkins.

Re: Putting food and bedding in wheel.
 

at first i read that wrong and saw 17 yrs lol - urgh need glasses...
what fluffy said....
wont repeat :)

Re: Putting food and bedding in wheel.
 

Wow that would be a good age!

On the good side he seems to have taken his food out so when he runs its not noisy, lets hope he keeps it that way! :)

Re: Putting food and bedding in wheel.
 

Sorry, I don't really have any advice as It's already been said. I have to have a good laugh. Not at you though. Just thinking about past memories of my Rotastack and being glad that it's you and not me. Just think in a few more years hamster keeping and a few different hamster cages. I'm sure you can look on to and laugh about it and give this advice to others. Good luck with the wheel though :-)