Strange usage of wheel?

louielover123 · 10-03-2010, 03:37 AM

I am a very new hamster owner, I only got my lovely louie a week ago, and I already have some unanswered questions. I have noticed that when louie uses his wheel he is running almost vertically. I don't know why he does this but sometimes he can go so upright he almost fall backwards. Please if someone could tell me if this behavior is bad or if the wheel is the wrong size please tell me how i can fix this strange problem.

Thank you. : )

Fidgetthefirst · 10-03-2010, 06:19 AM

Im assuming he's a syrian hamster?
A syrian needs atleast an 8" wheel size (: A good one is a 'wodent wheel'

I think he's doing this simply because the wheels too small

SarahJ · 10-03-2010, 06:31 AM

it sounds as if the wheel is too small like Fidget said a syrian needs an 8" wheel

annie81 · 10-03-2010, 09:59 AM

yap...either the wheel is too small or the hamster is too fast

my flatmates chinese sometimes runs vertically...but the wheel is big enough...the hamster is just to fast

louielover123 · 10-05-2010, 11:45 AM

Right guys, thanks for your quick replies.

Yes he is a Syrian hammy and the wheel came with the cage so I didn't suspect a problem. And now I have a bigger problem if I have to change the wheel because my wheel is attached to a gallery and attaching a bigger wheel would hit the floor when it spins so I'll have to buy a free-standing one, oh well.

Just to remind you he is only 9 weeks old so he is not fully grown but if you still think I need to change it then I will.

Thanks : )

mangoandmimi · 10-05-2010, 12:24 PM

Yeah cage wheels = defintily too small. well,, aprt from the hamter heaven one

silent spinners are annoying their too small too >.<
Have you considered the karlie wheel? only thing is its wood so may be problem, or wodent wheel

i've heard mix reviews of the wodent wheel...
goodluck!

KutButLykee · 10-05-2010, 12:58 PM

Yup. I think you should still change it

SnickersTheFirst · 10-05-2010, 01:23 PM

The most reccomended wheels are the comfort wheel and the wodent wheel. Make sure the size is 8" though

annie81 · 10-05-2010, 01:57 PM

you need to change the wheel once the hammie has grown up anyway so might just as well change it now...they grow very quickly

**Hope** · 10-06-2010, 03:20 AM

Yup annoying as it is cages for hamsters do not come with adequate wheels, and many hammys can hurt themselves using a wheel that is way too small. 8" is the reccomended size for a syrian, the comfort wheel or wodent wheel or Karlie wheel seems to have some of the best reviews. Own both a karlie and a wodent wheel and would reccomend either!