Stopped using wheel?

Sarahleigh · 05-10-2016, 02:11 AM

Hello everyone, I recently brought my hamster Mufassa and within days of having him I knew his wheel was too small from the way he was craning his neck. So I brought a new one which is much larger, slightly more enclosed (he had a habit of falling out while running!) and is a silent one. Brought it home and popped it in his cage, he seemed to love it, looked much more comfortable when he ran. But within 24 hours of us having this new wheel he stopped using it? Any ideas?

Thanks, Sarah X

Piebald · 05-16-2016, 11:54 AM

Hi Sarah, welcome to HC.

Sorry it looks like your post was missed-- it gets very busy here sometimes!
Is he still not using the wheel? I wondered if it was stuck? What kind of wheel is it?

freyashamsters · 05-16-2016, 12:44 PM

Hi Sarah and welcome to HC

What type of wheel is it? I'm guessing it's something like a Wodent Wheel - if it is, they can get stiff sometimes which is why your hamster may be reluctant to use it - a quick dab with vegetable oil should make it run more freely.

If you got your hamster quite recently, then they may just be a bit nervous and were maybe running off their nervous energy at first

Or your hamster is just a bit lazy and was just testing out the wheel at first!

Pebbles82 · 05-16-2016, 12:48 PM

Goodness it did get missed! A week ago! Hello and welcome

Is he using it any more now? Check it is spinning ok and is stable and not wobbling around. He is probably using it at night. If you put a piece of substrate on top when you go to bed you can see if it's gone in the morning.

Sometimes they are funny about a wheel changing. Charlie our Syrian, wouldn't use his for about a week after I cleaned it once. Someone suggested putting a treat in the wheel and that did the trick - so you could try that too.

Which wheel is it?

Sarahleigh · 05-17-2016, 12:44 AM

Thanks guys, it's a silenced wheel from pets at home. Brand new and moves freely, I finally heard him using it last night after I went to sleep, must have just been the smell. And running off nervous energy at the beginning does make sense as he didn't get off it to begin with haha!

He's developed another strange behaviour I wonder if you could help me with.

He's become a bit too smart haha, he knows we don't like it when he chews the bars on the cage (because of his teeth) so he chews to get attention. We made the mistake of giving him some carrot to gnaw on instead, now every time he chews, he runs to the top of the cage expecting something tasty!

He has a large cage and gets let out for a run in his ball twice a day so to not boredom it's just greediness!

We have resorted in just ignoring him when he does this but I'm worried about his teeth as I've heard it can make them grow at a funny angle?

cypher · 05-17-2016, 01:24 AM

They soon learn if bar chewing gets them attention & even bette treats! The best thing you can do is just ignore it for a while & see if it stops, if it's in one particular place you could try putting cardboard through the bars for now.
Could you make a play pen for him so he can have some more interesting fun & things to explore rather than just the ball?

Pebbles82 · 05-17-2016, 01:27 AM

Do you have a picture of his cage set up? Sometimes they bar chew if something isn't right in there - like if the wheel isn't working (you just said it is

) or the bottle isn't working, or they can't get up to a shelf because a ladder is wobbly or something. Or if the substrate isn't deep enough and they feel not quite right and want to get out.

Stress can make them bar chew as well, so if he's had a change recently it could be that.

Piebald · 05-17-2016, 10:56 PM

Bar chewing is a common problem and can be difficult to stop once it becomes habitual. It is often learned attention getting behaviour. Assuming everything else is OK like Serendipity says, you will have to untrain him like cypher says!
Can you give us a bit more information to help with suggestions about his cage set up and routine? I am assuming he is a Syrian? What cage is he in and what enrichment does he have? can you get a picture? I'd love to see him anyway

What's his name?

Sarahleigh · 05-19-2016, 01:08 AM

Hey everyone, thanks for your answers, his name is Mufassa

yes he is a Syrian. I don't have a picture of the cage on my computer, but it's the large £50 pets at home cage which is on the website, almost the entire bottom part is filled with substrate which is a big chunk, he also has a sand digging pit (as he just loves to dig). If I ignore the chewing he does stop after about 15 minutes. If I was to go near the cage when he's chewing he runs straight to the top.

The reason he has only been in his ball is because he is still really jumpy if I was to touch him. And in order to tame him I have been trying to get him used to taking a piece of food from my hand, which unfortunately is all he seems to expect from my hand now. As I hand feed him I am slowly able to gently stroke him but if I put my hand under him to try and scoop him up he freaks out still. He's getting there but slowly, I just don't feel comfortable with putting him in a playpen (which I am currently in e process of making) until he is comfortable with being held. As of yesterday we have only had him two weeks, so he's doing well considering how terrified he was when we first brought him home.

Piebald · 05-19-2016, 01:30 AM

Glad he's doing well; it must be scary for them moving to a home! Love the name, what colour is he?
Is this the cage?
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...%29?orderBy=4#
I understand about the ball, just be aware they are controversial and you will get differing views on their value. However if you are using one be careful because apparently they all can break open in use so people tape them shut for safety. Also no longer than 15 or 20 minutes without a water and rest break. If he is small his feet may be vulnerable to getting trapped and injured in the vent holes. There, that's why a play pen was suggested!

They are great for transporting him when cage cleaning or to another room though.

Try putting some treats in your hand, leave it flat in the cage so he has to climb on to get them. Be careful not to leave tasty finger tips too obvious. Some people use the back of the hand to start with if they think they have a biter. Young hammies don't always know the difference between a finger and a treat.

Do you have some chewing toys for him? Whimzees are very popular. What house has he got?