How to get my robo to use her wheel?

PinkTeacup · 07-17-2016, 07:19 PM

My little Tinker Bell is about 6 weeks old. I adopted her last week. She's been ok with the taming process but she LOVES to dig and run around during our sessions. I've bought her 2 wheels already and all she does is pee pee on them. I set her up a potty a few days ago where her flying saucer was (since all she would do is pee pee/poop on it) but instead of going in the potty, she pees on her new silent spinner!

Also, since she's a robo, I think it's important for her to use her wheel. I know that using a wheel is not instinctual to hamsters, so I've tried placing her on it and rotating it, hoping she will get the hang of it. So far she has not, so I'm looking for some ways to help her figure it out. I know she isn't using it because I place treats on it to see if she uses it while I'm away. So far, nothing.

cypher · 07-17-2016, 08:28 PM

Peeing & pooing in the wheel is normal for a robo, I think it actually makes cage cleaning a bit easier as you know where most of the pee is! It is important not to clean it too often, once a week is usually enough.
The odd thing is that they usually do this as they run though so I would have thought she is using it, new silent spinners can be too stiff to spin properly though so make sure she can turn it easily.
I've never had a ham that had to be taught to use the wheel even when they've never seen one before!

freyashamsters · 07-17-2016, 11:28 PM

Both of my Robos pee on their wheel and as Cypher says, it makes cage cleaning easier as its about the only place they pee! Only takes 10 minutes of your day to clean it.

Never had a ham who didn't know how to use a wheel to be honest. Have you seen her try running on it? If she has and it doesn't spin then it may be a defective one and depending on how long you've had it you could get a refund and get something like a Wodent Wheel. If you have a non-defective one then, when she's awake, turn it a few times with your finger and see if she tries to make it move as well.

cypher · 07-17-2016, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freyashamsters

Only takes 10 minutes of your day to clean it.

I wouldn't clean the wheel every day, it just makes them pee in it even more & they can get a bit upset if you clean it too much.
If you really need to you can give it a quick wipe with a damp paper towel (just water) between cleans but a proper clean once a week really is often enough.

freyashamsters · 07-18-2016, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

I wouldn't clean the wheel every day, it just makes them pee in it even more & they can get a bit upset if you clean it too much.
If you really need to you can give it a quick wipe with a damp paper towel (just water) between cleans but a proper clean once a week really is often enough.

Lol I know, I meant each week but I think I forgot to specify that

PinkTeacup · 07-19-2016, 06:33 AM

Thanks for the replies! I'm just going to leave the situation as is. She is still my little digger! Digging is her favorite thing to do. Maybe she'll try using the wheel as she gets older. You're right Cypher, it makes the cage a lot easier to clean and doesn't make the place stink, so there are some positives to it.

PinkTeacup · 07-20-2016, 06:47 AM

She started using her flying saucer last night!

She's still trying to get the hang of it. I checked to see if her back was arching (it wasn't.) She's so tiny (2.5 inches long) so I think her flying saucer is a good size for her. She can't seem to use her silent spinner because it seems too heavy for her to push. But I'm glad she's tried the saucer!

cypher · 07-20-2016, 07:49 AM

That's good, glad she's found a way to use one of them!
I don't think the silent spinners are too heavy, just too stiff, why they had to change a design that worked I'll never know!

Renlikescake · 07-21-2016, 12:47 PM

I own a robo who just doesn't like wheels. She loves her 6 inch flying saucer though maybe try your hammy on one