Help! New Hamster can't turn wheel!?

[mushroomandcucumber]

It's my second night of syrian Hamster owning. All through the first night he was turning his wheel fine and running like crazy all night but tonight he can't seem to find the knack or make it go. I don't think there are any obstructions in and around the wheel so I don't understand! It is a massive 12 inch silent spinner but he seemed to manage fine yesterday so I don't know.

[AmityvilleHams]

Silent Spinners can be stiff.Try and get a Silent Runner instead if you can,they are more lightweight and much easier to turn than Silent Spinners.

[pinkneon]

Apparently the new silent spinners are difficult to turn Do you have a spare or a Flying Saucer you can use for now, and then get a new wheel maybe?

[cypher]

It most likely is a problem with the wheel itself, unless it's an older one, the new design really doesn't seem to work well.

[velma]

As the others have said, apparently the new Silent Spinners can be stiff so worth seeing how freely it runs. Have you checked the bedding underneath? I know my Syrian Cleo pushes hers around a bit so it doesn't look look it's blocking it but the bedding is just wedged enough to stop it turning properly or made it tip backwards a fraction. Of it's attached the bars, has it over tightened itself? You may be able to loosen it a bit.

[Pebbles82]

If you've only just got it I should try and get a refund. As the others say they seem to have a problem since a manufacturing change. I have the 12" Silent "Runner" - it's great - totally silent and spins really easily, plus it has a nice sturdy base. But it's a bit expensive to buy in the Uk due to import charges. The Trixie wheel is a cheaper option - not silent but most people seem to find them fairly quiet. It's 28cm so not quite as big but big enough for most Syrians. The Trixie wheel is a bit flimsy in comparison but it does the job!

Silent Runner 12"

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Exer...s=Trixie+wheel

[CMB]

A bit of substrate or something may have got stuck in/near the spindle. Maybe try taking the wheel apart to check.

Some vegetable oil around the spindle/bearing may help.

If substrate underneath or inside wheel bearings/spindle you may just need to move the wheel to prevent it happening again.

[Winterjay]

I agree that you should probably get a refund.

But you can try adding some hamster safe oil like olive oil,sunflower oil, coconut oil, or even bag balm(stuff they use on cow udders and as a hand cream) to the spoke and see if that helps. If your hamster is not a licker you can use vasoline (which I find has worked the best) but I wouldn't recommend it because its a petroleum product.

As a person who rarely gets to the pet store this has helped me, the only bad thing is that you need to re-oil once in a while.

[Pebbles82]

I think a number of people have found they just don't spin well any more so not sure anything will help with that. They aren't cheap so might be best just to send/take it back and get your money back to get something else with. I sent for one a few months ago just to see and mine was the same.

[chesca_27]

Yeah most Silent Spinners don't work very well any more. Strangely enough, Jasper has the new design (6.5 inch), yet can spin his with relative ease (not as easily as his Comfort Wheel). It is slightly harder for him yet he doesn't seem to mind putting the extra effort in. He weighs about 55 grams .

I only use he Silent Spinner for his travel cage though as the Comfort Wheel is too big .

I really like the Comfort Wheel. It spins very freely and are easy to get. I bought mine off Viovet, quite cheaply. It is also easy to dismantle and clean. The only downside is the noise but that's more of my little dwarf hamster's feet tapping loudly on the wheel when he runs.

The Silent Runner is supposed to be excellent, but expensive.