Wheel size for dwarf hamsters? (6.5" too small?) and wheel safety.

floppy91 · 04-15-2017, 04:08 AM

Does my hamster wheel look too small? Is he arching his back here?

I was thinking of getting the 20cm Trixie wheel. (I don't want a wooden wheel as both hamster's pee and eat in their wheels). I read a review on amazon where some-one said their syrian was using a Trixie wheel and dislocated his leg? There were photos and it looked awful! Is that very likely with this cage design!? How would that even happen!

AmityvilleHams · 04-15-2017, 04:27 AM

It does look slightly cramped to me.Not necessarily the worst,but if you wanted to get a different wheel the Silent Runner is always a great idea(9 inch size being perfect for any dwarf species,much safer than any other wheel on the market as well as being considerably longer lasting and remaining a true silent wheel).

cypher · 04-15-2017, 05:19 AM

His back actually looks straight enough to me there, do you know what size that wheel is?
I had the 20cm trixie briefly, I didn't keep it long as it was unbearably noisy! My Chinese girl who used it did climb up on the axle/bar (whatever you call it?!) that goes through the centre which was worrying, don't think a Russian would be able to do that though.
I've used the wooden Karlie wheels with hams that pee & eat in them & if you give them at least two coats of plastikote they're fine.
Silent runners are great wheels but I know not everyone wants to spend that much on a wheel, they are tall too but that looks like you have an alaska so it would fit if you wanted to consider that option.

floppy91 · 04-15-2017, 05:40 AM

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...e-wheel-medium

I measured the wheel myself and it is just under 6.5 inch diameter.
Ah the Plastikote is a good idea, but I'm 'allergic' to DIY of any kind

I let Thunder have a shot of my Syrian's old wooden wheel, and he could push it easily! However at 12inches tall I thought it might be a bit big for him...

The Trixie wheel is only £5.99 at the moment, I might order a couple and see how they get on. I'm relieved to know that they will be fine in the mean time! The noise isn't a problem for me because they are in my living room.

cypher · 04-15-2017, 07:51 AM

That wheel you have is almost the same as the silent spinner & even my biggest russian was fine running in the 6.5" silent spinner, it does seem odd when they need at least 8" with any other wheel design but somehow it works so he may not even need an upgrade.

Fluffagrams · 04-15-2017, 03:05 PM

I've recentely bought two more of the Trixie wheels after buying one a couple of months ago to see how my Chinese have liked them and so far they've approved. I don't know if we've just been lucky with them but they're not as noisy as the Silent Spinners had become.

I know that the Trixie wheels aren't going to be as good as the Silent Runner but they do represent an affordable option for most hamster owners and at 5.99 it's not a great deal to lose if your hamster doesn't get on with it.