Hamster won't use wheels

alipali1 · 06-25-2017, 04:42 AM

My hamster Castiel used to be fine when we first got him, we had the cheap pets at home cages that had a little clip on wheel, never had any problems.
When we got a 6ft tank however every wheel I've bought he just won't use, he's really putting on weight in comparison to his brother and he's SO timid that he doesn't really like coming out around people, even us and we are around everyday, his brother is the complete opposite. I dont want to force him out into the ball a lot as I know he doesn't like it.
I've bought so many different wheels, I don't know what to do, if I restrict his food I'd feel bad as it's not like we feed them loads.

Any advice?

Pebbles82 · 06-25-2017, 05:26 AM

Which wheels have you tried? Also how far away is the wheel from his house? If it's a 6 foot tank and he's a bit timid he might not want to venture to the far end of the tank for example, if that's where the wheel is. So cage set up could help. Apologies if you have this already, but suggest lots of "overhead cover" on the floorspace - eg large tunnels, hides. and a platform or shelf (possibly along the back length of the tank). Although it's good to have plenty of space, they can get scared by too much "open" space). Also how deep is the substrate? If it's quite low it maybe feels like he can't dig in it to hide if he got scared or something.

Only other thing I can think is - our last hammy wouldn't use his wheel when it had been washed or cleaned - because it didn't smell of him any more. I had to tempt him back in it by putting a treat or cucumber in it (something that smells irresistable!) then he'd start using it again. As a result I rarely cleaned the wheel

Just gave it a wipe inside every few weeks if it got a bit whiffy (luckily he didn't pee in it that often) and hardly every gave it a full wash.

Have you got a photo of your set up? It seems significant that he stopped wheeling when he went into the larger tank.

CMB · 06-25-2017, 05:55 AM

The shy one could be hiding because his brother is bullying him. When keeping more than one hamster together you need a wheel, water bottle, food bowl (scatter feeding is better than bowl feeding) for each hamster. They need hides/houses with more than one entrance, so one doesn't trap the other inside.

You may need to separate them, by dividing the tank or putting one of them into another tank or cage.

Deanna · 06-25-2017, 09:40 AM

My Humphrey wouldn't use his wheel because it was too small but when i brough a bigger one he did what size is the wheel and have you looked into getting a bigger One??

cypher · 06-25-2017, 10:04 PM

I'm not sure whether you mean both hams are still together in the large tank or not?
If they are then as CMB says there could be a bullying issue going on, it could also be that the tank is too big for him & if he's finding the space intimidating then he will remain timid, reluctant to come out & be less active overall, most hams enjoy lots of space but a few really don't do well in large cages/tanks so that may be the problem.

alipali1 · 08-28-2017, 12:25 PM

Hey sorry guys, forgot my log in details! Well today I finally managed to sort the wheel issue and I'm so happy! After buying around 8 different kind she of wheels one day I was in pets at home and they had a clip on wheel holder! Didn't know these existed?
Anyway so I managed to clip on his wheel from his rubbish old cage and he was so so happy!
And the 6ft cage is split in 2, sorry didn't explain very well, thanks for then help though

https://ibb.co/hNtX1k
https://ibb.co/h4DMu5

alipali1 · 08-28-2017, 12:29 PM

Also don't worry guys, just sorted the water bottle, Velcro sucks!

Any advice on what I could use for attaching the bottles?

AmityvilleHams · 08-28-2017, 12:42 PM

The main priority with bottle attachment is not using metal.Metal holders are a serious injury risk and aren't worth risking.A good hamster safe natural wood bottle holder(sealed with a DIY natural wood seal or left plain,avoid storebought products to seal things as ingredients are unknown and therefore to consider them safe is not the best idea even if the product is popular)could work if you really don't want to try Velcro again.

However,you could have simply had a bad experience due to poor placement of the bottle.If not placed very well(mostly where the spout allows safe drinking but the bottle itself is almost entirely out of reach)Velcro can seem like a terrible idea and won't make the bottle stay put.

An alternative to bottles would be simply using a small shallow(just a few cm)reptile dish or something similar.It's much more sanitary if kept in a good position and frequently wiped with paper towels and plain water(a vinegar/water solution if extremely necessary could work,but plain water is best).This would be the most natural option,plus most hamsters end up drinking more efficiently and comfortably with bowls!

alipali1 · 08-28-2017, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

The main priority with bottle attachment is not using metal.Metal holders are a serious injury risk and aren't worth risking.A good hamster safe natural wood bottle holder(sealed with a DIY natural wood seal or left plain,avoid storebought products to seal things as ingredients are unknown and therefore to consider them safe is not the best idea even if the product is popular)could work if you really don't want to try Velcro again.

However,you could have simply had a bad experience due to poor placement of the bottle.If not placed very well(mostly where the spout allows safe drinking but the bottle itself is almost entirely out of reach)Velcro can seem like a terrible idea and won't make the bottle stay put.

An alternative to bottles would be simply using a small shallow(just a few cm)reptile dish or something similar.It's much more sanitary if kept in a good position and frequently wiped with paper towels and plain water(a vinegar/water solution if extremely necessary could work,but plain water is best).This would be the most natural option,plus most hamsters end up drinking more efficiently and comfortably with bowls!

It's hard to tell from the photo but it is reachable, I have to change the Velcro ALOT but so far haven't found and easier way, and yeah I read this about the metal holders hence not buying some.
The bottle usually points to the side but where it's hanging down it looks like it's facing forward, he uses it fine, that's not the problem, it's attaching it on.
I tried water bowls but no matter where I put it both hamsters push it over. Maybe I'll put both in for a little while and hope hey get used to it as maybe they get confused by what it is at first.

AmityvilleHams · 08-28-2017, 01:10 PM

If you could glue a border(Elmer's glue or a DIY flour glue,with the DIY option being preferable)and keep the bowl in a corner where the shelf and cage meet so that the bowl would be somewhat stuck in place,that would work to keep the bowl from being tipped over.However if you're very careful a simple piece of natural hamster safe wood(not glued in place,something like a very small cork or grape vine piece for example)could probably work as well,and would be easier to replace if necessary!