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Old 08-07-2017, 08:34 AM   #1
MrsPeel
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Question Robo chewing flying saucer!

Hi. My robo, Nano, keeps chewing the bottom (stand part) of her flying saucer. She only tends to do it when she makes a nest underneath it (I think!), which is not constantly, but I'd rather she didn't swallow any plastic bits.

If I put it on a tile/marble slab it tends to slip around when she runs on it or she burrows underneath and then I'm worried the tile/marble might squish her as it's heavy.

I don't want to swap to a wooden disc as she pees on the one she has and wood obviously will soak this up and be smelly. Also, I tried a normal wheel and she seemed a bit worried about it - I think because it looked very big and she wasn't used to it as she's always had a saucer.

Does anyone have any ideas please? Would she eventually get used to the wheel if I tried again? Don't want to stress her out
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Old 08-07-2017, 08:38 AM   #2
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

What kind of upright wheel did you try before?If it was an open wheel that could be problematic for nervous hamsters,but regardless time to adjust to any new things in the cage must be given.

I'd suggest a 9 inch Silent Runner if you haven't tried one already,they're much better than a flying saucer(at the end of the day flying saucer wheels do not replace an upright wheel,and an upright wheel is quite important)and are more durable than other wheels.While they're an investment they happen to have more safety features than any other wheel on the market!
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Old 08-07-2017, 08:51 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

Flying saucers do tend to slide about if you put them on anything, you could try putting it on a piece of cardboard & sticking some lolly sticks onto the card to keep it in place, she might chew that but at least it wouldn't harm her!
Most robos are fine in a largish wheel but the enclosed 20cm Trixie wheel might be worth a try if that isn't what you tried already, the stand is metal so less chance of any chewing, the silent runner is a great wheel but larger & might not fit in your cage.
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:31 AM   #4
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

If you had it in the bedding originally I'd put it back. My past robo chewed her flying saucer & made nests underneath. Alot of hamsters make nests under their flying saucers. I don't understand how they breath but they do. As far as swallowing pieces, I don't believe I was worried about Latte chewing. Actually I didn't even wonder about it. I think it's normal behavior, you might have to reposition the wheel so she can run on it at night as it gets dislodged cause of the nest underneath. Absolutely nothing to worry about.

The Wodent Wheel Jr is perfect for robos, they love the little holes on the front panel. The Silent Runner is a good wheel but not for robos IMO The holes on the front panel are big. I'd recommend it for any other dwarf species but not robos.

Madison will leap on the back of my hand when I have to reposition it. She even went to bite me if I mess with her beloved Wodent wheel. But she's blind now so I can't blame her for leaping & biting. She only did this once, now I know to work around her

Last edited by Cinnamon Bear; 08-07-2017 at 09:51 AM.
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:51 AM   #5
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

Chewing any plastic item can be harmful.It can cause intestinal blockages,not to mention any other potential health risks It definitely is a concern and must be taken seriously.

As far as the 9 inch Silent Runner openings being too large for a robo,that is very much opinion based but I'd consider it incorrect.Their diameter is approximately 2.75 inches,which is hardly too large for a robo!Plenty members use that wheel successfully for robos and Chinese
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:54 AM   #6
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

Just sharing my experiences Chinese are good for a Silent Runner but I have had 3 robos all in Wodent wheels so I know what I'm talking about XX

Edit: I have 2 Silent Runner wheels as well, so I love that wheel but not for my robos

Last edited by Cinnamon Bear; 08-07-2017 at 10:24 AM.
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Old 08-07-2017, 12:30 PM   #7
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

I just measured the 9in Silent Runner holes & it's 2.75 x 4in so that's big & there are 4 of those holes. So Pretty much the front panel is open.

The Wodent Wheel Jr has 2 in circles & there is 5 of them. Robos loves to climb in & out of little holes
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Old 08-07-2017, 12:44 PM   #8
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

I've used a 6.5" silent spinner with my old robo and also the wheel that came with his tank which I think is 5" and they both suited Hector fine. The spinners (I currently use a p@h one) are thicker round the edges so may be harder for a wee robo to get his teeth into. Cypher is right - saucers can be a bit tricky to keep in place. I had one for Hector in his play tub so wasn't on much bedding and they do bounce a bit. And there is something very tempting about that base which they seem to want to get under. It may work out better if you can try him with a smaller upright wheel. It does seem to take them a couple of days to get used to them but they're usually finewhen they do. In the meantime, not sure if you can build up the bedding under the saucer & make a nest entrance under for him to try and encourage him to go in without chewing? Or maybe, instead of a shiny tile try it on a wooden house? Some of them are quite big and flat topped so could act like a little level. If it's the ones finished in rough bark it may give it some grip?

Everyone has different experiences of what works for them & the set up they have , wheel included. So there isn't one right answer. And as all hams are individual it makes it even trickier. What works for one may not suit another but I'm sure you'll find a solution that works for you.
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Old 08-07-2017, 01:03 PM   #9
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

Quote:
Originally Posted by velma View Post

Everyone has different experiences of what works for them & the set up they have , wheel included. So there isn't one right answer. And as all hams are individual it makes it even trickier. What works for one may not suit another but I'm sure you'll find a solution that works for you.
Well put I'm sleep deprived up since 2:30am
Hope u find a good solution
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Old 08-07-2017, 05:34 PM   #10
MrsPeel
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Default Re: Robo chewing flying saucer!

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
What kind of upright wheel did you try before?If it was an open wheel that could be problematic for nervous hamsters,but regardless time to adjust to any new things in the cage must be given.

I'd suggest a 9 inch Silent Runner if you haven't tried one already,they're much better than a flying saucer(at the end of the day flying saucer wheels do not replace an upright wheel,and an upright wheel is quite important)and are more durable than other wheels.While they're an investment they happen to have more safety features than any other wheel on the market!
I've put the wheel back in her cage now and removed the saucer - I have the 20cm Trixie wheel with the holes rather than the open front, so I'll give it a few days this time and hopefully she'll take to it.

Thanks for your help
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