Syrian only runs on wheel for a few seconds at a time

[xosunflowerox]

I've noticed when my hamster uses her wheel, she will only run for a few seconds. She will then stop, stand on her hind legs and look around. I've never seen her consistently run on the wheel... When I look at hamsters at the pet store, they are constantly on their wheel/saucer... Could there be something wrong? I don't think the wheel is too small as when she does run, her body looks pretty straight... I just don't really know why she only runs for a few seconds at a time. Maybe she is doing it because she can sense me watching her... Not sure.

[cypher]

They do that sometimes, it may be because she knows you're there & watching, I've had some that will do that when they first get up as if just thinking what to do first!
She most probably runs properly in the night when you're not around.
As long as the wheel is big enough & spins freely I wouldn't worry.

[xosunflowerox]

Thank you! Hopefully she is fine.

[Pebbles82]

What kind of wheel is it? Although this can be normal behaviour

[chloeeruth98]

Aww yes that's most likely because she's being watched! Some hamsters are like that, mine included, so I sneak in and try to watch her without her knowing I'm there... she usually stops and hears me though and sits there rocking in her wheel before running up to the side to say hi!

Just out of interest though, how big is her wheel? It can be quite tricky to see if hamster wheels are large enough, but there are a couple of telltale signs. One is their back legs 'waddling'; hamsters should look like they're kinda 'trotting' almost effortlessly with their hips staying streamlined with the rest of their body. The only movement really should be their legs moving fast, and their nose should not be lifted up at all. It should be held a little lower than the line of their back, so that their little body is kinda streamlined looking.

For Syrian hamsters, especially females because they're larger, generally any wheel with a diameter of less than 10" is too small. Personally I feel that if space permits, a 12" wheel is ideal, and certainly when I've made the switch from a 9.5" wheel I noticed my lil one will run properly rather than just popping in then stopping.

Hope this ramble makes a bit of sense and is helpful!

[xosunflowerox]

I have a Carolina Storm bucket wheel. I believe it's 10.5" in diameter... I really love the wheel as it is silent. I keep my hamster in my room so quiet at nice is a must.