wheels...

hammstermommy · 12-22-2011, 10:07 PM

what size wheel and ball is the right size for a dwarf, Im just getting the final details for my hamster that im getting for Christmas. Ive got everything but the wheel and ball. so i would appreciate the insight.Thanks for your help.

**Hamtastic** · 12-22-2011, 10:08 PM

What kind of a dwarf? 6.5" Silent Spinners are the most popular good wheels and will be ok for most Roborovski hamsters too (except maybe babies). You can go larger, but I wouldn't go smaller.

Ball size depends on your hamster of choice as well.

emilyweb · 12-23-2011, 02:17 AM

I as Hamtastic said, I think the 6.5 silent spinner is a great wheel for dwarves.
Could go bigger, but 6.5 is alright.

as far as balls go, I would tread carefully here, you must make sure that your hamster is comfortable in the ball.
You can't assume S/he will like it.
TTFN xx

kittycatcat5 · 12-23-2011, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammstermommy

what size wheel and ball is the right size for a dwarf, Im just getting the final details for my hamster that im getting for Christmas. Ive got everything but the wheel and ball. so i would appreciate the insight.Thanks for your help.

I find it easy if you go to the shop and find a hamster you like, then ask them how there behaviour has been recently and ask what size wheel.

Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters · 12-23-2011, 06:25 AM

Quote:

I find it easy if you go to the shop and find a hamster you like, then ask them how there behaviour has been recently and ask what size wheel.

The problem with that is that the hamsters behaviour usually changes when you have brought it home and most shops know next to nothing about wheel sizes, after all they sell 5.5" wheels for syrians :/

Like the others have said 6.5" wheels are the best though baby robos may struggle to use it while they are small. With the ball I would wait and see how your ham behaves. Some hams arent interested in wheels or exercise and so a ball would be useless.
If you do decide to get a ball though robos are better with the 5-6" balls and other dwarfs would benefit from a 7" ball

SnickersTheFirst · 12-23-2011, 06:47 AM

Depends on the species really.

I had a 6.5" Silent Spinner for my robo and he was tiny and very frail! So I'd say it's okay for young robos too. I have now given it to my baby Russian Hybrid.

Oscar my pure Winter White is a lot larger than the Russian Hybrid so he has a Junior Wodent Wheel.

hammstermommy · 12-24-2011, 10:13 PM

ok. so i got the 6.5' for my little Sipsy. Yea! I brought her home today!!!! anyways about the wheel its a slient spinner. she seems to have some trouble getting it to go. could it be that she is not used to it? after all they had one of the wire ones in the cages at the store. should i give her some time? or go back and get a wire one? the only thing is that i have read that they can get their feet caught on the wire ones. and since she is in my room i would like the slient spinner so she doesnt keep me up all night. what is ya'll's opinion? Thanks,

StarlightSerenity · 12-24-2011, 10:32 PM

Definately don't get a wire one, like you said they can cause injury (they can also cause bumblefoot).

Is the wheel stiff? It's possible that it's a bit too stiff for her and that you need to oil the spindle.

It will take her a bit to get used to the solid wheel. She'll probably find it easier once she's fully grown as well (I assume she's a baby?).

**Hamtastic** · 12-24-2011, 10:56 PM

Hm, are you sure there isn't anything wrong with the wheel? Silent Spinners spin extremely easily due to the nature of their axel mechanism--all of them do. Is anything blocking the wheel or is it attached to the cage and brushing against the bottom tray or anything else? (bedding) If none of that is the case, and the wheel is a Silent Spinner (as pictured below), I'd try exchanging it for another--if it's defective.
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