To Wheel or Not to Wheel?... - Page 3

Thin Lizzy · 07-10-2017, 04:02 AM

One of my past hamsters Archie would try and run on the outside of the wheel and no matter how many times I lifted him off, he would attempt it again and again, he did finally work it out lol!
They can run up to 10 miles a night.

AprilPearl · 07-10-2017, 04:05 AM

That is funny, one of our past hamsters did that too! Kevin always was a little crazy though!

Thin Lizzy · 07-10-2017, 04:08 AM

It was very funny to watch.

Pebbles82 · 07-10-2017, 07:31 AM

Weighing once a week is the usual recommended thing. Weight will fluctuate from day to day and times of day as well. Glad he enjoys the wheel and has stopped bar chewing. His weight isn't everything - what's important is he is happy and healthy

They could eat a lot of sunflowers one week and none the next week

A weigh once a week is just a general check to see that they are progressing or at a healthy weight. A healthy weight is anything over 100g xxx

AprilPearl · 07-10-2017, 07:47 AM

Serendipity thank you

I guess I just want to make absolutely sure that he is ok! But, you're right that weighing too often will probably just stress me out about him.

AprilPearl · 07-11-2017, 12:29 AM

I know I shouldn’t be weighing him daily, but I just want to do so until the weight loss stops. Please don’t think I am rejecting everyone’s advice! I know you are all right... But at the same time I worry about any weight loss because of a guinea pig I had who had cancer and lost a lot of weight very quickly before he died.

Quigley has lost 1g overnight. So, not as much as the night before but still a loss. Is there anything that I can feed him to give him a little extra energy?

cypher · 07-11-2017, 01:03 AM

I think with his mix & any extras he's already having he probably has enough, I would wait at least a few more days & give him time to adjust to the new activity, if he really needs more he should just eat more.

souffle · 07-11-2017, 01:12 AM

Both Fergus and Walnut lost weight when they got the wheel. Remember puppies and puppy fat - we even call it puppy fat in humans so I don't think this is abnormal. I'd advise you not to worry and think of him as a gangly teen for now and as long as he is fit and active as well as eating a good diet he will grow in his own time. Ours are only just starting to increase again after several weeks of loss or steady weight. This will be adult muscle building as their hormones kick in. Slow is better for them and don't overload him with protein as it isn't good for his kidneys. Balance is the key.

AprilPearl · 07-11-2017, 01:50 AM

Cypher he doesn't really get any extras besides his veg and a little piece of dried chicken a couple of times a week. Sometimes if we are having pasta or rice, he gets some of that cooked. Hope you're right and he will simply up his intake. Silly boy, I told him he needs to eat more!

Souffle thank you so much! I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that Quigley is not the only one for whom the introduction of a wheel causes weight loss. I was s crying this morning because I was afraid it meant he was dying! With your pups, how much weight did they lose and how long did the weight loss continue? I just want to know what is normal so that if Quigley goes beyond that I will be able to tell all is not well.