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Old 12-02-2019, 02:43 AM   #1
quisp65
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Default Putting a wheel in a daytime hide

Trying to keep my hamster healthy since he is at the big 2.0 in years. I was thinking of taking a bucket about my wheel size and keeping the wheel covered during the day since Fluffy doesn't come out during the day. Carve out a couple of entrance/exit holes. Maybe I could get him more active through out all parts of the day?

Thoughts? Opinions? Anybody do this? Results?
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Old 12-02-2019, 03:58 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Putting a wheel in a daytime hide

Maybe i'm a bit dim but i don't understand what you are trying to achieve and what exactly is your question?

At 2 years of age he is an old man so why would you want to encourage him to be more avtive?
Why would you want to cover his wheel?

You need to make sure that he is comfortable and that everything he needs is easily accessible for him. Some people adjust their hamsters habitats as they get older to make life easier for them.

Please explain this bucket idea further so i can give you an opinion on it.
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Old 12-02-2019, 04:32 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Putting a wheel in a daytime hide

I don't understand either They need to sleep during the day as part of their biorhythms. Are you talking about making a bucket wheel for a playpen for out of cage time? I wouldn't cover his wheel - they love their wheel. If he is slowing down as older hamsters do, then just make sure there is plenty of enrichment at floor level in his cage so he can enjoy his twilight days.

Do you think he is declining if he's not very active?
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Old 12-02-2019, 08:06 AM   #4
quisp65
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Default Re: Putting a wheel in a daytime hide

With humans we encourage activity in older age to decrease risks of blood clots, pneumonia, prevent weakness & etc. I was thinking for a hamster aging that hides during 16 hours of light, it might be beneficial health wise to have the option for activity. Especially considering he is getting a little less active at night when he is up. I would just place a hide over the wheel during the day to add the option for him to use the wheel for a bit if he chooses.

I would have an unside down small bucket that would cover the wheel during daylight with top ventilation with 2 holes for exit & entrance. He probably wouldn't use it, but who knows. Just throwing out my thoughts.
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Old 12-02-2019, 08:34 AM   #5
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Putting a wheel in a daytime hide

ahh, do you mean that you think if you make it dark around the wheel he will use it during daylight time?
I get what you are saying about humans, but don't forget some humans when they get older are just to ill/tired to do anything. Also, hamsters obviously age rapidly compared to humans.
If it was me, I would be just letting my hamster do whatever he wants to do in his old age.
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Old 12-02-2019, 08:46 AM   #6
Ria P
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Default Re: Putting a wheel in a daytime hide

Now i understand what you mean but i agree with Luna.

Personally, i don't think that your idea is a good one but i appreciate your intention of keeping your hamster fit and healthy.

You could try and darken the room with block out curtains or blinds to see if it fools your hamster into believing that its night and time to get up and exercise but i doubt that he would.

We don't get up in the middle of the night to go for a run if someone turns all the lights on.
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Old 12-02-2019, 11:26 AM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Putting a wheel in a daytime hide

I would just leave him to do his own thing - he will get freaked out by you doing anything to his wheel. He is very very old at 2 years old anyway so is probably happily enjoying slowing down. If he is asleep all evenign and you're not seeing much of him, you could try tempting him out around 7pm with a tube with a treat at one end (so he walks into the tube then put your hands over the end and lift him out that way). Our elderly hamsters have always enjoyed a run around in a safe area - eg a playpen or a hamster proofed room - but they can get slower in their cages.

I would say out of cage time is the best option. On the sofa maybe, if he's slowed down a bit, or on top of a double bed. When they're older they're less likely to jump off (famous last words!).

I hamster proofed our living room and our ageing syrian used to enjoy running around for a bit of exercise. If he seems short of breath though, he may be better just resting in his cage.
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Old 12-03-2019, 10:52 AM   #8
Vierville
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Default Re: Putting a wheel in a daytime hide

More elderly hamsters, in my experience, also tend to sleep more so to try and 'trick' him into thinking it is night when it is day might go against what he naturally would need.
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