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Old 12-28-2020, 08:23 AM   #1
MikeTherk
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Default hamster using wheel as a house

I've had my new hamster, Orange, for just about a month. My last hamster, Chewch, died suddenly from something neurological before he was even a year old. So, everything is making me paranoid.

Starting on Saturday, my hamster knocks her wheel over. Then she burrows underneath and uses it as her house. She stores her food there, her chews there, and sleeps there.

I know it's important for hamsters to run on the wheel as it burns excess energy. Should I be worried that she has -100% interest in running? Does anyone else have a hamster that doesn't run on the wheel?
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Old 12-29-2020, 01:17 PM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

She may have knocked it over by mistake but really she shouldn't be able to knock it over because it could fall on top of her and injure her.

Wheels should be positioned in a way to avoid this from happening. I don't know what kind of cage she lives in but with hamsters who are likely to burrow under a wheel, i attach the wheel to the bars, create a play area with little substrate under the wheel or put it securely on a platform so the hamster can burrow under the platform.

A hamster should always have a species appropriatly sized wheel available to them. Some run more than others and many run when we are asleep.
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Old 12-30-2020, 09:42 PM   #3
MikeTherk
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

She's in a bin cage. 32Lx20W. I have a 8x8 wheel on one of those stand things. I have a very shallow amount of bedding under wheel. She ran on it for maybe 20 seconds tonight, knocked it over, and burrowed under.

Would you suggest one of those flying saucer things or perhaps a bigger wheel?
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Old 12-31-2020, 12:57 AM   #4
Ria P
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeTherk View Post

Would you suggest one of those flying saucer things or perhaps a bigger wheel?
What species of hamster is Orange?
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Old 12-31-2020, 05:41 AM   #5
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

I just saw your post re the weight of your Syrian. If this is the same hamster, then part of the problem maybe that your wheel is too small for syrians, especially if your hamster does weight 368g.
Are you able to post a pic of her and her cage setup.
For most syrians you will need a 11-12 inch wheel. It also sounds like you will need to put it on top of some sort of platform so she can't keep knocking it over.
Does she have a hide in her cage? If not, you could look at putting a shoe box in the cage, turn it upside down and cut a hole for the door in it.
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Old 12-31-2020, 11:03 AM   #6
Ria P
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

Amazon sells and currently stocks the 12in/28cm Trixie wheel which is popular and suitable for a Syrian.

My Syrians also have the Trixie 30cm flying saucer as a floor toy when they're out of their cage and free roaming.

The medium one is far too small and only suitable for dwarfs as an additional wheel or as a floor toy for out of cage time.
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Old 01-01-2021, 07:50 AM   #7
MikeTherk
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

Thanks guys! I hopped on Amazon and ordered the 12inch for her. It should arrive by the end of the week.
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Old 01-02-2021, 10:34 AM   #8
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeTherk View Post
Thanks guys! I hopped on Amazon and ordered the 12inch for her. It should arrive by the end of the week.
That's great, hope you see a change in her behaviour.
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Old 02-16-2021, 11:57 AM   #9
MikeTherk
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

Just a follow up. I feel like the wheel is too hard for my hamster to push. I got her this one.

Amazon.com

Does anyone have this wheel and do you know how I can adjust its "breaks" so she can run on it without using all her might?
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Old 02-16-2021, 12:49 PM   #10
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: hamster using wheel as a house

I sent that wheel back when I ordered it, it was so noisy and not easy to spin.
If it was from Amazon can you return it?
You could try a trixie 28cm one or a more expensive but quiet and easy to run on wheel is the Silent Runner.
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