wooden wheels? what is the best - Page 2

EmmaAndChester · 03-21-2017, 02:54 PM

The one I had wasn't due to bad luck - it's happened to numerous people, and they're discouraged within most of the german hamster community (at least that's what I've been told by german friends of mine) or anyone who wishes use them is told to cover the track with a cork strip to protect the animals feet. So it wasn't just me.

I used one before for over a year with no problems, but that doesn't mean they're safe - I will most certainly not be advising or advocating for them any time soon.

I know that every wheel can have it's issues, but it just doesn't make sense to me to continuously use something that has proven to be so dangerous - why take the risk when you don't need to? Many people have reported blood on their hamsters wheel - it happens, and it's not as uncommon as most seem to think.

There are SO many safe wheel options, there just isn't any reason to risk it with the karlie wonderland wheel. And it's not bigger than the trixie cork wheel either - the *inner* dimensions of both wheels is 28cm, both wheels have an *external* diameter of 29cm. Theyre the exact same size, and the cork wheel doesn't have the risk of injuring small paws.
I wouldn't imagine that those raised bits are comfortable for the animal to run on either. A smooth running track is the way to go.

Pebbles82 · 03-22-2017, 01:38 AM

I agree a smooth track is better. My cork wheel did measure smaller inside than my wood one. But anyway it sounds like worldturns has a limited choice of wheels to fit in a tank with a maximum internal height of ?35cm. So we need to find a solution

How big is Penny anyway? What does she weigh? She might be fine with a 28cm wheel.

worldturns · 03-22-2017, 03:57 AM

I don't actually have a set of scales sensitive enough to weigh her but her plastic trixie wheel is 28cm and that is the one she works best on for size. the wheel itself has stared to make a grinding noise. after checking the bar that holds it in place I can find nothing obstructing it so I am guessing she has just worn it out after all she was not the first hamster to use it.

as for the chewing of the plastic I have kept a close eye on her behaviour, I was awake till 1am watching her, and she didn't do it once. looking again at the front cover which is the bit she chewed previous I can see not further chewing marks. I had taken photos a few days ago and compared the two.

obviously I most definitely don't want to put her at any kind of risk so while I was awake for most of the night watching her I was also doing more research. and at the moment the silent runner is winning the race so to speak. I just have to find the complete dimensions with it on it's stand so I can check that it will fit in the tank. that and it is plastic which means I can wipe it clean she is a wheel pee-er

once again thank you all for sharing your experience and opinions. I am truly greatful xx

worldturns · 03-22-2017, 05:00 AM

I stand defeated! As you will see the photo there is only 1cm Clearance from the height of the cage to the top of the proposed silent runner wheel.
So what shall it be silent spiner, another trixie, wodent wheel?

cypher · 03-22-2017, 06:00 AM

I really wouldn't get a silent spinner, so many people have problems with them, a trixie or wodent wheel would be a much better option, the wodent might last longer.

Pebbles82 · 03-22-2017, 01:23 PM

It would fit though! If that measurement allow for the lid being down as well? The Silent Runner is 35cm tall on it's stand. You'd get a bit of substrate under it, and with any wheel you wouldn't get much substrate under it, regardless of the height. You'd just need to have lower substrate in the wheel area.

But if she is fine with the 28cm Trixie then she'd be fine with the Karlie cork wheel as well (which I measured as 28cm internal diameter when I had one). And that would be less of a tight fit. The one Emma and Chester was talking about was the one with the wood struts on the running surface.

Does she tend to pee in her wheel? Wodent wheels come in 27cm and 30cm. I think the 27cm might be on the small side for her. The 30cm is the deep Wobust wheel and would take up a lot of space. As they have holes in as well, I would go for the Silent runner for a semi enclosed wheel and the Karlie cork wheel for an open wheel (assuming the Comfort wheel is out of the running

)

If it does fit I would go with the Silent runner - they can run so well in it, it is silent, and it's a safe sturdy wheel. It's also a slightly better depth than the Trixie wheel for a larger hamster (9 cm deep like the Karlie. The Trixie plastic wheel is only about 7cm deep).

The holes are bigger on the Silent Runner so she's less likely to chew at them. Also makes it easy to put your hand in and give it a quick wipe

If it fits I'd go for it. But - according to zooplus, internal height is 35cm. You would need the height measurement between the base and the bottom of the wood frame on the lid when it's closed.

worldturns · 03-26-2017, 11:16 AM

serendipity that picture is the measurements with the lid closed. I would need to make sure that there is no substrate under the wheel for the silent runner.

as for the silent spinner I managed to get my hands on one in a pet shop and I have to say for the money that is being charged I am not impressed. and the one I was looking at had small rectangular holes where the colour meets the white on the wheel. and they look like toes could get caught in that.

what I am going to do is get the silent runner and if for whatever reason it is not suitable I will have to get the wodent wheel.

I will get the wheel on pay day and as soon as it gets here I will update