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Old 11-12-2017, 01:36 PM   #1
Hamsterzz12
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Default Sister won’t listen to me about the wheel being too small

My sister is 19 and has had hamsters an and off for about 10 years. She recently got a Syrian hamster. The wheel in his cage is only 5.5 inches in diameter. I told her it was way too small and will injure him if he uses it. But because I’ve never had a hamster of my own (I was always a guinea pig person) she thinks I don’t know anything about them. A simple google search and the RSPCA recommendations confirmed my suspicions. Even after showing her what it said on their website and countless other websites she still thinks I’m being ridiculous. She said all of her other hamsters were find with the small wheel. She also said “if that was true then pet shops wouldn’t be allowed to sell them”. I tried explaining that pet shops don’t care and they only want to make money, they don’t care about the animals wellbeing. After all that she still thinks I’m being ridiculous. I’m at a loss. I feel bad for the poor hamster and worry that he might hurt himself on the wheel. The cage is also too small. It’s a pets at home one that has 3 floors, the dimensions are 37.5x47x55cm.
What should I do? I want to do what’s best for the hamster but it’s impossible when she won’t listen to or even consider what I’m saying.
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Old 11-12-2017, 02:05 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Sister won’t listen to me about the wheel being too small

I would just print out the RSPCA recommendations and give them to her, along with the RSPCA sheet explaining the animal welfare act which means owners are responsible for adequate care.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/en...imalwelfareact

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwe...dents/hamsters
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Old 11-12-2017, 02:47 PM   #3
MeganAndMisty
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Default Re: Sister won’t listen to me about the wheel being too small

Maybe you could recommend some youtube video's to her? Erinsanimals has a really good video about small cages and why they're bad for hamsters. She also has a really good video about wheels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkJ3YW27mkk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZj8JT000E
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Old 11-12-2017, 02:58 PM   #4
velma
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Default Re: Sister won’t listen to me about the wheel being too small

I find with a lot of people that they don't like being told off, or to feel like they're being told off as it can make people defensive & not listen so I'd tackle one issue at a time and don't be too preachy about it. Pet shops don't have an obligation to sell the "right" size of anything because there is no right size. And when it comes to wheels there are different sizes because there are different animals. They are exercise wheels not hamster wheels so are there for mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters & gerbils right up to rats, degus & even hedgehogs. There isn't a set size wheel that a hamster requires but they do need to be able to run with a straight back. I've had hamsters on & off for many years & back when I got my first hamsters there really seemed to be only 1 size. I always thought that's how hamsters ran with their noses in the air not that they only run like that if they spine is curving to fit. Maybe you could find some guidelines & print them out. Maybe along with some Guinea pig stiff so it looks like general research. But maybe leave them lying around for her to find & read as she may take it on board if she comes to it in her own way. You know your sister's personality best. Work out what's made her listen - or what's made her switch off - in the past & use that. Good luck!
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Old 11-12-2017, 04:04 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Sister won’t listen to me about the wheel being too small

Maybe you could buy her a wheel And say - see if your hammy likes this - they're supposed to run better in larger wheels and it saves them getting back pain in old age. The cage maybe isn't so bad if the hammy seems happy enough although if it's tall I'd be worried about fall risks.
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Old 11-13-2017, 01:04 PM   #6
SimonandSyril
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Default Re: Sister won’t listen to me about the wheel being too small

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Maybe you could buy her a wheel And say - see if your hammy likes this - they're supposed to run better in larger wheels and it saves them getting back pain in old age. The cage maybe isn't so bad if the hammy seems happy enough although if it's tall I'd be worried about fall risks.
This is a great idea and very similar to mine but I would just sneakily swap them and throw the other one out while she isn't there
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