Wheel dilemma

Sh4dow85 · 01-11-2018, 01:46 PM

I have a bit of a wheel dilemma for my syrian, and I'm hoping you lovely people can help

I have two wheels, a 6.5" silent spinner, and a new 12" saucer. I'm a bit concerned that the silent spinner is a bit small for her, and I've been told that wheels can cause spinal issues - hence the saucer purchase (should be called a dinner plate for how big it is!!). I'd prefer to use the saucer really, but despite greasing it with veg oil, it doesn't spin easily enough for Amber to use it. What am I best doing? Are there any other tricks to make the saucer move more freely? Should I ditch both and buy yet another wheel? I don't want to keep throwing more money at things that don't work

Jeir · 01-11-2018, 01:59 PM

The best wheels to use are up-right ones; the saucers are rarely used by hamsters when they're given a choice, and they don't promote a good running posture. Plus, well, one that would be suitable for a Syrian would simply take up too much floor space, as you've discovered. =D
Also, 6.5inches is simply too small for any but the smallest of Roborovskis; even they prefer a good 8inch wheel. Silent Spinners have also gone downhill over the years, and many hamsters find it impossible to turn them. I had them once, for a couple of hybrids, and the sound of claws tapping on the hard plastic (when they did work) was very loud and made it hard for me to sleep.

If possible, I would recommend returning both wheels and getting one of the following:

I use the Trixie Wooden Exercise Wheel for my Syrian (28cm) and Robo (21cm). They're extremely silent compared to most other wheels, but do need sandpapering and waterproofing with Plasticote.
There's also a plastic version, but it does have a spindle (can trap long fur) and can rattle after extended use. You can also find both of these Trixie wheels on Amazon, I believe.
I believe a lot of users are fond of the Silent Runner wheels. I don't like the available colours, so just stick with the aforementioned wooden wheels, but the Silent Runner does get good reviews by those who use them.

Brianh96 · 01-11-2018, 02:35 PM

as syrians grow(and they grow hellllaa fast) thier surrounding need to fit its needs. my hammy is just over a year old and for the past couple of months hes been on the 8" flying sauser but i noticed his back is starting to curve , so i knew he needed a new wheel. i got him the plastic trixie 12" wheel and even though it hasnt come yet i know hes gonna be in his element. jeir is correct in saying upright wheels are the best solution for all hammys. the idea is `the bigger the better`. i would suggest sticking to the upright wheels. but it its your and your hammys personaly preference .

BethandLil · 01-11-2018, 03:11 PM

I appreciate your frustration at the prospect of having to fork out for yet another wheel but I really think that a good/suitable wheel is one of the most important items for your dear hamster. The Trixie 12" wooden wheel is £9.99 from zooplus, so definitely not breaking the bank! - although you need to make a minimum order of £19 so you could stockpile on other essentials i.e bathing sand, healthy snacks, etc.

Sh4dow85 · 01-11-2018, 03:22 PM

Thanks for all your input - my main frustration is making sure I find the right wheel and not buying another wrong one, more than the cost itself. I'd always put my pet health above my bank balance!

My silent spinner was for my Robo's, hence the size, and any noise isn't really an issue as the cage is downstairs. I'd been told that Syrians shouldn't really have a regular wheel as it can cause spine issues, but it seems people say the same about the saucers... Is that only true if it's too small? I do quite like the wooden trixie wheel, as Amber's other cage bits are wooden (and have been plasti-kote'd) so it'd fit in nicely - just want to make sure I get her the right one, not just the one that looks the best!

Brianh96 · 01-11-2018, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethandLil

I appreciate your frustration at the prospect of having to fork out for yet another wheel but I really think that a good/suitable wheel is one of the most important items for your dear hamster. The Trixie 12" wooden wheel is £9.99 from zooplus, so definitely not breaking the bank! - although you need to make a minimum order of £19 so you could stockpile on other essentials i.e bathing sand, healthy snacks, etc.

i couldnt of said it better myself ,

if you do wanna get bathing sand for him you need to make sure you get the right stuff, whatever you do dont go for bathing dust but instead go for a bathing SAND. some people think you can use chinchilla bath dust, this is wrong;it can cause a heap of trouble of repiratory problems.

pets@home do a sand that is actualy desined for hamsters.

i dont half ramble on but when ya mentioned the sand it peaked my intrest

BethandLil · 01-11-2018, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianh96

i couldnt of said it better myself ,

if you do wanna get bathing sand for him you need to make sure you get the right stuff, whatever you do dont go for bathing dust but instead go for a bathing SAND. some people think you can use chinchilla bath dust, this is wrong;it can cause a heap of trouble of repiratory problems.

pets@home do a sand that is actualy desined for hamsters.

i dont half ramble on but when ya mentioned the sand it peaked my intrest

Yes, good point!

zooplus is selling 4kg of chinchilla sand for £7,99. Bargain!

JR Farm Chinchilla-Sand Special | Free P&P on orders Â£29+ at zooplus!

Brianh96 · 01-11-2018, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethandLil

Yes, good point!

zooplus is selling 4kg of chinchilla sand for £7,99. Bargain!

JR Farm Chinchilla-Sand Special | Free P&P on orders Â£29+ at zooplus!

well i know where im getting my next sand from haha

BethandLil · 01-11-2018, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh4dow85

Thanks for all your input - my main frustration is making sure I find the right wheel and not buying another wrong one, more than the cost itself. I'd always put my pet health above my bank balance

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

A 12" upright wheel would be a good improvement

Jeir · 01-12-2018, 05:47 AM

I've bought that chinchilla 'sand' before, and compared to the Supreme Science/Happy Friends Farm stuff, it's very, very fine - more like dust. I didn't even give it to my hamster in the end. =/
Normal children's play sand is fine for bathing, and works out a lot cheaper than chinchilla sand. The only down side is that it doesn't hold the smell in as well.

Anyway, back on topic: An upright wheel really is the best for a hamster, as long as their spine isn't curved. 12inch/28cm wheels are good for Syrians, while 8inch/20cm ones are good for dwarfs. According to a study I remember reading/hearing about once (and thus I have nothing to back this up, sorry), the bigger the wheel the better; with animals preferring the biggest wheel possible when given an option between several sizes.
With saucers, even if the wheel is the largest size, it can be very hard for a hamster to learn how to run on it properly and many don't; they just curve their spines sideways as they run, as, because of the shape of the wheel, the part of the wheel in front of them isn't flat - their whiskers aren't touching anything on that side, so as far as they're concerned, there's a huge drop there - so, they turn their heads towards where it is flat, their whiskers touch a surface, and thus easier/safer to run on. This is not an issue with upright wheels, as the hamster knows exactly where the running area is because their whiskers always have contact with the running area.
At least, that's what I assumed was happening in their little minds when my hybrids had their saucers.