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Old 07-10-2021, 06:39 PM   #1
Imogen
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Exclamation Dwarf Hamster - Wheel worries.

Hiya!

A few days ago I posted about my new little addition, a male Russian Dwarf who I ended up calling Oreo.

He is 6 weeks old, so still pretty young - adopted from the pets at home section as he was put there about 2-3 weeks ago apparently from an unexpected/accidental litter of pups so he was around 3-4 weeks old when they got him.

Only 2 days in my care - and seems to settle in well. I would usually leave my hams alone for an entire week but I've hardly seen him (probably literally only 2 times for less than a minute for the last 2 days) so tried giving him a treat earlier and glad to say he actually tried to take it! I put it down after he tried to take it to let him be, but wanted to see he was all well, moving and alert.

I've never seen him on the wheel, except once when I walked in but he was quick to scurry away. But when I saw him it looked like he was having a heck of a lot of trouble moving the thing - it's a 22cm wheel from Amazon. It's that blue and white one that ended up drooping and bashing from my Syrian - however thought it'd do the trick for the little guy since he's only 6 weeks old and a lot lot smaller than my Syrian who is 3 months.

It looked like he was trying his best to move it - running pretty fast. Almost doing a 90 degree turn and couldn't really see it move that easily (when I noticed anyway) and sounded like his little claws were just slipping. But after about 2 tries he noticed me and scurried.

Is this normal for them to look like they have a little bit of trouble to try and move the wheel to start with because they're so small and need further force to make it spin? It is very easy to spin, I can spin it with a gentle tap and flick and it'll spin like 3 times.

I do plan to purchase another wooden trixie wheel as it's wood with a cork grip. But I haven't got the available funds as of yet since I had to go out of my way to purchase £30 bedding alongside when I got him. Need the rest for food, hamster food and vet fund - and I don't start my job until another 3 weeks. So I'm stuck with £6 spare cash. Never owned any species besides a Syrian before, so please do let me know! I know a lot about their care (and all other of ownable species) from 5+ years of study, but when diving into actually owning one and their behaviour and struggles - will need some guidance!
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Last edited by Imogen; 07-10-2021 at 06:46 PM.
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Old 07-12-2021, 12:58 PM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Dwarf Hamster - Wheel worries.

Could you post a photo of the wheel please?
Dwarfs like flying saucers as well so i'd give him one of those as an additional wheel. Maybe he had one in the pet shop and hasn't used an upright wheel before and needs more practising.
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Old 07-12-2021, 03:26 PM   #3
Imogen
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Default Re: Dwarf Hamster - Wheel worries.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
Could you post a photo of the wheel please?
Dwarfs like flying saucers as well so i'd give him one of those as an additional wheel. Maybe he had one in the pet shop and hasn't used an upright wheel before and needs more practising.
It's this exact one at 22cm

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076Q6ML...ing=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 07-12-2021, 03:34 PM   #4
Imogen
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Default Re: Dwarf Hamster - Wheel worries.

Should I just purchase a better upright wheel with grip or a flying saucer wheel?
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Old 07-12-2021, 03:47 PM   #5
Ria P
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Default Re: Dwarf Hamster - Wheel worries.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Imogen View Post
Should I just purchase a better upright wheel with grip or a flying saucer wheel?
An upright wheel. My dwarfs have flying saucers as an additional wheel and they use both. Upright wheels are better for them though.

I know that Pet Ting wheel and have two myself that came with a cage. I'll put one in the playpen to see how the Robos get on with it.
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Old 07-12-2021, 04:39 PM   #6
Imogen
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Default Re: Dwarf Hamster - Wheel worries.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
An upright wheel. My dwarfs have flying saucers as an additional wheel and they use both. Upright wheels are better for them though.

I know that Pet Ting wheel and have two myself that came with a cage. I'll put one in the playpen to see how the Robos get on with it.
Thank you - I'm pretty sure their little feet can't grip and it makes it difficult. It just sounded like clawing - I'm going to order a TRIXIE wooden wheel right now in 21cm so I can make sure to get something that I know works.
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