Hello I'm Liz

[Lizchewy]

Thank you Cypher! Perhaps he does need a bit more time. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get him out at all for a play this evening. He looks out of his sleeping area but wont leave his nest. So I just put some cucumber in the doorway and he took it in. I've left treats around the cage so I can see in the morning if he has taken them. He used to come out and see me lots but now he either is in a mood about the change/ loves his new bigger nest so much he wants to stay there/ or because it has suddenly got colder he is sleeping more. Ive read they do that. But it's cold outside not in the house with the heating but does that not matter, do they just instinctively know when its Winter outside even though they are inside? I'm saving a piece of Chicken to try and tempt him out tomorrow. He didnt even wee in his sandbath last night and on last inspection house was dry so I need to find this elusive new wee spot. There is a lot of aspen to sniff!

[Pebbles82]

"so the small corner tray I was expecting is actually the size of my head"

That really made me laugh! I get this one - it's just the right size for a Syrian

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Corn...576994&sr=8-10

Yes he probably just needs a few nights to adjust to his new house and routine - he'll be fine in a week's time. Great that he's moved into the house!

This is the Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner upright wheel - how confusing that there is a flying saucer called a silent runner as well! I think if Exotic Nutrition find out they may sue them for using the name!

For an upright wheel it's one of the best but not cheap. Totally silent, spins really well, safe and sturdy and not bulky depthwise. I find they last much longer than other wheels as well and you can get a cage mounting attachment as well instead of the stand (I use that as I can then have the wheel higher up above the substrate).

https://sugarglidershop.co.uk/produc...nner-12-wheel/

The other silent upright wheel that's popular is much cheaper - and has a cork running surface - nice for their feet. It does need painting with plastikote really though - inside at least and on the running track - so it's wipe clean or they can get stinky. The 28cm size is the right size for a syrian.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small..._wheels/609617

Cheapest option is the plastic trixie wheel which is very popular. Not silent but most people find it quiet.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-6101...5577527&sr=8-1

If you have room in the cage he'd probably appreciate both an upright wheel and the flying saucer - but you probably haven't now the house is at floor level. Yes it is because the old wheel was too small that he wouldn't use it I bet - that is common - it can be uncomfortable for them if its too small and cause back pain.

Personally I would swap out the flying saucer for an upright wheel and keep the flying saucer for the playpen if no room in the cage, but he'll be fine for a while.

[Lizchewy]

Thank you for the links Serendipity! Do you find that the corner potty you linked for me fits in your shoebox house or do you use it in a corner of the cage instead? I noticed bit of wee in the sandbath again this morning so I'm hoping this is Chewys new potty area as it will be easy to seive out the clumps. I've looked at the links for the wheels you sent me. I'm thinking, as it's my birthday in a couple of weeks and I know I'm getting a little bit of money I may splash out on the exotic nutrition wheel then. Then I'll put it in his playpen like Ria suggested for about a week I think just to make sure he really likes it and then I will swop the wheels over so the flying saucer will then be a playpen toy. It will give more room in the cage as well. I've worked out I'll have to take the top shelf out of the cage to fit it in but he doesn't really use that shelf much anyway and he will still have the lower shelf which he likes and is starting to use as extra food storage space. I think I can still use my rat tunnel but have it going at an angle to the hanging Sputnik. I'll be able to fit in more toys then too!! Homemade out of cardboard I think as I have plenty of that. Last night I got up about 2 am and still no sign of Chewy but this morning when I woke my son up at 7 I could see great big swirls in the sandbath and all the treats were gone. I let out a little cheer and Chewy shot out of his house and straight over to me. I didnt have any treats to hand so I just picked a tiny bit of hamster mix out of his food bowl and he ran over and took that from me. I stroked his paws and he was sniffing me and seemed excited so I think we are friends again! I was so tempted to high five him but I didn't. Hopefully he will come out to the playpen tonight as my son has done a wild west theme with a little wagon ( which doubles as a hideout) and Aspen haystack amongst the tunnels and boxes. There is also a dinosaur thrown in. Exciting!

[Lizchewy]

Hello again Serendipity. I just saw you post a pic of your cage on another thread but didnt want to hijack that thread with my own question so asking on here instead.....it looks like you have the savic plaza which is what I have. Is that Cardboard I see lining the inside of the cage in order to get deeper substrate? I was thinking of tying cardboard to the outside of mine but it looks like you have tucked it inside the cage? I'm thinking this is a good idea for Chewy. Also I see you have the same rat tunnel as me (the straight one). Is the other one curved?and does it attach or have you just put them very close together? I have a sputnik too see and I'm thinking I could do similar to your cage for Chewy when I swop his wheel over.