Wierd smelling trixie wheel

Jennie F · 03-08-2017, 01:59 PM

Hi everyone.

So I got the large trixie wheel about 2 weeks ago and Khali loves it. Last night I noticed that Khali was rubbing herself against the inside of the wheel and other things in her playpen, which I thought she might just be putting her scent on ( even though her playpen has been up for a week). However tonight, she has just been in the trixie wheel for a short while before I got a whiff of a REALLY strong plastic smell. It kind of smells like burning plastic (surely she isnt running THAT fast?!) I immediately got Khali out of the wheel, back into her ball and out of the playpen back into her cage.

Im really concerned about the wheel. It smells SO bad. I dont think she has peed in it, as it smells completely different. Has anyone else had this problem and what would you recommend? I am just going to disinfect it and then rinse it a few times to see if it gets rid of the smell.

Ive also noticed a few places on Khalis few look slightly more pink that her blonde colour. The wheel is red so could this be linked?

SKB_Hamsters · 03-08-2017, 04:01 PM

That's very strange - I have the same wheel for my Syrian and haven't experience this problem. The only thing I could possibly think of is the plastic from the wheel might be rubbing on the metal stopper on the wheel spindle, as mine used to rub a little making the wheel stiff.

How long have you had the wheel for?

Drago · 03-08-2017, 04:04 PM

Some wheels that have been recently manufactured can have that "new plastic smell" and it can be quite pungent! Try rinsing it off and then leave it be after that so it can lose its scent over time. The red is unusually for a wheel, are there any other red colored wooden toys in her cage? It could be the dyes in these staining her fur

Jennie F · 03-08-2017, 04:23 PM

I am so confused where this smell is coming from. Its definately not a new plastic smell ( I like that smell). I have rinsed the wheel and sprayed with disinfectantant then rinsed again . Ive then let the wheel dry and tested it by spinning it at the speed she runs at and got no smell ( previously when i spun the wheel the smell would be quite strong) Ive just put it back in the playden and she has jumped right on it, still rubbing her sides on it and then I got another whiff of that smell again. Ive put her back in the cage but when I sniff the wheel it doesnt smell, but the ball does after i put her in to carry to the cage. Could it possibly have something to do with her rubbing against stuff, maybe scenting all of a sudden? She also rubbed against a carboard box in there but i havent sniffed that yet haha. I feel like I'm going nuts trying to figure out what it is. She has been in the ball while ive washed the wheel and it didnt smell of anything after she got out. And she has been out for a little play on my lap as well and my hands dont smell. So so confused....

Ive had the wheel since the end of feb/first few days of march but she didnt start using it until last Thursday. There are no other red things in the playpen or cage

Drago · 03-08-2017, 04:33 PM

Sometimes females in heat can have a very strong smell. Some have described it to me as burning rubber/plastic, others say it smells musky, but I think weirdly enough, that it smells like chicken! I'm not sure that her being in heat is what it actually is, but it's worth looking at

Jennie F · 03-08-2017, 04:38 PM

She definately doesnt smell like chicken haha. She is only about 14 weeks old. How often would she be in heat so I can get a damn peg for my nose if thats what it is? I only noticed the rubbing last night. Really strange I can only smell it in the wheel or the ball after the wheel and not when she has just been in the ball. Ive also noticed she isnt eating her daily veg when i put it in but straight away pouching it all then taking it to her nest

Jennie F · 03-08-2017, 05:14 PM

Well now I feel stupid haha. Just sniffed the hamster (to be honest was probably the first thing I should have sniffed instead of walking round my flat for the last 2 hours sniffing everything like a dog) and yup, she pongs. So she smells like burnt plastic. Well, guess I learnt something new today. That I better get used to that burnt plastic smell. Although I do wonder why Ive never smelt it before...

Jennie F · 03-08-2017, 05:16 PM

P.S never thought I would actually type "just sniffed my hamster". Bloody hell what is my life now? Hahaha crazy hamster sniffer ��

Drago · 03-08-2017, 07:33 PM

Oh yes females definitely can smell pretty strongly! That's mainly why I stick to males now

you'll get used to it though!

Jennie F · 03-09-2017, 12:41 AM

My flat absolutely stinks haha. Had to spray loads of airfreshner in my bedroom last night and hallway ( dont worry she is in the living room) and ive opened a window this morning haha. Her new nickname is pongu haha