Exercise wheels

essexgirl240 · 11-13-2014, 02:58 PM

So we wanted to get Biscuit a new exercise wheel today because the one that came with her cage is too small for her (even though she LOVES it). Anyway, my fiance went down to the pet shop to find her a new wheel today but the staff encouraged him to buy a flying saucer instead as these are better for them with regard to their backs and hamsters apparently love them.

So we removed her old wheel from her cage today and replaced it with the flying saucer. We had to rearrange her a cage a little due to the size of it (her cage is a bit on the small side, we're planning on getting a bigger one around xmas time). Well she took one look at this flying saucer and it was like she didn't know what to do with it, (she did have a flying saucer in the cage she was in when we got her). She tried it out but just kept falling off it I don't think she liked it at all and as soon as we put her old wheel back she jumped straight on it and was much happier.

Just wondered what other people's experiences/opinions are on exercise wheels vs. flying saucers?

BilboOlaf · 11-13-2014, 03:17 PM

Pets at home tried to sell me a flying saucer, but I was put off by the size of it! I bought a Trixie 28cm wheel and Bilbo loves it. It takes up much less room in the cage, and the front section stops him falling out at high speed!

velma · 11-13-2014, 03:23 PM

My robo has a flying saucer in his playtub which he really likes but he often runs too quick & ends up firing himself off (he's never hurt himself or looked dizzy) so for him I would be hesitant at having that as his main wheel. Also, the size of them doesn't make best use of the space in the cage unless you have a whopper (like a detolf or something like that). I think health wise, the saucer & regular upright wheels have the same problem - too small of either can cause spinal problems so I think getting the right size for your hamster is the most important element of your choice of wheel.

essexgirl240 · 11-13-2014, 03:36 PM

Great, thanks for the advice. Also, how long do you normally let your hammys run around in an exercise ball for? Biscuit loves coming out into her ball but I've read a lot online about not putting them in them for too long at a time due to risk of dehydration and overheating because of the poor ventilation. But everytime i put Biscuit back in her cage she runs around like a lunatic and if I'm sitting near her cage she will come over to the bars and look through them at me like she wants to come back out.

I feel bad putting her back when she hasn't had enough yet but I'm worried about leaving her in her ball for too long. I need to find a big box or play pen for her to come out into.

Skeever · 11-13-2014, 03:51 PM

Same hams take a day or two learning how a spinner works. As for ball time, when I have a ham that doesn't want to give up playing in the ball, I make a point of interuppting them and seeing if they're okay....if they are gung ho for more rolling, I give them a few sips from a water bottle, while they're in the ball. Most times though, they come out, will go into their cage to drink and come back out.

Let's just say that Pook has a future in Hamster Balls Anonymous......

essexgirl240 · 11-13-2014, 04:03 PM

Haha glad its not just my little hammy getting addicted to her exercise ball lol

She just makes me feel so guilty when she looks at me like this....

image1 (4).jpg

NiceCrocs · 11-13-2014, 05:57 PM

It's actually not true that flying saucers are better for their backs; pet shop employees sometimes THINK so, because they advertise the wrong size wheels for Syrians! A wheel that's big enough is just as good as a flying saucer.

As for my experiences, Margo (syrian) used a medium sized one for about a week while I was waiting for her Wodent Wheel to be delivered. The first time she tried it she sorta tumbled off, but after a few minutes she got the hang of it and used it lots. It squeaked pretty loudly though and I could never get it to stop.

When I got Lucy (roborovski), she got to pick between a flying saucer and a silent spinner; i put them both in her tank for several days. She chose the saucer; I didn't see her use the spinner once! So now she has it all the time, and uses if for hours at a time. She's small enough that it doesn't squeak when she uses it

Pumpkinsmom · 11-13-2014, 06:45 PM

When I got Pumpkin, I bought a saucer like he had at the pet store and he loves it. It's too small for him though, so I took it out and just let him have it once in a while. He uses a Wodent Wheel now. I wish they made a silent spinner in between the medium sized and the giant, because the medium is too small and the giant doesn't fit in the cage.

essexgirl240 · 11-14-2014, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkinsmom

When I got Pumpkin, I bought a saucer like he had at the pet store and he loves it. It's too small for him though, so I took it out and just let him have it once in a while. He uses a Wodent Wheel now. I wish they made a silent spinner in between the medium sized and the giant, because the medium is too small and the giant doesn't fit in the cage.

I think I'm going to have the same problem, I'm looking at them online now and the medium one looks the same size as the current wheel she has but i'm not sure the giant would fit

Pumpkinsmom · 11-14-2014, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by essexgirl240

I think I'm going to have the same problem, I'm looking at them online now and the medium one looks the same size as the current wheel she has but i'm not sure the giant would fit

The junior Wodent Wheel is kind of in between and fits in my cage. You guys in the UK seem to have a better selection of wheels than we have in the US. There is a nice wooden wheel (Karlie?) that looks like a good size for a Syrian.