Hamster will only use old small wheel?!

HamMother · 03-18-2019, 02:08 PM

Hi!!!

I've recently got a new hamster, Norman, I've had two others that were souly mine but they never enjoyed using a wheel. Norman though, loves it. When he started using it I noticed his back wasn't straight so I went to the store and got him a new one asap but he won't use it!!! I left it in for a week but started to feel bad becasue I knew how much he enjoyed the other. As soon as I put the old one back in he was running again. I'm really confused becasue I thought they wouldn't run on something that was hurting them, but he seems to run just fine even thought it looks really small for him. Do you guys have any idea why he hated the other?? What can I do to make him use the new one??

alpacassei · 03-18-2019, 02:50 PM

Is the new one loud or difficult to spin? Does it have a textured running surface? Those are the nost common issues i can think of.

Are they both upright wheels or is one a saucer type? I’ve had 3 hamsters now that refuse to use anything but a flying saucer

cypher · 03-18-2019, 02:52 PM

Which wheel did you get? Some like the silent spinner can be hard for them to turn so it may be something like that.

HamMother · 03-18-2019, 03:37 PM

The one he has at the moment is really really loud. I can hear it squeaking away as I'm replying, so I'm not sure that's it. I got the new one from a pet store not sure the brand but it isn't textured and seems to be a lot nicer than the old one

I was considering getting him a saucer type but thought it might confuse him as his normal one is just a standard wheel. when I put it in I made sure it would spin still so he'd be able to move it. Do you think its possibly becasue it's not placed where the old one is? It wouldn't fit there so I had to put it in a different part if his cage, maybe he doesn't like where it is? Haha

Pebbles82 · 03-18-2019, 03:40 PM

I was going to say that too Cypher

If it's the 12" silent spinner they find it really hard to push - it really isn't a great wheel! I'd take it back for a refund, whichever wheel it is. Get the 12" Silent "Runner" - all hamsters love that - it's silent, spins really easily and well.

If you're in the US it's sold by Exotic Nutrition (who make it). If you're in the Uk it's sold by the sugar glider shop.

Also it could be your hamster maybe doesn't feel safe in the new wheel if it's a wire one or something. The metal wheels aren't safe and can hurt their feet and cause injuries.

The Silent Runner is quite tall - 35cm tall on its stand, so if that doesn't fit then an 11" wodent wheel would be a good option. Exotic nutrition sell those too.

But the silent runner is a great wheel - had mine over 2 years and it's the only one I've had that hasn't broken. It also has a very safe sturdy metal stand.

https://www.exoticnutrition.com/Prod...r)__43673.aspx

Note it's Silent "Runner" not "Silent Spinner" (the silent "Spinner isn't silent either!)