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Old 02-21-2019, 02:51 AM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Not using wheel?

The 12" silent spinner (that's spinner, not "runner") can actually have some issues with spinning properly, so check that it spins freely. It can be too difficult for hamsters to push. It's a total pain - they had a manufacturing change a couple of years ago and it hasn't been a free spinning wheel since then. If yours spins easily and freely then fine. If it stops easily when you try and spin it then it will be hard work to run in. You would be better with one of these. The first two are cheap. The wood one is silent but the plastic one isn't although most people don't find it noisy - it spins well though. The wood one needs painting with plastikote water based enamel paint though to waterproof it or it gets stinky. About the best wheel you can get is the "Silent Runner" (that's runner not "spinner" ). Which is silent and spins really easily and has a safe sturdy stand. But it is quite tall at 35cm. It can also be attached to the bars instead so you can have it wherever you want in a cage, but the bar attachments cost extra and it's not a cheap wheel.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Exer...xie+28cm+wheel

28cm wood trixie wheel

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

Silent "Runner"

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

Generally though, assuming a wheel is working ok, they will decide for themselves if they need exercise so don't worry if they don't use the wheel much - as they do use it at night. They need mental stimulation as well as physical and enjoy doing other things in the cage like foraging and enjoying sitting and grooming or pushing substrate around. But they do need some out of cage time every few days usually.
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