Stopped going in wheel

[rosie]

We have a long haired syrian hamster male, around 5 months old called Jerry. We've had him since he was 4 weeks old, he is very tame and gets played with at least 4-5 times a week.
He used to go in his wheel a lot, but he doesn't seem interested in it any more. He walks near it, sniffs it and walks away. I'm used to waking up in the night and hearing him, but I haven't heard him running in his wheel for about a week. I know it i still possible he is going in it but at least not as much as he used to go in it.
We took him away with us 2 weeks ago for a week in his usual cage and it seemed to disorientate him a little (he started going to the toilet in the wrong area) but he still definitely was going in his wheel.

Is this 'normal' or do you think there might be something wrong?

[souffle]

Hi Rosie and welcome. It is not unusual for hamsters to stop wheel running so much as they mature and the novelty wears off so I would not worry too much. Unless he seems lethergic and ill in some way he is likely just happy doing hamstery things in his cage. You need to check the size of his wheel to ensure he is comfortable running. The wheels which come with most commercial cages are not large enough for an adult syrian. When he runs his back should not touch the spindle and he should not arch his back at all. If it touches the spindle fur can catch and pull out and hurt him. As he is long hared it may well be pulling. Look at his back for signs of fur loss and check the spindle for a knot of fur wound round it then you will know. Good wheels for a syrian should be about 8in diameter and include the Savic Jumbo Rolly rat wheel available with stand from P@H, the Wodent wheel which some hammies do not like as it is enclosed but ours love and the large comfort wheel all of which you can get on the internet. If your wheel squeaks he may be having trouble moving it so you can lubricate it with some veg. oil but wipe it off with a tissue or else he will get greasy. Check it does not clunk on the bars or floor and is running level when his weight is on it. He may just enjoy his other toys now and if you give him tubes/ houses/ cardboard boxes and hide his food around the cage he will get plenty excercise. Whe he is out allow him to scramble on the bed and sofa and stair climb. I am sure he is quite happy but if he seems poorly you should off course see a vet.

[rosie]

Thank you for the reply. He has new wheel about 3 months ago but it is possible it is now too small for him as he has grown so much so fast.
He appears to be healthy and runs around a lot in his tubes and up and down his cage (it has 3 levels) so perhaps he isn't as interested in the wheel as he was before.
I'll let you know how we get on with a new bigger wheel,
Many thanks!