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Old 11-12-2021, 12:25 PM   #1
ccot2020
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 19
Exclamation Hamster won't use new wheel

Hello!
I am having a little bit of an issue with a new wheel. I bought my Robo hamster Star a niteangle wheel because she originally had a silent spinner but it was unstable and would topple over or make weird noises. After doing research I found that a niteangle wheel was a great option and bigger than the original wheel.

However, she hasn't been using it, I have tried to put seeds on the wheel and she will get on it and take the seed and run off, but she won't run on the wheel.

What should I do or is this just because she isn't used to this wheel yet?

I am pretty bummed as this wheel was quite expensive.
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Old 11-13-2021, 06:10 AM   #2
Ria P
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Hamster won't use new wheel

That is strange but are you sure that she isn't using it when you are asleep? Most hamster run at night.

Is it the 8.3in wheel which would be a good size for a Robo and should be easy to turn?

I did have a tiny dwarf who did not like and would not use her new, bigger wheel. She used it as a toilet instead. Soon as i put her old silent spinner back in she was running again and peed in her toilet.

I would put both wheels in because sometimes they can get very annoyed when we take something away. Once she realizes that the new wheel is far better than the old one she may use it.

If you have a barred cage you can attach the silent spinner to stop it from falling over or put it into sand for stability.
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Old 11-13-2021, 11:17 AM   #3
ccot2020
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Join Date: Oct 2021
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Default Re: Hamster won't use new wheel

Hey, it is weird! I have put bedding on top of the wheel and it is still there in the morning so I don't think she is using it. I put in her old wheel and woke up to her running on it last night. I will try for a few more days put the most important thing is she's happy so if she doesn't start to use the new wheel I guess I have to keep the old one.

Yeah, the wheel is the Niteangle 8.3in and is super easy to turn.

Did your dwarf ever use the new wheel?
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Old 11-13-2021, 01:11 PM   #4
Lilafernim
Senior Hamster
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 409
Default Re: Hamster won't use new wheel

Just a suggestion as well (never had this before so I would suggest following Ria’s advice) but normally things have a month you can return the product in if you’re unhappy for any reason. Obviously it’s up to the seller as it’s not actually broken they may say no. But if your hammie never does end up using it you could always just ask and then you haven’t lost any money.
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Old 11-13-2021, 01:59 PM   #5
Ria P
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Location: Wiltshire, UK
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Default Re: Hamster won't use new wheel

I'd love a Niteangel wheel but shipping to the UK costs the same as the wheel.

My dwarf kept her old wheel as there was no point in arguing with Clarissa. She had her own ideas about things. It was the same with her sandpit which had to be what and where she wanted it.

I'd leave the new wheel in. Another thing you could try is to clean the old wheel. Maybe she runs on the old wheel because it has her scent on it.

The silent spinner has a design fault which is easily sorted. I put stickers on the small gaps on the running surface so tiny toes don't get trapped.
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Old 11-13-2021, 06:32 PM   #6
ccot2020
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Default Re: Hamster won't use new wheel

Thank you guys!
I am gonna keep it in tonight without the old wheel, I don't really know why she seems scared of this new wheel.... we will see how it goes this week and maybe she'll use it who knows. I am also sure a new object is a bit distressing to her .

If not i will definitely return it
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Old 11-15-2021, 05:27 AM   #7
Fluffagrams
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Location: Bath, UK
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Default Re: Hamster won't use new wheel

It's not a wheel I'm familiar with but I wonder if she finds it a bit heavier than her older wheel and therefore it requires more effort for her to use?

I know it probably sounds a bit strange, particularly as we're often told that it's better to go for a bigger wheel but I once had a small chinese hamster who would never use the 8in wheels but seemed happy enough with a 6in Silent Spinner. It wasn't until I watched her during playtime one day that I realised that she was having to put more effort into running on the larger wheel.

Do you give your hamster any out of cage time in a playpen or playbox? Sometimes I'll introduce new toys to my hamsters at playtime so that they've not got the upset of having a strange object in their cage and can get used to it in a more neutral territory.
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Old 11-16-2021, 10:40 PM   #8
ccot2020
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Join Date: Oct 2021
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Default Re: Hamster won't use new wheel

just a little update! Star has now started to use the wheel like she used to use her old one. I was really hesitant on placing the old wheel back into the cage due to the instability issues with it I was afraid of her getting hurt on the old one (a silent spinner). I am so thankful for all your help and I would definitely recommend this wheel if you can get your hands on it. For the concern of her not being able to spin the wheel this wheel actually spins super easily and she seems to be running much faster on this one but I really appreciate the concern
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Old 11-17-2021, 06:32 AM   #9
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hamster won't use new wheel

Glad it worked out. I think Ria had it with the scent. It's the same if you clean an existing wheel, they often won't use it at first as it doesn't smell familiar. I've usually found putting something really tempting in there that's smelly, like a bit of cheese, gets them using it.
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