Does your hammy like using the wheel?

[michyLS]

I took Arlo's wheel out as he seemed to only sit on it then get off! I put a chunky card tube in which he would go in and out of now and then. But I'm wondering if I should have left the wheel in , maybe he does use it at night time. The wheel is large and free standig so takes up a large bit of space- do most hammies use their wheels?! I've not seen him use it once yet but we've only had him a week or so!
Sorry for all the daft questions this is all new to me and I'm still learning! Just want my hammy to be happy!

[M3gan]

I would definitely put the wheel back in! My Syrian boy sounds jsut like your hammy, sits, eats but never runs. But if I ever get up durning the night, without fail he is running! You'd be surprised what they get up to.

[Pebbles82]

Hammies should always have a wheel He needs the option to use it when he wants - our hamster only ever uses it after we've gone to bed. It's about the only real exercise they get and they really need to exercise. Try putting a bit of substrate on top of it before you go to bed and see if it's gone in the morning - I bet it has! Sometimes our hammy wouldn't use his wheel for about a week after it had been cleaned because it smelled different, but I followed a tip to put a treat in it and he started using it again.

Wheels do take up a bit of space and it's partly why bigger cages are easier to set up. What cage have you got for him? If it's a bit on the small side then upgrading it or making a bin cage could be an option. They need a lot of space.

[SKB_Hamsters]

I also would recommend leaving the wheel in as hamster should have access to a wheel, especially considering how far they actually would run a night in the wild. some hamsters prefer to use there wheel when it's dark and when they think no one is around. I have had some hamsters who prefer to run around in there cage instead of there wheel but I think this depends upon the hamster to.

Also some hamsters need a bit of practice on their wheel as they seem a little unsure with them at first especially if they haven't had one before. Maybe it might be an idea to rub some of his substrate in his wheel so it get some of his scent in the wheel so it smells like him.

Serendipity7000 idea of putting a piece of bedding on top is a good idea to see if he using it

[cypher]

I've never had a russian who didn't just love their wheel!
They may sit in it, sleep in it or even eat in it but they also love to run in it & really need the exercise it provides.
Some hams do prefer to do their running in private & may wait until you go to bed so I would most definitely keep the wheel in.
In the wild they walk & run miles every night in search of food & we need to give them something that mimics that kind of activity.

[flowerfairy]

My roborovskis love their 8 inch karlie wooden wheels from zooplus. All my syrians have 11 inch wheels which they use a lot.

Is the wheel spinning freely? If so then there is no reason why they cant use it. Serendipity's trick with the substrate sounds like a good plan

[michyLS]

Thank you! His cage isn't teeny, I just thought if he wasn't using the wheel it's a waste of space but I'll leave it in and encourage him to use it- I'm wondering if it's not spinning as freely as it should so maybe I'll get another one or see if the other ones in the pet shop spin more freely.
I rested a piece of toilet paper on top of the wheel last night and it was still there this morning!

[cypher]

Which wheel is it?
If it's a silent spinner that could be the problem, since they redesigned them they don't work properly!

[Pebbles82]

Hmm! What wheel is it? Silent Spinners have had issues with not spinning properly and being too hard to "push". Posted at the same time as Cypher lol!

[Pebbles82]

If it is a silent spinner I would suggest taking it back for a refund and tell them it doesn't spin very well. You could then get one of the 8" wheels - either the Trixie wheel, karlie wonderland wood wheel, wodent wheel or 9" silent runner. The trixie is the cheapest, the karlie wheel might need some light sanding, wodent wheels are usually quiet. I love the silent runner wheel though - it's light and spins really well and is silent - it's not cheap though - about £20 for the 9" one. A few people have the 9" ones for dwarf hammies.

Silent Runner 9"

Out of those I'd go with either the trixie or the Silent runner. I think the Silent runner is better value for money than the wodent wheel, but if you don't mind a bit of light sanding and painting with plastikote, the karlie wheel is good too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Exer...m+trixie+wheel

20cm Karlie wheel (the 15cm is too small)

Wonderland Exercise Wheel: Great Small Pet Accessories at zooplus