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Old 04-28-2022, 11:50 PM   #1
gamegrl
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 11
Smile why doesn't my hamster run in his wheel very often?

i have a syrian hamster, he is about 8 months old, give or take.
he is a very sweet and healthy hamster, very tame and playful and loves to cuddle (my partner and i can even take naps with him together!) im not worried about this, though i am curious: why doesnt he use his wheel as often as my other hamsters have? its not that he NEVER uses it, every day ill catch him running in it for about 5-10 minutes, but that seems to be all he does, and its all hes ever done ever since i got him.

he will run around and play outside of the cage, but in his cage he seems to be much calmer and more interested in chewing on his toilet paper tubes and cleaning in his sand bath, he's never shown any signs of stress, so i don't think this low interest in running in his wheel is due to any underlying illness or boredom. the wheel is also big enough for him (12 inches) and his weight is good, his coat is healthy, he eats and drinks the way a hamster should and he loves to play. is it possible maybe hes just lazy? again, im not worried for him, but ive never had a hamster be as relaxed as he is!
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Old 04-29-2022, 12:12 AM   #2
Lilafernim
Senior Hamster
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 409
Default Re: why doesn't my hamster run in his wheel very often?

It may be case you don’t see him in his wheel. My hamster generally wakes up around 8-9pm and she’ll come say hello, be in a bit of a strop and have a run around my room, then if I put her back after a while she just goes back to bed. The next time she wakes up again she uses the wheel then, almost as if now she’s fully rested and done all her stretches and is now ready.

She’s funny as well because I woke up at 6am today and caught her still up, she’s so lovely cuddly once she’s got all her energy out! A little moody thing when she first wakes up lol
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Old 04-29-2022, 12:15 AM   #3
Lilafernim
Senior Hamster
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 409
Default Re: why doesn't my hamster run in his wheel very often?

I just thought I’d add just in case, make sure their wheel is actually spinning, if it clips to the cage make sure it’s not too high, and 28cm minimum. It’s probably like I said you just don’t see them in the wheel but I have to add this or it’ll bother me I didn’t say it.
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Old 04-29-2022, 01:38 AM   #4
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: why doesn't my hamster run in his wheel very often?

I have a Syrian like that. He loves out of cage time, runs around and plays And he runs on various wheels i have in the hamster free roaming areas But in his cage i very rarely see him using his wheel. He does other things and may use it when i'm asleep.

I'd get an inexpensive spare wheel like a 28cm Trixie wheel for out of cage time but keep his regular wheel in his cage. Chances are that he'll use it.

He's not lazy and sounds absolutely lovely.
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Old 04-29-2022, 07:07 AM   #5
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: why doesn't my hamster run in his wheel very often?

They normally run in it at night a lot, after dark You can test this by putting a bit of substrate on top before you go to bed and see if it's gone in the morning. Raffy's current wheel is very noisy so I can hear he's using it in the night lol.

But yes also check it's spinning properly. Some hamsters will only use it regularly after dark when no one is around. And are more interested in food, foraging and interaction at other times. They are at their most active during the night - which is their day really - their peak time when they have the most energy to burn off. They'd be running up to 10 miles at night in the wild, seeking food and forage.
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Old 04-29-2022, 08:49 AM   #6
Chesterspal
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 126
Default Re: why doesn't my hamster run in his wheel very often?

I'd also make sure the wheel spins freely and easily.

The 12" Kaylee I bought for my Syrian had a great "bowl" shape to prevent him from being flung out but the bearing design was lacking. Lots of effort needed to make it spin and it wobbled like crazy.

I redesigned it using commercial ball bearings (I posted about that here) and the result was night and day. Smooth as silk and very fast, too.

My guy runs at least 8 miles every night.

Check that wheel.
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Old 04-29-2022, 09:52 AM   #7
Pebbles82
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: why doesn't my hamster run in his wheel very often?

Could you link where you adapted it please? I must have missed that. I assume it's the 12" Kaytee Silent Spinner? That has had a known issue since manufacturing changed a few years ago, whereby it just wouldn't spin! They really should have sorted it themselves as not fit for purpose. If you can fix the bearings then they should have been able to!
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Old 04-29-2022, 10:12 AM   #8
Chesterspal
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Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: USA
Posts: 126
Default Re: why doesn't my hamster run in his wheel very often?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Could you link where you adapted it please? I must have missed that.
Wheel of Fortune
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