Removing wheel?

[rkarcheologist]

So my hamster, pumpkin, doesn't like using her wheel for running. Instead she has taken to climbing to the top of it and falling off of it. I have taken the wheel out because I feel for her health. Should I remove it permanently?

Here wheel is a 12in Comfort Wheel

[Bertiebobbins]

No, don't take it out, a wheel is essential for them. Glowy used to do what you describe, he mastered running on top of it in the end! He also likes to stand outside his wheel and pull it round and round rather than go in it.

How old is your ham?

The wheel size obviously isn't a problem. Is the wheel definitely working properly? Might be as well to inspect it thoroughly just to make sure. If she climbs on top of the wheel, is there anything she can get to like an escape route or something? That might explain why she's doing it. If so, maybe repositioning the wheel in the cage would discourage this.

[rkarcheologist]

Originally Posted by Bertiebobbins

No, don't take it out, a wheel is essential for them. Glowy used to do what you describe, he mastered running on top of it in the end! He also likes to stand outside his wheel and pull it round and round rather than go in it.

How old is your ham?

The wheel size obviously isn't a problem. Is the wheel definitely working properly? Might be as well to inspect it thoroughly just to make sure. If she climbs on top of the wheel, is there anything she can get to like an escape route or something? That might explain why she's doing it. If so, maybe repositioning the wheel in the cage would discourage this.

She is 6 months old

It is a tank so she might see that as an escape. The wheel is running smoothly.

I will try repositioning it and see what she does.

I guess my main concern is will the falling cause any damage. I know its not from a fair height but I am still worried.

[xbuttons94]

Maybe put some shredded tissue or extra bedding around her wheel for extra support in case she does fall? When I had my Syrian, she used to prefer to spin the wheel from the outside rather than running in it most of the time, like Bertiebobbins hamster.

[cypher]

I agree it would be best to try to place the wheel somewhere she can't climb up on it & see if she'll begin to use it normally, a ham that young really does need her wheel.
My first Chinese ham went through a phase of piling substrate up next to her wheel so she could run on top of it, they're just a bit weird sometimes lol! but usually get the hang of doing it the right way if you make it harder for them to do daft dangerous things!