Hamster wheel with nail trimming track

ShanRICK · 08-04-2016, 04:31 PM

I'm interested in buying a new wheel with a sandpaper insert to trim my hamsters nails as I've noticed they are getting pretty long.

The only wheels I know that have this are Wodent wheels and silent runners. Are there any other options out there?

Also, can anyone suggest where I can order one to the UK? There seems to be very limited options. I was going to go for a Wodent wheel but it's out of stock on Sugarglidershop. I will also consider the silent runner since it seems to be very highly rated, however altogether with the wheel and the sandy track it's over £30 which is a little expensive, particularly as there's a chance my fussy ham won't like it. Also it is an extra inch in size making it a little bigger in the cage, and I don't need anything too big as I have a robo.

Anyway, thanks in advance. I'd appreciate any advise or suggestions with which wheel to go for and where I can purchase one

AmityvilleHams · 08-04-2016, 04:36 PM

A resin reptile cave or something similar would be safer,since it wouldn't be used constantly and therefore risks of injury would be relatively minimal in comparison.There are also options like just having rock in the cage,but the good thing about these sorts of things is that while they might take up a bit more space in some ways they can double up as a feeding station or platform!

ShanRICK · 08-04-2016, 04:47 PM

Thanks for the advise. I've been meaning to also place a stone under her water bottle holder to help file down her nails. Would resin material be coarse enough to file down nails? I have a resin reptile bowl but it feels quite smooth to me. I like the idea of the resin cave though regardless, especially the idea of using it as a platform so thanks for that

AmityvilleHams · 08-04-2016, 04:53 PM

It depends on the resin,some resin things are somewhat rough on the outside but smooth on the inside,while others are entirely smooth!For the most part with resin it is rough enough to keep nails filed down,but it is also completely safe as long as you make sure there aren't any sharp edges or things like that.

cypher · 08-04-2016, 09:28 PM

Stones, granite, resin & all the other things people suggest really don't seem to make any impact at all on my dwarf hams nails, Chinese don't grow quite so fast as Russian nails but I would imagine a robo would be similar.
The only thing I've found that helps just a little is to line an egg box with sand paper then they use that to dig around in for treats, the sand bath probably helps a bit too but not a lot.
I use the Silent runner wheel & highly recommend them for dwarf hams, mine all love them. I have used the sandy track with one ham, the others don't need it yet, & even if used just for a really short period, maybe 15-20 mins max every 2 or 3 weeks it does make a difference.

CMB · 08-05-2016, 01:17 AM

Cypher. Would it be safe to cut a sheet of sand paper to fit the wheel shanrick already has?

souffle · 08-05-2016, 01:29 AM

I don't recommend sandpaper for hamster wheels as it can damage the little pads on the feet. Hamster feet are not like rats / gliders feet in structure.
You are better to learn to clip the nails yourself or ask the vet to do it or show you how to do it.
If you do use it use like Cypher for only a short supervised time I'd say.

cypher · 08-05-2016, 02:00 AM

I agree with souffle about sandpaper on wheels, it is much too harsh for their feet, the track you can get for the silent runner isn't as coarse as sand paper but even that I would only suggest minimal use really.
I've found the sand paper in the egg box (I put some substrate on top & just put a little food or some seeds in now & then) is fine as their feet aren't on the paper too much & as they dig around in it their nails get a little bit of a trim, I've lined cardboard tubes with sand paper too.
I've always struggled to clip their nails myself, if you have someone to help it shouldn't be too hard though but if it's needed it's a relatively stress free job at a vets.

ShanRICK · 08-07-2016, 04:12 AM

Thank you for all the advise!
I have now included some stones in my hamster cage. I completely forgot that I had collected a whole bunch of nice sized smooth stones from when I went to the beach so I sterilised then and have put them inside. Although I'm not sure whether they will help file down her nails since so far all she's done is peed on one of them xD. I will also include some resin reptile items since I think they look good anyway.

I think I'm definitely going to have to book nail trimming with the vet and get them to show me how to do it. I just spotted how long her claws are and they do look very long. Does anyone know roughly how much it costs at the vets?

One problem I have though is my hamster is still not very tame. Unfortunately she usually gets up around 11 which is the time I'm going to bed so I rarely get to spend any time with her. She will eat food from my fingers and I can very lightly stroke her but if I do it for too long she runs away. I'm pretty sure she will very cross if I hold her for too long if I need to clip her nails in the future.

Pebbles82 · 08-07-2016, 06:48 AM

Hi I wouldn't use a sandy track either. Having a nail clip at the vets sounds good if she isn't that tame. It helps to have someone show you how to do it too as it's important not to cut the quick - so you just take the very tips off really. I've only managed it twice with our Syrian, who is tame, when he was half asleep on the sofa and managed to snip the odd end of a nail off. After the vet trims them then having something rough like a stone should help keep them trim so it doesn't need doing again. Our Syrian is 2 and had a piece of rough granite under his water bottle and his nails never needed clipping until he got older and less active. So if you have something like a terracotta plant pot base under the food bowl or water bottle, he will walk on the rough surface every time he goes to eat or drink. This is the piece of granite I have - rodipet sell them - it's about 6" square and only costs £2 or £3 but the postage makes it more expensive as they come from Germany. They also make really good houses and some of those have the granite square as part of the roof which lifts off - but the houses are a bit expensive too. Otherwise - the stones you have and a sandbath and something rough under the water bottle should do the trick long term.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rodipet-Gra...odipet+granitw

(Prices have gone up a bit since the exchange rate with the euro got worse so it's now £4 plus £8 postage instead of £2 to £3 with £7 postage)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rodipet%C2%...odipet+granitw

You can also get these direct from the German site - I think it works out slightly cheaper and the delivery is quick when ordering direct too. I use google translate to copy and paste things I can't work out!

https://www.rodipet.de/shop/haeuser/rodipet-granit/

A terracotta plant pot base would be cheaper! I do love their houses though.